Cold Exposure for Cancer Treatment (3 Promising Signs)

The conventional treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are effective but come with a host of side effects.

Do you see where I’m going here?

Recent studies suggest that cold exposure for cancer, notably through methods like ice baths and cryotherapy, may offer an alternative pathway in combating tumor growth.

This article delves into the science behind cold exposure and its potential impact on cancer treatment.

A Breakthrough Study from Sweden

While cold exposure for the purpose of health isn’t a new concept, its impact on cancer has largely been speculative until a landmark study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden presented some eye-opening findings.

The Experiment

Led by Professor Yihai Cao at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, the study involved implanting various types of cancer cells into mice.

The mice were then divided into two groups: a control group kept in normal temperatures and a test group exposed to cold temperatures. After 20 days, the results were nothing short of remarkable.

BAT Activation and Cold Exposure for Cancer

The Swedish team went beyond just noting the effects, diving into the mechanisms that could explain these surprising results. They focused on Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT), which became activated in the cold-exposed mice.

Remarkably, when BAT was activated, it started consuming glucose, directly competing with cancer cells, which require glucose to grow. The glucose levels in the tumors were barely detectable, thereby inhibiting tumor growth.

The Role of Glucose and Protein Synthesis

Another fascinating discovery was how cold temperatures affected protein synthesis within the tumors.

Cold-induced vasoconstriction, the narrowing of blood vessels, deprived the tumor cells of the oxygen and nutrients they needed, effectively inhibiting their ability to make proteins and sustain themselves.

Confirming with Human Trials

To further validate the significance of their findings, the researchers conducted tests with human subjects, including a cancer patient.

Through Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, they observed significant activation of BAT in healthy volunteers exposed to a cooler room temperature.

In the cancer patient who underwent the test, lowered tumor glucose uptake was recorded when exposed to lower temperatures (Seki et al., 2022).

Implications for Future Cancer Treatment

The research opens up exciting avenues for cancer treatment, potentially creating a whole new field of “cold therapy” for cancer patients.

However, as Professor Yihai Cao noted, further clinical studies are essential to validate these initial findings.

But the initial results give more than a glimmer of hope that adjusting our external environment might one day become a valuable tool in the fight against cancer.

The Role of Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT)

While the medical community has been exploring different avenues for cancer treatment, Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) has emerged as a focal point of interest, especially in the context of cold exposure.

What is BAT?

Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT), also known simply as brown fat, is a type of fat predominantly located under the skin. Unlike its counterpart, white fat, which stores excess calories, BAT is specialized in burning calories to generate heat.

This occurs through a process known as thermogenesis. BAT is rich in mitochondria and myoglobin, which give it its brown color and enable it to burn calories more efficiently.

How is BAT Activated?

Cold exposure is one of the primary activators of BAT. When you’re exposed to cold temperatures, the body activates BAT to generate heat and maintain body temperature. This is accomplished through the oxidation of free fatty acids and glucose.

BAT and Disease Prevention

Interestingly, the activation of BAT has been linked to various health benefits. Studies have shown that BAT can help lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes by regulating free fatty acids.

Additionally, it has been associated with cell longevity, making it a subject of ongoing research in anti-aging and cellular health.

BAT’s Role in Tumor Inhibition

But the most exciting aspect of BAT, particularly for cancer research, is its potential role in inhibiting tumor growth. Here’s how:

1. Competition for Glucose: Cancer cells are notoriously glucose-hungry. When BAT is activated, it too starts consuming glucose to generate heat. Essentially, BAT and cancer cells are in direct competition for this crucial energy source. The activated BAT can deprive tumors of the glucose they need for growth, thus slowing down or even halting the expansion of the tumor (Seki et al., 2022).

2. Cellular Stress Responses: Studies have indicated that cold exposure increases cell lifespan by activating stress response pathways. These pathways protect cells from damage, potentially creating an environment less conducive for cancer cells to thrive.

By impacting these crucial aspects of tumor growth, BAT becomes an exciting avenue for researchers looking for novel approaches to cancer treatment.

Anecdotal Evidence: The Dean Hall Case

A Terminal Diagnosis and a River Swim

Dean Hall received a terminal leukemia diagnosis that would prompt many to seek conventional treatment methods or palliative care.

However, Hall chose a different path.

Grieving the loss of his wife to a brain tumor and motivated to inspire other cancer patients, he set out to swim the entire length of the Willamette River in Oregon.

It wasn’t just a physical feat; it turned out to be a journey that raised questions about alternative approaches to cancer treatment.

Glucose Deprivation and Ketosis

As Dean prepared and then executed his long swim, it became evident he was spending days in a continuous state of glucose depletion.

A medical team supervising his feat noted that his body was likely switching to a fat-burning metabolic pathway called ketosis.

This shift is crucial because, according to the metabolic theory of cancer, cancer cells primarily rely on glucose for energy.

By pushing his body into a ketogenic state, Dean was essentially starving the cancer cells of their primary energy source.

Synergy with the Swedish Study

Dean’s anecdotal experience finds an intriguing echo in the scientific research conducted by the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Their study found that cold exposure activated Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT), which then competes with cancer cells for glucose (Seki et al., 2022).

In Dean’s case, not only was his body using fat for energy, thereby depriving the cancer cells of glucose, but the cold water he swam in may have activated BAT, serving a similar function.

Skepticism and Caution

It’s important to remember that Dean’s case is anecdotal and not a substitute for rigorous scientific research. While his story is compelling, it’s also possible that other factors contributed to his cancer going into remission.

An Unintended Experiment

While not scientifically controlled, Dean Hall’s journey presents an exciting example of what could potentially be a new avenue for cancer treatment.

The confluence of his case with emerging scientific evidence makes the study of cold exposure and its metabolic effects on cancer all the more compelling.

Conclusion

Bridging the Gap between Science and Experience

What’s most striking about the findings from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the story of Dean Hall is that they converge at a fascinating intersection of science and lived experience (Seki et al., 2022).

Both lines of evidence—although differing in their rigor and control—point to the powerful potential of metabolic alteration, particularly through cold exposure and glucose deprivation, in influencing the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

The Emergence of Metabolic Therapies

These insights pave the way for what could become a new class of metabolic therapies for cancer treatment.

By shifting our focus from solely killing cancer cells through traditional means like chemotherapy to altering the very metabolic pathways that feed these cells, we may open up new avenues for treatment.

This is particularly important given the often debilitating side effects of existing cancer treatments.

A Word of Caution

While the initial findings are promising, it’s crucial to approach them with caution. Dean Hall’s story, as inspiring as it is, remains anecdotal and should not be considered as definitive proof of the efficacy of cold exposure or glucose deprivation in treating cancer.

Larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed to substantiate these early findings and understand the limitations and potential side effects of such treatments.

The Future of Cancer Treatment

With additional research, particularly in human subjects, we may be able to move from the realm of ‘promising’ to that of ‘proven.’

Whether or not cold exposure or similar metabolic interventions become mainstream treatments, their investigation expands our understanding of cancer metabolism and offers hope for more effective and less invasive options.

Taken together, both the scientific and anecdotal evidence point to an exciting, albeit preliminary, frontier in the quest for more effective cancer treatments.

As research continues to unfold, it will be critical to keep an open yet critical mind about the therapeutic potential of metabolic alterations.

*Your Call to Action

Step 1: Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Before embarking on any new health regimen, especially one that could have significant metabolic effects like cold exposure, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider. This is especially true for cancer patients or those with other chronic conditions.

Step 2: Choose Your Method

Cold therapy can take many forms, from ice baths and cold plunges to more advanced methods like cryotherapy. Each method has its own advantages, so consider what’s most suitable for your lifestyle, budget, and comfort level.

Step 3: Start Gradually

If you’re new to cold exposure, it’s important to ease into it. Start with cold showers, then gradually move to more advanced techniques like ice baths or cryotherapy sessions. The aim is to adapt your body progressively to cold temperatures without causing undue stress.

Step 4: Monitor Your Response

Keep a log of how your body responds to each session. Note any changes in how you feel, both physically and emotionally. This can help you adjust your approach and also provide valuable information to your healthcare provider.

Step 5: Practice Consistency

Like any form of therapy, the benefits of cold exposure are most likely to be realized through consistent practice. Aim for regular sessions, but be mindful of your body’s signals. Overdoing it can be harmful.

Step 6: Stay Informed

Research on the effects of cold exposure, especially in the context of cancer therapy, is still in its infancy. Stay updated on the latest studies to make sure you’re making informed choices about your health.

By taking a proactive approach, you could potentially tap into a host of benefits that cold exposure offers, ranging from increased calorie burn to, possibly, a new frontier in cancer treatment. Always proceed under the guidance of a healthcare provider to ensure that you’re not putting yourself at risk.

Get Cold.™ 🥶

References

• Seki, T., et al. (2022). Brown-fat-mediated tumor suppression by cold-altered global metabolism. Nature. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05030-3.

• Seager, T. P. (2022, August 13). Ice Bath Cryotherapy for Cancer. https://www.morozkoforge.com/post/ice-bath-cryotherapy-for-cancer