Cold plunging to wellness

A novel cold water-immersion approach could help enhance autophagic responses and reduce apoptotic signaling.

In a study published in Advanced Biology, researchers assigned 10 male participants in their early to mid-20s to undergo a seven-day cold water acclimation protocol involving exposure to water at 14° C for 60 minutes. They then examined protein expression related to cytoprotective mechanisms by isolating the participants’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells prior to and following the cold water protocol.

The researchers found that by day seven, the protocol was effective at improving cytoprotective mechanisms — including decreased autophagic dysfunction, normalized apoptotic signaling, minimized inflammation and increased cold tolerance at the cellular level.

The findings indicated that cold water exposure could be a novel strategy to improve autophagic function and overall health.

Read more: Advanced Biology

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.