𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝?

𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

It’s become a bit chilly here in the UK recently, but that might not necessarily be a bad thing if you wanted to improve your longevity.

If you’re looking for the secret to living longer, (and saving some money) it might be simpler than you think—just turn your heating down this winter! As a recent study suggests that lower body temperature may play a bigger role in lifespan.

An international research team explored the link between the saying “live fast, die young,” which often refers to people living risky lives and dying earlier.

In biological terms, it reflects animals with a higher metabolic rate typically having shorter lifespans, as they burn through energy faster.

However, the relationship between metabolism and longevity is more complex. For instance, calorie-restricted diets slow metabolism, often leading to increased lifespan, while exercise boosts metabolism but is still linked to longer life. So, what’s the true key to longevity?

Researchers believe the answer lies in how changes in metabolism impact body temperature. Generally, a slower metabolism results in lower body temperature.

In their study, scientists tested this by adjusting the metabolism and body temperature of mice and hamsters, increasing body temperature while reducing metabolism, to see how these factors influenced longevity.

“We found that exposing the rodents to these conditions shortened their lifespans. Lower metabolism didn’t lengthen their lives, but higher temperatures shortened it,” says Professor John R. Speakman from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology in a media release.

Stay cool, live longer

In the next step of the study, researchers used small fans to blow cool air over the animals living the high temps. Although this didn’t change their metabolism, researchers say it prevented the mice and hamsters from having a high body temperature.

The study authors conclude that body temperature appears to have a much more important role in determining lifespan than metabolic rate”

Gene PPARgC1A is a master regulator of a number of metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, pancreas and liver, which is strongly induced by cold exposure.

It plays a critical role in the maintenance of glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis, is a co-activator of antioxidant genes and is a master regulator of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial gene expression.

It also plays a central role in regulating genes involved in cellular energy metabolism, and blood pressure regulation, cellular cholesterol homeostasis, adaptive thermogenesis and the development of obesity, and is involved in the regulation of both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

So, perhaps take a leaf out of the Iceman Wim Hof’s book and take a cold shower in the morning to improve your longevity?