Recent research by the University of Cambridge could show that swimming in cold water reduces the chance of developing senile dementia.
Alzheimer's and dementia are two of the neurodegenerative diseases that most concern doctors, since they affect the quality of life of the people who suffer from it and those around them.
That is why studies have been constantly conducted to discover its causes and how to prevent this loss of brain connections, which cause memory to stop working properly.
And recently, an observational study found that low temperatures help improve brain activity.
The investigation has not been officially published, but
Giovanna Mallucci
, the lead of the analysis, shared some of the preliminary results with the BBC.
Dr. Mallucci, who is director of the UK Dementia Research Institute's Center at Cambridge University explained that to carry out the tests, a sample group of swimmers who did sports in cold water were compared with other people who practiced Tai Chi, an activity that kept them in a warm temperature most of the time.
To test whether it really helped prevent dementia, the scientists measured the levels of a DNA protein, called RBM3.
This is also known as the “cold shock protein”, and it was discovered just a few years ago by another group of experts from the same university.
On that occasion, the results were published in the journal
Nature
with an article explaining that it had been discovered that hibernating animals had a substance in their body with a structure identical to RBM3, which was responsible for 'reconnecting' neurons and make the brain function normally again, after periods of hibernation.
The scientists discovered that it was present especially in animals that lived in low temperatures, so they began to do tests with mice to see if it really worked.
The discoveries proved that RBM3 was responsible for reactivating neurons, so this new research was developed to see if some humans could have it too.
In fact, it was
Martin Pate
and a small group of swimmers who are used to diving in the icy water of North London who volunteered for Dr Malluci's study.
On this occasion, the tests again showed that those who possessed the cold shock protein had an easier time reconnecting neural synapses, and that swimming in cold water could help increase it.
However, the specialist stressed that it is necessary to continue studying the subject because it is necessary to discover an alternative way to stimulate the production of RMB3, since the BBC emphasizes that low temperatures are not recommended for all people.
In fact, Dr.
Heather Massey
warned the media that before taking an ice dip it is necessary to check your health, as it could cause tachycardia, hypothermia or suffocation in some people.
In the same way, he recommended doing it with someone who has had previous experiences in this type of water, always keep moving to keep the body at an adequate temperature, remove wet clothes immediately and seek warmth with textiles, and not bathe with hot water in the following hours.
See also:
Migraine sufferers are at higher risk of dementia, study finds
How much you sleep could indicate whether you are at risk for dementia, says new study
Alzheimer's: a blood study could predict it decades in advance
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