The immune system is on everyone’s mind right now. While nothing is guaranteed, a strong immune system is always a positive. Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) has been shown to help to boost your immune function. 

How can whole body cryotherapy help you strengthen your immune system, isn’t it exposure to extreme cold? Didn’t mum always say you’d get sick if you were out in the cold too long?

Well, WBC is nothing like standing outside in winter, so tell mum not to worry about that. 

There are five main reasons why WBC can help to boost your immunity. 

1. Increased circulation

Efficient blood circulation is essential to good health. As the cold (-130 °C) vapour encases your body in our CryoCabin™ your internal body temperature drops sending your body in to “fight or flight” mode. This has the effect of increasing your circulation, making your heart pump to full capacity, sending freshly oxygenated blood to your vital organs in order to protect them.  These organs benefit from this nutrient-filled blood helping them to function even more efficiently. This includes your immune system.  

2. Helps with the removal of toxins

In addition to the boost of enriched blood, the circulatory system also removes toxins, or waste from the body. The lymphatic system helps to move these products to the kidneys which as the job of disposing of them and sending them out as waste. Keeping the blood and body free of these toxins helps to maintain homeostasis, or equilibrium, within the body system which is beneficial to good health. 

3. Increased white blood cells means increased immune function 

Studies have shown that WBC can increase your white blood cell count. These cells are in your blood to fight infection, they are there to find and attack foreign invaders in your blood. 

4. Reduces inflammation

Inflammation is the often red, painful swelling you get if you injure yourself. Usually, there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s the process of healing, but occasionally it can go on too long and that can have a detrimental effect on your health. 

Whole body cryotherapy can help by lowering inflammation in the body. This is why WBC is so popular with athletes, it can help to reduce muscle swelling and soreness so they can get back to training as soon as possible.

5. Lowered cortisol

Cortisol is another one of those “too much of a good thing…”  reactions. This stress hormone has its place, infusing you with energy in the case of an emergency, and toning down more “non-essential” — at that moment — body functions. This is good if you are under attack by a lion or dog, but unfortunately today, non-life threatening stressors can also raise cortisol. Prolonged high levels of this hormone can lower the function of the immune system. 

Cryotherapy has the opposite effect on the body infusing it with endorphins, “the happy hormone.”  After a WBC session, most users are filled with energy and positivity, lowering cortisol and setting the immune system back on track. 

Help your immune system to help you. 

Stay safe.