Cold water immersion is gaining traction for its touted benefits, but it's not without peril. The plunge can trigger dangerous heart conditions like coronary spasms, especially in those with endothelial dysfunction. The concept of 'autonomic conflict' complicates matters further, as both nervous system branches engage simultaneously. Litigation is on the rise due to sudden cardiac incidents linked to this practice. Safer alternatives, such as progressive cold showering, are recommended for those seeking similar benefits without the associated risks.
18:26
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Effects of Cold Water Immersion
Cold water immersion can slightly improve mood and reduce muscle soreness after exercise.
It causes a rise in heart rate and blood pressure but has mixed effects on aerobic performance.
insights INSIGHT
Coronary Spasm Risks
Cold water exposure triggers coronary artery spasms causing heart attacks and sudden cardiac death.
Coronary arteries are very cold sensitive and spasm within seconds to minutes of cold exposure.
insights INSIGHT
Endothelial Dysfunction Explained
Endothelial dysfunction makes arteries prone to spasm and is common in most adults.
It is caused by factors like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, poor diet, and lack of certain nutrients.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health
William Davis
In this book, Dr. William Davis argues that wheat is the single largest contributor to the nationwide obesity epidemic and that its elimination is key to dramatic weight loss and optimal health. He provides a user-friendly, step-by-step plan to navigate a new wheat-free lifestyle, supported by cutting-edge science and nutrition, as well as case studies from patients who have experienced significant health improvements after giving up wheat. The book exposes the harmful effects of modern wheat and offers practical advice on how to adopt a wheat-free diet to achieve better health and disease resistance.
Super Gut
A Four-Week Plan to Reprogram Your Microbiome, Restore Health, and Lose Weight
William Davis
In 'Super Gut', Dr. William Davis connects the dots between gut health and modern ailments, highlighting the impact of highly processed diets, pesticides, and overuse of antibiotics on the human microbiome. The book provides a four-week plan to reprogram the microbiome, including more than forty recipes, a diet plan, and resources to correct gut issues and maintain long-term health and well-being. It also discusses the silent epidemic of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and its wide-ranging health consequences.
The practice of immersing your body in ice water is growing in popularity based on claims of improved mood and well-being, muscle recovery after exercise, even longevity. But this ignores the well-established fact that sudden cardiac death is a real risk due to coronary spasm, causing heart attack, and unstable heart rhythms due to a situation called autonomic conflict. There are a growing number of lawsuits that have been filed for the many sudden cardiac deaths that have occurred. So let’s discuss what we know about this concept of cold water immersion and why it is such a dangerous practice.
• Immersion in water around 15°C/60°F triggers dangerous physiological responses • Cold exposure causes coronary arteries to spasm, potentially leading to heart attack • Most adults have some degree of endothelial dysfunction, making them vulnerable • "Autonomic conflict" occurs when both nervous system branches activate simultaneously • Multiple lawsuits have been filed over deaths from ice baths and polar plunges • Safer alternatives exist for achieving the claimed benefits of cold exposure • Cold showering (starting warm and gradually cooling) may offer similar benefits with less risk
For BiotiQuest probiotics including Sugar Shift, go here.
A 15% discount is available for Defiant Health podcast listeners by entering discount code UNDOC15 (case-sensitive) at checkout.* _________________________________________________________________________________ Get your 15% Paleovalley discount on fermented grass-fed beef sticks, Bone Broth Collagen, low-carb snack bars and other high-quality organic foods here.*
For 12% off every order of grass-fed and pasture-raised meats from Wild Pastures, go here.
Defiant Health Radio with Dr. William Davis 
