January 7, 2023
As the New Year unfolds, fitness centers are packed with determined individuals eager to kickstart their resolutions. From weight loss goals to “dry January” commitments and goals of establishing healthier daily routines, the enthusiasm for health and well-being is always at a high come the first of the year. Throughout the decades there have been diet and health fads that come and gone. Science is ever evolving; nutritional and health science is no different. Two unconventional methods have been making waves: fasting and cold-water therapy. At first glance, the prospect of deliberate starvation and shivering under frigid water may seem daunting and unattainable. However, it’s time to unveil the remarkable benefits and the science behind these practices can offer – from facilitating weight loss, enhancing mental clarity, mood to detoxifying the body and promoting longevity. Far from being unbearable challenges, fasting and cold-water therapies are powerful therapies that can lead to profound improvements in well-being and vitality.
It’s not a daily grind; I often break free on weekends. But occasionally, I go full throttle, followed by a well-deserved hiatus. It’s sustainable and has become my trusted routine as I gracefully age into my mid-fifties. Enter menopause, mood swings, and an unwelcome belly bulge – the perfect recipe for a dietary experiment. However, I love food, and the idea of fasting for several days was unappealing. A few of the functional medicine colleagues I work with introduced me to a concept: a science-backed fast-mimicking program ProlonR, created by longevity researcher Dr. Valter Longo. ProlonR backed by millions of dollars in clinical research, piqued my interest, especially given the company I work for Researched Nutritionals, thrives on third-party clinical research to ensure the efficacy of supplements. A few years back, I took the plunge and tried the 5-day fasting kit.
Fast forward to this past summer, with wedding bells ringing in the distance, I decided it was time for the wedding diet, to shed some weight and sculpt my physique, and rid the belly bulge. Let’s face it I am not 25 again, 30+ years later I needed all I could to do to pull off wearing a wedding dress again. So, I embarked on a consistent 16-hour intermittent fast coupled with a 5-day ProlonR fast, adding in daily doses of invigorating cold showers. You might wonder why I added in an icy cold shower while fasting would be a good idea, isn’t a fast enough suffering? Well, life and work was dishing out stress by the truckload at the time, and I needed another therapy to boost my mood and help me manage the stress. So, let’s about the science….. cold water therapy, amongst other health benefits, can stimulate the release of dopamine. Cold water gets your sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” into gear, cranking up the dopamine the “happy” neurotransmitter. Couple this with fasting that takes your body into a state of ketosis, which shakes up various neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine. It’s like giving your brain a turbo boost of happy. The result is, enhanced mood regulation, more of the “happy” neurotransmitter, and sharper focus, concentration, and alertness. Low dopamine levels have been linked to depression. Maybe, conventional psychologists and psychiatrists should consider adding cold water therapy and fasting to their toolkit instead of suggesting those SSRI prescriptions.
So, how did this dynamic duo work for me? A consistent 14-16 hour fast along with daily cold-water showers, plus one 5-day fast mimicking sequence, all in just 6 weeks. This supported my mood and reduced my stress, shrunk my waistline, and stuck a fork in the fat bulging belly sausage. My seamstress had to work her magic to cinch in my wedding dress dramatically. Woohoo, I was now excited to strut down the wedding aisle.
Now, here we are the start of a new year, and it’s time to embark on another 5-day fasting adventure. Today, January 7th marks Day 1 of the journey, accompanied by daily 3-minute cold-water showers for that added dopamine and metabolic zing. To ease into the fasting groove, I kicked off January 1st with a 14-hour intermittent fast, staying alcohol-free (well, except for that post-skiing beer yesterday), and concluded my showers with embracing 60-90 second cold-water finale. ProlonR science-based fast-mimicking system plays with our nutrient sensing pathways. It’s a kit that provides a tiny bit of food, akin to a 5-day food vacation, all supported by a partner. My husband, Alan, and I embarked on this journey together. Trust me; it’s easier to sip an 8oz. cup of soup for dinner when your partner is doing the same, rather than watching them relish a hearty meal while you twiddle your thumbs and call in every ounce of willpower. But fear not; you can absolutely do it solo if your partner isn’t quite ready to join in, if they’re supportive. Take a walk, engage in something positive, or share your journey on social media – support and accountability are your allies.
After your 5-day fast, cravings for carbs and sugar will likely take a dive, propelling you toward a healthier eating routine. Remember, “Health is an active pursuit, not a passive result.” Stay committed to a sustainable, healthier lifestyle ignited by a 5-day fast and a steady cold-water therapy routine. But don’t forget, occasional indulgences are essential for maintaining ongoing success.
Today, we’ve just scratched the surface on the benefits of fasting and cold-water therapy, touching on dopamine and why it matters. In my next article, we’ll delve even deeper into the science behind these therapies and explore how they turbocharge metabolism and fat burning. Plus, we’ll uncover the fascinating science behind cellular rejuvenation, mitochondrial health, and the pursuit of a longer, healthier life. So, stay tuned for the next episode of our incredible journey!
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