Using Cryotherapy for Weight Loss

To most sane humans, being in an enclosed tank of extremely cold temperatures (down to below freezing) doesn’t sound all that appealing.

But, what if you only had to endure that feat for a mere three minutes to effectively increase your metabolism?

Whole body cryotherapy is a fast but intense procedure that results in weight loss if done consistently. So if you’re currently exercising actively or not, the weight loss benefits can be enjoyed either way!

We’ll discuss what cryotherapy is and how the freezing temperatures can directly and indirectly assist with weight loss.

How Does Whole Body Cryotherapy Work?

In 1978, Professor Toshiro Yamaguchi theorised whole body cryotherapy in Japan. This procedure was first used to try and treat rheumatoid arthritis, but various other health benefits came to light through the practice, too.

Whole body cryotherapy consists of stepping into the cryosauna wearing only underwear and coverings for extremities like hands, feet, head and ears. The tank is closed around you and a fine liquid nitrogen mist is emitted for as long as three minutes. Your head sticks out above the chamber, so only your body is contained, submerged in the below zero temperatures.

The liquid nitrogen causes the skin temperature to decrease to about 10°C, but the body’s core temperature doesn’t change.

How Three Minutes of Cryotherapy Can Help You Lose Weight

Being exposed to freezing temperatures triggers the release of brown adipose tissue (BAT) by the brain. This is a bodily substance that burns excess fat to create energy.

Cryotherapy works for weight loss because the fat cells become frozen and die. They get flushed out of the body by the liver forever.

The Journal of Obesity found that consistent cryotherapy initiates cold-induced thermogenesis. During this process, the body creates heat as a response to the cold. A 3% average of body mass was recorded overall.

Metabolising extra calories can help to kickstart a weight loss journey, or just help you get rid of the last few kilograms that just won’t budge. Cryotherapy done consistently is said to increase your metabolism.

How Cryotherapy Can Help With Weight Loss Thanks To Faster Muscle Recovery

Ice packs are often placed on inflamed muscles to soothe them, and the extreme coldness of cryotherapy does the same thing on a more elevated level.

The cold triggers the vascular system to send blood towards the internal organs to protect them from freezing. So, the blood is directed away from the painful site rather than towards it, reducing inflammatory cytokines. If the cytokines don’t reach the painful area, the inflammation that causes swelling and pain doesn’t occur.

This can be particularly beneficial for those who participate in regular exercise. Quicker pain relief and recovery mean shorter periods of downtime are needed between training sessions.

Weight loss goals can be accelerated if fewer rest days are needed so you can exercise more regularly.

How Cryotherapy Leads to Better Sleep, Which Promotes Weight Loss

Cryotherapy increases norepinephrine production in the body. This hormone influences the sleep cycle and initiates a lighter sleep called REM sleep which ​​stimulates the areas in the brain connected to learning.

Cryotherapy also releases endorphins, which together with the freshly filtered blood that’s oxygen-rich, can make falling asleep faster and easier. Achieving deeper REM levels can keep you peacefully asleep for longer.

Adults that get too little sleep can have a slower metabolism and increased appetite. So, consistent cryotherapy can help you have a good night’s sleep, resulting in weight loss in the long term.

How Cryotherapy Can Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite

Dimpled skin is known as cellulite and is a result of a breakdown of collagen. Collagen keeps the skin elastic and prevents sagging, and it keeps our bones, nails and hair strong.

As the body gets older, it produces less collagen. This can result in wrinkly skin and cellulite and softer, more brittle hair and nails. Cryotherapy activates collagen production in skin, bones, tendons, blood vessels, ligaments, and even your teeth! So, increased collagen can break down cellulite and improve the elasticity and pore size of the skin.

As discussed above where fat tissue gets broken down by cryotherapy, any fat located below the cellulite can become dissolved over time, reducing the cellulite’s appearance.

Key Takeaways

If you can’t possibly spend any more time, energy and effort on trying to be healthy and lose weight than you already do, cryotherapy might just be the perfect solution.

Only three minutes of treatment can supplement an exercise program and a healthy diet. Or, if you’re not currently training, the extra calories burned during weekly cryo can significantly impact weight loss, long-term.

Consistent cryotherapy can freeze and kill fat cells over time. Your liver excretes them so they are completely discarded from the body.

Cryotherapy offers pain relief and speedy muscle recovery. With less stiffness and soreness between training sessions, you will be able to train harder and more often.

Not getting enough sleep is linked to a bigger appetite and a slower metabolism. Cryotherapy can help you to fall asleep quicker and stay asleep for longer.

Lastly, cryotherapy can increase collagen production, which nourishes the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite.

Holistically, there are many benefits that can be experienced from putting yourself through three minutes of cool discomfort. Try it out today and see for yourself.

DISCLAIMER

The information on this website is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Author bio:

Michael Nguyen - Founder & Owner of Feel Good Nation

Nyugen was working in hospitality and nightclubs for over 10 years when he needed a change. His daily smile started to shift towards a smirk after the long nights starting from 11pm and finishing at 7am, dealing with drunk people.

One Friday Nuggin tried his first float, finishing at 5:30pm on one of the busiest streets in Sydney. Prior to the float he was full of road rage, blasting music and just bitter in general. After the float he realised he had nothing on, and drove home, with no music, no road rage, smiling and waving as people tried to cut in front, and had the best sleep of the year. It was at this point he realised he needed a change, and started to look more into floating and health in general.