Professor Sergei Bubnovski, who specializes in Chinese medicine at the University of Moscow, examined the different ways to strengthen the immune system and discovered a particularly effective one. This method involves foot bathing in ice cold water daily.
In Finnish culture, ice baths are commonplace. There are many public places that offer the combination dipped in the frozen water followed by a relaxation session. This may seem surprising but this type of bathing stimulates the body and represents a real source of well-being.
The benefits of cold water
Although many are reluctant to take a cold shower, studies have shown that cold water has many health benefits. When they are cool or even cold, water and temperature increase levels of antioxidants and help sleep better. Indeed, contact with cold water (shower, bath or bath) increases glutathione, a powerful antioxidant made by the body.
The American philosopher and poet Henry David Thoreau, who had long suffered from depression, was a great adept at immersions in cold water. He regularly took baths in the Walden Pond in Massachusetts, USA, made famous by him, to overcome his black thoughts. Teams of researchers from the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Virginia Commonwealth's Faculty of Medicine have demonstrated that cold showers stimulate norepinephrine secretion in the brain, a hormone that supports small blood vessels and has Same effect as an antidepressant.
Cold therapy is also an effective way to reduce swelling in athletes after providing intense effort including marathon runners and cyclists. It is also common knowledge that endurance athletes regularly resort to ice baths to recover faster, avoid stiffness and be able to train at high intensity at close intervals.
A study was also conducted in Prague and brought together a group of young athletes accustomed to cold baths. They were asked to take baths with a water temperature of 14 ° C three times a week for six weeks. At the end of this experiment, it was found that the number of white blood cells (monocytes and lymphocytes), which destroy the pathogens, has increased.
Immune System Stimulation
The famous Russian physiotherapist, Professor Sergey Bubnowsky, strongly recommends foot baths with ice water to benefit from the virtues of cold water to strengthen the immune system.
This method stimulates the body's defenses and prevents infections such as colds and flu.
Simply fill a basin with cold water and add many ice cubes for an icy effect. Soak your feet in for up to 15 seconds, then dry them and put on socks to warm them up.
For best results, repeat this procedure daily before bedtime.
If you are sick, it is advisable to do foot baths with ice water every 4 hours to relieve the ailments you are suffering from. Prof. Bubnowsky strongly recommends cold foot baths for their ability to strengthen the immune system. This may seem incompatible with the common cold. Yet this method is very effective.
If cold water is so recommended it is because it anesthesia, calms the pain, reduces inflammation and tones the skin. Moreover, it promotes the secretion of endorphins, which makes it possible to combat stress and promote the feeling of well-being.
It is also recommended for people who suffer from disorders related to blood circulation.
Moreover, each cold shower allows to burn about 150 calories because the grease is mobilized and melts when it is in contact with the cold. Cardiologist and nutritionist Frederic Saldmann estimates that three minutes under a jet of cold water can lose up to 200 calories.
While hot showers and foot baths with warm water are more enjoyable, you can alternate with cold or even cold water and enjoy many health benefits. You will not regret it !