News
The Power of Cold
Cold has been used for millennia as a remedy for a number of ailments.
Therefore we shouldn't be surprised by a new report from the Leiden University in the Netherlands, that has linked global warming with a rise in type 2 diabetes. Numerous studies in the past few years have lent credence to the idea that artificial heat may be a contributing factor to obesity, as it has caused our metabolisms to slow down. The theory goes that of the two types of fat in the body (white and brown) brown fat burns calories, and there’s evidence to suggest that when you’re cold, brown fat is either produced, or activated. In our world of central heating and controlled environments, we simply aren’t cold often enough.
For example it’s easier to fall asleep in a cold environment than it is in a warm one, as a drop in core temperature signals that it’s time to go to sleep.
Central heating has created a “seasonless” existence which is having a detrimental effect on our immune systems. Experts recommend keeping inside temperatures at between 12C and 18C, which has the added benefit of reducing our energy consumption.
Various studies have shown the health benefits of a cold shower in the morning. These include reduced stress, weight loss, and even increased productivity. Indeed, doing it is hard, and doing hard things first thing may make you procrastinate less.
Finally, Inspector Montalbano may be right in seeking inspiration while swimming in the sea, no matter the season. It's a fact that the cold shock can boost the immune system, improve mental health by stimulating endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, and reduce uric acid, which means it’s easier to cope with stress. And you'll catch the killer.
Therefore we shouldn't be surprised by a new report from the Leiden University in the Netherlands, that has linked global warming with a rise in type 2 diabetes. Numerous studies in the past few years have lent credence to the idea that artificial heat may be a contributing factor to obesity, as it has caused our metabolisms to slow down. The theory goes that of the two types of fat in the body (white and brown) brown fat burns calories, and there’s evidence to suggest that when you’re cold, brown fat is either produced, or activated. In our world of central heating and controlled environments, we simply aren’t cold often enough.
For example it’s easier to fall asleep in a cold environment than it is in a warm one, as a drop in core temperature signals that it’s time to go to sleep.
Central heating has created a “seasonless” existence which is having a detrimental effect on our immune systems. Experts recommend keeping inside temperatures at between 12C and 18C, which has the added benefit of reducing our energy consumption.
Various studies have shown the health benefits of a cold shower in the morning. These include reduced stress, weight loss, and even increased productivity. Indeed, doing it is hard, and doing hard things first thing may make you procrastinate less.
Finally, Inspector Montalbano may be right in seeking inspiration while swimming in the sea, no matter the season. It's a fact that the cold shock can boost the immune system, improve mental health by stimulating endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, and reduce uric acid, which means it’s easier to cope with stress. And you'll catch the killer.