I came across an intriguing review of Scott Carney’s book What Doesn’t Kill Us. This book documents Scott’s experiences in learning and applying the Wim Hof method. Scott had made a name as an exposer of frauds. And he intended to add Wim to his collection. Instead he changed his life by applying Wims methods.
What specifically attracted my attention to the Wim Hof method were the health improvements that students achieved. I was curious if cold sensitivity adjustments could reduce blood lipid levels—not unreasonable given that brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolizes blood fats to produce body heat. Specifically, could I control my triglyceride levels by allowing my body to seasonally adjust to ambient temperatures?
Scott’s book documents his experience learning and practicing the Wim Hof method. Wikipedia characterizes Wim as a Dutch daredevil with an ability to withstand extreme cold. What I found real intriguing is that students of his method can learn to do the same “daredevil” abilities. And what’s more, when they do, they derive measurable health benefits.
According to his web site Wim’s method rests on three pillars: cold therapy, breathing, and commitment. Learning to adapt to the cold builds BAT, reduces inflammation, and increases beneficial hormone levels. Learning Wim’s breathing techniques temporarily increases blood oxygen while decreasing blood carbon dioxide. As with all life changes commitment is necessary to master and utilize the techniques.
Scott’s book recalls his interactions with Wim and his students. He learns the technique from Wim at a farm in Poland. There his body starts the changes that allow him to match some of Wim’s exploits. He joins Wim and a couple dozen other students on a shirtless climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. He interviews students using the methods to lose weight, gain strength, help treat Parkinson’s, live with arthritis, and even to heal broken bones. They are all experiencing enough positive effects that they are convinced of the method’s efficacy.
BAT is present in all humans but is atrophied in adults who have lived a life sheltered from the cold. According to Research has shown that BAT improves glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. It also shows that BAT activation may improve bone density and bone health.
I suspect that Wim’s method may treat triglyceride imbalance because BAT around the pancreas and kidney slowly converts to white fat through the loss of mitochondria. This conversion might explain the relationship between high triglyceride levels and pancreatic issues. If the conversion can be reversed perhaps the more serious issues can be avoided.
I really enjoyed Scott’s book. It is both entertaining and informative. While there is a growing world-wide network of teachers of the Wim Hof method, the book contains a description that one can follow. I would encourage you to pick up a copy of Scott’s book and start exploring the Wim Hof Method for yourself. Be careful, and follow the advice Scott gives; people die from the cold every year—it could be you. However if you can learn to control your bodies heat producing mechanism then it might just be a way to help you age more gracefully. Perhaps someday we will say that colder people are harder to kill.