Cold Showers, Ice Plunges and Cold Shoc Proteins

What are Cold Shock Proteins? Multifunctional RNA/DNA binding proteins, characterized by the presence of one or more cold shock domains.
Let’s break this down. What is RNA? The R Stands for ribo. The N stands for nuclei and the A stands for acid. What is ribonucleicacid? Ribonucleicacid is a polymeric molecule essential for biological functions.
What is a polymeric molecule? Giant molecules with high molecular weight that are composed of smaller molecules.
What are molecules? A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. L
et’s define DNA. The D stands for deoxyribo. The N stands for nuclei. The A stands acid. Deoxyribonucleic acid the genetic information inside a cell that helps make people who they are.
Let’s put RNA and DNA’s functionality as a working unit. DNA maintains the protein - encoding information. RNA uses the information to enable the cell to synthesize a particular protein. In simple terms DNA stores genetic information and RNA uses the information to help the cell produce protein.
What is a Cold Shock domain? A protein domain of of seventy give or take amino acids.
What is a biological domain? A specific physical region or amino acid sequence in a protein that is associated with a particular function or corresponding segment of DNA.
Now that we know what a biological domain is and what Cold Shock Proteins are the next question is what are the functions of Cold Shock Proteins?
Cold Shock Proteins assist the cell in adapting to sudden temperature change, allowing it to maintain as close to normal level of function as possible. Let me explain this with a more understandable approach. In the last blog I wrote about Mitophagy and Autophagy. The getting rid of parts of Mitochondria or the entire Mitochondria and replacing either or, with new more robust parts - or the whole Mitochondria itself. Mitophagy is facilitated through a transient stressor. If we look at the body at the cellular level, the body at the cellular level responds to transient stress, an example would be lifting weights. By the act of stress being put on the muscle a cellular adaptation occurs and in turn the cell at the level of the Mitochondria breaks down and rebuilds stronger just like muscle. When this adaptation happens a more robust Mitochondria is the result and that in turn makes the Mitochondria produce a greater and more robust output of ATP and that means more energy output at the cellular level which affects the body as a whole in a positive way.
Simply put, we are designed for transient stress.
How do we activate Cold Shock Proteins? We activate CSPs by putting our body in an environment of extreme cold for a short period of time. Once again this is a transient stress. How cold does a cold plunge (ice bath) have to be to activate CSPs? Fifty to fifty nine degrees Fahrenheit but can be as cold as thirty three degrees Fahrenheit.
For instance a temperature in the thirties one would stay three minutes and a temperature in the forty or fifty degree range on would stay five to ten minutes.
How does CSPs aid in weight loss? The stimulation of a certain protein production (UCP1) in brown fat. Brown fat is what we call adipose tissue and this tissue typically is around the mid-section. This type of fat keeps you warm when you get cold. Brown fat activates in cold temperatures and that turns on a caloric output.
How do CSPs affect the brain? When the body cools down significantly, it increases levels of RBM3. Simple terms. RBM3 is a molecule known as “ Cold Shock Proteins“. These proteins help protect the brain from damage and allows it to form new connections.
How does CSPs affect our immune system? CSPs play an important role in strengthening our immune system by helping draw immune cells ( white blood cells) to sites of inflammation. CSPs promote wound healing as well by helping the body to form scare tissue. Ice baths and cold showers both promote the production of CSPs and this helps  to slow down the aging process by calming the body’s inflammatory response.
RNA - 3 (Ribonucleicacid 3) we already defined RNA and RNA 3 is the third of the three types of RNA. All three RNA 1, 2 and 3 are involved in protein synthesis.
This Cold Shock Protein (3) is found in your brain, heart, liver and skeletal muscle. CSPs also helps to maintain muscle during periods of inactivity. CSPs can help with mood, sleep as cold exposure increases norepinephrine a neurotransmitter that can lead to feelings of calm and happiness as well as a sense of well-being.
Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are known to decrease in severity by the inducement of CSPs.
Stay tuned for my next blog.