Optimal Health Uncovered

E6: Can cryotherapy help boost my immunity?

June 23, 2020 Performance
Optimal Health Uncovered
E6: Can cryotherapy help boost my immunity?
Show Notes Transcript

In this episode, Todd and Mike are again joined by Performance recovery specialist, Zack Buechner where they discuss cryotherapy and its benefits.  They discuss what cryotherapy is and its uses as well as who should avoid cryotherapy.  Todd and Mike review some of the literature and research over cryotherapy and how it can improve respiratory function, prevent disease, and boost the immune system.  Cryotherapy and its effect on hormone and cortisol levels are also reviewed in this episode. 

What is cryotherapy? Cooling strategy to impart a metabolic effect on the body (1:40)

Forms of cryotherapy (2:05)

Stimulate sympathetic and autonomic nervous system (2:40)

Hormesis on the body (3:10)

Fight or flight response on the body (3:45)

Why do you use cryotherapy? 1. Brain Health 2. Fat Loss 3. Longevity 4. Recovery from athletic performance 5. Enhancing the immune response (5:10)

Cold shock thermogenesis and norepinephrine (5:20)

Cryotherapy stimulates brain function (5:45)

Norepinephrine and mood and depression and ADHD (6:00)

Cryotherapy and its effect on fat loss and cell metabolism (6:30)

Mitochondria and adipose tissue (7:25)

White fat where excess calories are stored and brown fat tissues which is where weight loss would occur (7:40)

Why is brown fat important? It can help with longevity (9:10)

Shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis (9:25)

Longevity in the body and how cryotherapy can boost it (9:50)

Common questions for cryotherapy and optimal health (11:00)

Alzheimers disease and how cryotherapy helps (11:20)

RMB3 and protein synthesis (11:30)

Cryotherapy for recovery and athletic performance (12:00)

Flushing out the body and lactic acid reduction using cryotherapy (12:30)

Difference between cold immersion

Is cryotherapy bad right after training? (13:45)

Pro-inflammatory response (15:00)

Crossfit, row or crew, marathon runners will see benefits for cryotherapy (15:55)

Cryotherapy and enhancing the immune response and boosting immunity (16:40)

Cryotherapy can help stimulate white blood cell count and fight infection (17:05)

T-lymphocytes and fighting cancer and COVID-19 in the use of cryotherapy (17:32)

How to match the right patient to the right modality (18:30)

Contraindications for cryotherapy (18:40)

Heart issues, COPD, liver disease (18:50)

Raynaud’s Disease, claustrophobia, and perspiration are contraindicated (19:45)

How Antonio Brown developed frostbite in a cryotherapy tank (20:10)

Cool down or stop perspiring before entering cryotherapy chamber (21:00)

How do we know cryotherapy is right for a patient?  Evaluating goals first (21:55)

Parasympathetic system reaction (22:20)

Cryotherapy research is strongest for use on arthritis patients (22:50)

Improved sleep patterns when using cryotherapy (24:22)

Differences between cryotherapy and an ice bag or other forms of cooling the body (25:50)

Local cryotherapy and cryofacials (26:15)

Improved production of collagen when using cryotherapy for a cryofacial (27:30)

Ice baths and cryotherapy (28:10)