Scientists have discovered that 37°C is no longer the standard human body temperature! Which is better, high temperature or low temperature?
Let’s do multiple choice questions first↓
Since the epidemic
Taking body temperature has almost become something that everyone does every day
but some people found
Every time the body temperature is always a little more than 36 ℃
None reached 37°C
Why is this?
1851, Doctor Wunderlich, Germany
Millions of body temperature measurements were taken on subjects in Leipzig, Germany
And for the first time calculated the normal value of the average body temperature of the human body
——37℃
Since then
Body temperature has long been used as a key vital sign for judging health status
However
In 2020, researchers at Stanford University found that
over the past century
The normal body temperature of humans is dropping
The researchers analyzed the
More than 677,000 body temperature data collected
found compared to the end of the 19th century
The body temperature of men and women decreased by 0.59°C and 0.32°C, respectively
Why does the temperature of the human body decrease
At present, there are mainly three speculations in the scientific community:
①Modern sanitary conditions have improved
In the past, due to poor sanitation
Therefore, the human body is often infected and inflammatory
fast metabolism
Therefore, more heat is generated
②Modern environment tends to be more "constant temperature"
Air-conditioning in summer and heating in winter
Improvement of external environment
so that the body does not need to use too much energy to regulate temperature
③Changes in population structure
Body temperature will be affected by age and gender
With the extension of life expectancy of modern people
There are more and more elderly people
Metabolic rate decreases with age
Body temperature will be slightly lower than that of young adults
Adult women have more subcutaneous fat
Dissipates less heat
Plus the influence of sex hormones
Menstrual periods and pregnancy will also be a little higher than normal
Therefore, the body temperature of women will be about 0.3 ℃ higher than that of men.
According to 2021 population data
The current global male to female ratio is 101:100
However, there are still more men than women in most regions
Yuki Ishihara, a Japanese expert, mentioned in "Sickness Comes from the Cold":
When the temperature is 35.5°C
Cancer cells multiply in large numbers;
And when the temperature is 39.6℃
Cancer cells will disappear in large numbers;
For every 1°C drop in body temperature
The immunity of the human body is reduced by 30%;
There are also plenty of examples in the book to show that:
Elevated body temperature can significantly reduce the symptoms of heart disease, depression, cancer and other diseases
Could it be
Does hypothermia really lead to a decline in immunity?
In theory
Lower body temperature does lead to decreased immunity
Low body temperature and low basal metabolic rate
When white blood cells work less efficiently and blood flow slows
Even if bacteria, viruses, etc.
The reaction will also become slower
Be careful when taking your temperature
Different parts of the normal temperature range is different
Oral temperature is 36.3°C~37.2°C
Axillary temperature ranges from 36.1°C to 37°C
Rectal temperature is 36.6°C~37.5°C
The temperature in the ear generally does not exceed 37°C
Forehead temperature does not exceed 37.5°C
within normal temperature range
Generally, the higher the body temperature, the stronger the immunity
because of higher body temperature
activate more immune cells
In order to better eliminate pathogenic microorganisms that invade the human body
protect the body
But be aware that
Excessively high body temperature can be dangerous
Clinically
A temperature of 0.3°C above the normal value is considered a fever
Is a febrile response of immune cells to destroy pathogens
Normally
Fever is beneficial to activate the body's immune function
But if the body temperature continues to rise to 38 ℃
There will be multiple organs involved in cooling, such as sweat glands
When it reaches 39°C , the sweat glands may be on the verge of exhaustion
Let the body experience a series of stress reactions
Increase oxygen consumption, increase heart rate, increase cardiac output, etc.
for heart patients
This can be very burdensome and may even cause myocarditis
If not treated in time, body temperature reaches 40°C
the brain becomes preoccupied
susceptible to nervous system effects
Symptoms such as lack of energy, fatigue, and lethargy;
while reaching 41°C
Body temperature is generally in the state of exceeding the standard
Severe, life-threatening
What should I do if I find that my body temperature is low for a long time?
May wish to try the following methods
to help heat up
Exercise not only keeps the body healthy
Enhance cardiorespiratory function
It can also increase muscle strength
Sufficient energy supply in the body
during exercise
Human blood circulation speed up
Immune cells white blood cells are more active
Able to find and kill pathogens faster
Therefore, it is recommended to reduce sedentary
Choose exercises such as skipping rope, running, squats, etc.
warm up the body
Fat is the body's "insulation layer"
can help maintain body temperature
play a role in resisting the cold
Therefore, there is no need to lose weight excessively
Maintain a Moderate Body Fat Percentage
help maintain normal body temperature
for adults
Men should maintain a body fat rate of 15% to 18%.
Women should maintain a body fat rate of 20% to 25%.
Stay in an air-conditioned cool environment for a long time
May reduce the sensitivity of the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center
The ability to regulate temperature is reduced
cause body temperature to drop
Human body temperature is not a fixed value
If the body temperature is lower than normal for a long time
Be alert for hypothyroidism, chronic heart failure, anemia, malnutrition and other diseases
pathological hypothermia
References:
[1]Myroslava ProtsivCatherine LeyJoanna LankesterTrevor HastieJulie Parsonnet (2020) Decreasing human body temperature in the United States since the Industrial Revolution eLife 9：e49555.
[2] Wang Zuyuan. No sickness at 37°C [J]. Modern Health, 2020, 20(19): 65.
[3] First division. What hypothermia reminds us [J]. Vanguard, 2015 (12): 53.
[4] Sun Tianren. Is the normal body temperature of the human body 37°C? [J]. Science World, 2020(09): 122.
[5] Ding Jiangzhou, Si Gaochao, Yao Yongjie. Hypothermia rewarming technology and research progress [J]. People's Military Medicine, 2016, 59(04): 352-353+357.