[Ice Baths] Using Cold to Improve Metabolic Resilience w/ Dr. Thomas Seager, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash #762
Aug 28, 2024
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Dr. Thomas Seager, an associate professor at Arizona State University, discusses the engineering of cold plunges to enhance metabolic health. The conversation dives into the connection between environment and health, especially the role of clean water. They explore the impact of cold exposure on brown fat and metabolism, alongside raising questions about public health assumptions during the pandemic. Seager shares insights on how ice baths can improve mental well-being and metabolic resilience, all while highlighting the chilling trend's rise during recent years.
Dr. Thomas Seager's engineering background guides his innovative approach to developing advanced ice bath technology for health improvement.
Cold exposure is crucial for enhancing metabolic health and mitochondrial function, potentially countering rising metabolic disorders in the U.S.
The podcast highlights the importance of water and air quality on public health, advocating for stricter standards to improve overall well-being.
Deep dives
Dr. Thomas Seager's Background and Cold Plunge Technology
Dr. Thomas Seager, an engineering professor with a focus in public health, discusses his journey from engineering to creating advanced cold plunge technology. His initial interest was sparked during a seminar where discussions on cold exposure and its effects on health ignited a curiosity that led to the development of high-end ice baths. He emphasizes how his engineering mindset aids in problem-solving related to health, particularly in metabolic function and physiological responses. This background allows him to view health and wellness through a unique lens, combining engineering principles with biological health optimization.
Cold Exposure and Metabolic Health
The conversation delves into the significant impact of cold exposure on metabolic health, where ice baths are highlighted as a tool for enhancing metabolic function. Dr. Seager discusses the alarming rates of metabolic disorders in the United States and how cold exposure can help counteract these issues by boosting mitochondrial health. Specific practices, such as non-shivering thermogenesis, are described as crucial for stimulating brown fat, which plays a vital role in energy expenditure and overall metabolic efficiency. This section navigates the correlation between cold exposure and improving physiological responses to everyday stressors.
The Importance of Water Quality
Dr. Seager emphasizes the critical importance of water quality in maintaining health and discusses the inadequacies of current water standards. He shares insights into how historical cholera outbreaks shaped modern water quality regulations, which he believes are now insufficient for optimal health. The discussion includes the negative impact of chlorine and other contaminants found in tap water that can lead to adverse health outcomes, including potential long-term carcinogenic effects. This highlights a need for stricter water quality standards to promote better health outcomes and urges individuals to consider their water consumption proactively.
Air Quality and Environmental Health
The podcast touches on air quality and its significant effects on public health, exploring how living conditions and environmental factors determine health outcomes. Dr. Seager stresses that people often overlook the direct links between air pollution and various health issues, including mental health crises. He notes that socioeconomic factors play a role in determining neighborhood quality, potentially leading to worse health outcomes for those living in polluted areas. This conversation serves to increase awareness of environmental health as a crucial component in understanding overall well-being.
Metabolism's Role in Mental Health
A significant focus is placed on the relationship between metabolism and mental health, where Dr. Seager argues that improving metabolic health can alleviate mental health issues. He explains how essential metabolic efficiency is for brain function and the impact it has on conditions such as anxiety and depression. The discussion introduces the concept of using dietary modifications, including ketogenic diets, alongside cold exposure to enhance metabolic function and, consequently, mental health. The exploration emphasizes an integrative approach to mental wellness that includes physical conditions and lifestyle adjustments.
The Mechanisms of Testosterone and Cold Exposure
Dr. Seager explores the relationship between cold exposure and testosterone levels, revealing insights from recent research on how cold therapy can boost testosterone production. He explains that proper cold exposure techniques can positively affect luteinizing hormone levels, which in turn stimulate testosterone synthesis. Sharing personal anecdotes, he details how he used cold plunges and dietary modifications to combat health concerns, eventually leading to an improvement in his testosterone levels. This highlights the interconnectedness of cold exposure, hormonal health, and overall physical vitality.
Thomas P Seager is an associate professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University.
Seager leads research teams working at the boundaries of engineering and social science to understand innovation for resilient infrastructure systems, including the life-cycle environmental consequences of emerging energy technologies, novel approaches to teamwork and communication in socio-technical integrative settings, and engineering ethics education.
Current research sponsors include the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and several industry partners. Seager is the faculty director of the Resource Innovation Solutions Network (RISN), a partnership of between ASU, City of Phoenix and other local municipalities for fostering circular, closed-loop economies.
RISN operates a vertical incubator to nurture entrepreneurs that will accelerate the transition to a Circular Economy. Additionally, Seager serves as chairman and CEO of eXperiential Sustainability Ethics Training (XSETGames, LLC), which creates digital simulations for examining economic and ethical dimensions of wicked problems including pharmaceutical pricing, technological innovation, intergenerational equity and the Tragedy of the Commons.
These simulations have been used by corporations, government agencies, and higher education clients, including dozens of Universities on three different continents.
Lastly, Seager founded the non-profit Sustainability Conoscente Network as a mechanism for sharing knowledge related to systems approaches to sustainable technologies. The Conoscente holds the International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology in May of every year.
