The Negative Effects of Cold Weather on Male Health: A Doctor’s Perspective

Endocrinologist, ultrasound specialist of the INVITRO-Moscow clinic Natalya Sorokina said that the cold is more harmful to men than women.

In an interview with the Izvestia newspaper, the specialist notes that the cold and lack of sun adversely affect the general condition of the body. And that the endocrine system plays a major role in adapting the body to environmental conditions.

According to her, in some people, due to the harmful effect of the cold factor, a negative reaction from the endocrine system occurs, manifested in the form of increased secretion of hormones: thyroid hormone, insulin and adrenal hormones, as well as an increase in the process of splitting proteins, fats and carbohydrates, poor synthesis of protein molecules. At the same time, the negative effect of cold is more pronounced in the body of men than women.

She says: “This issue is related to several factors: a woman’s body temperature is always slightly higher than a man’s body temperature; the body area of ​​a woman is smaller than the body area of ​​a man, and therefore there is less heat loss in cold weather; the effect of the male hormone testosterone on the immune system, where the more its level is high, the weaker the immune response of the body.

She adds that infants and the elderly are less able to tolerate cold due to an imbalance in thermoregulation.

She says: “In addition, people with various endocrine disorders often suffer from disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, changes in the endocrine function of the pancreas and thyroid disorders. These disorders are exacerbated by the influence of aggressive environmental factors, including low temperatures, which leads to insufficient adaptation of the body.

And the doctor recommends that as a preventive measure, adhere to a healthy lifestyle: follow a healthy diet, engage in physical activity, give up bad habits, and also monitor the level of the most important biologically active substances and trace elements. For example, vitamin D3 and iron serum contribute to a better adaptation of the body to changes and the influence of environmental factors, including low temperatures.

Source: Izvestia newspaper.