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Autoimmune Disorders
Origins
Until the 1950s, It was not widely recognized that an immune response could be developed not only against "foreign" but also "self" antigens, leading to the acceptance of autoimmune diseases. Allergy and anaphylaxis were the first discoveries signaling that the immune system was capable of damaging itself. That is, when the body's own immune system begins
attacking healthy cells, this results in what is called an autoimmune disorder. Since then, it has been understood that autoantibodies are key contributors to autoimmune disease development and are responsible for systemic inflammation and tissue injury (Ahsan, 2023). Other predisposing factors include genetic background, hormonal status, pathogens, and xenobiotic exposures (Bolon, 2012). Could Cold Compensate for Vitamin D Insufficiency? also explains how many autoimmune disorders, including Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's, allergy, asthma and Parkinson's are associated with deficiencies in Vitamin D during infancy, when the immune system is developing most rapidly.
Mechanisms
It is found that both genetic and environmental factors influence the development of autoimmune disorders. These factors impact autoimmune susceptibility through three key mechanisms: the overall reactivity of the immune system, the specific antigen and its presentation, and the target issue (Marrack et al., 2001). Another study suggest that autoimmune disorders are characterized by "aberrant T cell and B cell reactivity to the body’s own components", leading to widespread tissue destruction and organ dysfunction (Song et al., 2024)
Symptoms
Autoimmune disorders may potentially impact several organs and tissues, such as blood vessels, connective tissue, endocrine glands, muscles, joints, skin, and red blood cells. This makes autoimmune disorders difficult to diagnose, because while specific disorders may have numerous possible symptoms, individual symptoms often vary depending on the affected body part. Many types of autoimmune diseases cause fatigue, redness, swelling, heat and pain (Kumar et al., 2024).
Treatment approaches and outcomes for most autoimmune disorders have substantially improved over the last twenty years. However, morbidity and death rates remain high for many patients despite treatment, indicating gaps in the current management protocols. For most autoimmune diseases, the realistic treatment goals are symptom management and quality of life improvement, often through medications. Despite these medical advances, achieving a cure or sustained remission continues to be difficult for the majority of systemic autoimmune disorders (Chandrashekara, 2012).
Reordering Immune Disorders explains how cold plunge therapy may ameliorate or reverse chronic, degenerative autoimmune disorders. Cold plunge can help compensate for lack of Vitamin D, often found in people living in extreme latitudes with less sunlight, by charging up immune system function. Cold exposure also helps to rebuild brown fat stores, which receives signals from thyroid cells to metabolize white fat for heat production. This process is called thermogenesis.
Despite the complex etiologies and variety found in autoimmune disorders, cold plunge therapy offers benefits across the full range of immunopathologies. For example, fibromyalgia patients have reported improvement in symptoms, including pain-relief, after attempting whole-body cold-water immersion. In other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cold plunge has helped to reduce pain and inflammation. For multiple sclerosis patients, cooling through ice baths has also been found to relieve pain, improve motor control, extend endurance, relieve cognitive dysfunction, and help with muscle weakness and symptoms of fatigue. Additionally, thermogenesis from cold plunging can help to regulate thyroid activity and balance hormone production for certain autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's.
Hashimoto's
There have been case studies proving that certain autoimmune disorders that were once thought to be permanent and degenerative, like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, can be significantly improved through cold plunge therapy. For example, The Cold Connection to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis shares details of how Courtney Hunt was able to reverse her condition with a ketogenic diet and cold plunge practice. Since then, she has been able to discontinue her thyroid medications and is free of symptoms and blood markers regarding her prior diagnosis.
Multiple Sclerosis
Cold Plunge Therapy for MS explains how former Navy Seal Justin Hoagland was able to overcome his crippling diagnosis of multiple sclerosis after implementing a daily practice of ice baths. He is now no longer dependent on a wheelchair, has begun working out again, and can show up for his family again. This could be due to the fact that cold therapy counteracts overheating in MS patients, which has been
well-known to be considered dangerous for those suffering from MS for decades. Multiple Sclerosis Relief expresses how Julie Blew, FUMS Inc. Founder, has found relief in her ice bath practice as well. She now considers her ice bath "her new best friend" and is in and out of her ice bath "20 times a day".
Rheumatoid Arthritis
In another instance, cold therapy offered alleviation of symptoms for Erin Miller, a registered nurse who often suffers from severe pain due to her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Given her expert training in medication safety, she resisted taking steroids and pain medications as a treatment option. Once she discovered cold plunge therapy, her symptoms disappeared. In fact, after just 2-3 minutes of full-body cold water immersion, she no longer had pain in her hands for the first time in almost 5 years. Cold Plunge for Chronic Medical Conditions explains how this could be due to the reversal of immune system dysfunction through cold plunging, reducing chronic inflammation.
Type 1 Diabetes, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, allergies, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease) are also now understood as originating in disorders of the immune system. While there have not been case studies done explicitly for these autoimmune disorders, Re-ordering Autoimmune Disorders gives further information on how cold plunge therapy is positively impacting those effected with these diseases and may serve as an alternate treatment method.
To learn more on the effects of cold therapy & the mechanisms of ice baths against autoimmune disease, click here to purchase a copy of Uncommon Cold.
References
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Ahsan H. Origins and history of autoimmunity—A brief review. Rheumatology & Autoimmunity. 2023 Mar 30;3(01):9-14.
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Bolon B. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of autoimmune disease. Toxicologic pathology. 2012 Feb;40(2):216-29.
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Chandrashekara S. The treatment strategies of autoimmune disease may need a different approach from conventional protocol: a review. Indian journal of pharmacology. 2012 Nov 1;44(6):665-71.
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Kumar S, Kaushik D, Sharma SK. Autoimmune disorders: Types, symptoms, and risk factors. Artificial intelligence and autoimmune diseases: applications in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. 2024 Feb 14:3-1.
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Marrack P, Kappler J, Kotzin BL. Autoimmune disease: why and where it occurs. Nature medicine. 2001 Aug;7(8):899-905.
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Song Y, Li J, Wu Y. Evolving understanding of autoimmune mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies of autoimmune disorders. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2024 Oct 4;9(1):263.
The statements found within this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements, along with the products of Morozko Forge, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The testimonials and information included in this website is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider.
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