For centuries, 37°C has been considered the standard temperature for a healthy body. However, recent studies show that human body temperature is gradually decreasing.
Why is the Average Human Body Temperature Decreasing?
A decrease in human body temperature is an important manifestation of lifestyle changes. Body temperature is a critical indicator of internal balance in the human body, reflecting health status to a certain extent. With changes in modern lifestyles, the reduction in human body temperature has become a common trend.
One significance of lowering human body temperature is adapting to the environment. (Photo: Zhihu).
In modern society, we are living in a more comfortable environment. Advanced living conditions, along with the prevalence of heating devices and widespread use of air conditioning indoors, allow us to exist in environments with stable temperatures. This helps our bodies gradually adapt to an average lower temperature, leading to a decrease in body temperature.
A decrease in human body temperature is also related to changes in lifestyle. The modern pace of life is increasingly rapid, and the pressure of work and life is mounting. Our lives involve numerous recreational and social activities, and we often face various emotions and stresses.
This accumulation of stress can also lead to a decrease in body temperature. At the same time, we are now paying more attention to health and fitness, diversifying our diets, focusing on nutrition and balanced food intake, and maintaining proper exercise and rest, all of which contribute to lowering body temperature.
A decrease in human body temperature is an important manifestation of lifestyle changes. (Photo: Zhihu).
The development of modern medicine is also a significant reason for the decrease in human body temperature. In the past, human understanding of diseases was limited, and the treatment of many illnesses was relatively simple and rudimentary. With advancements in medical technology, modern medicine has made significant breakthroughs. Some diseases can now be addressed with medication, surgery, or other medical treatments, which may lead to lower body temperatures.
However, a decrease in human body temperature also brings some negative impacts. For example, with lower body temperatures, a person’s natural resistance may be relatively low, making them more susceptible to illness. Additionally, some beneficial microorganisms that initially adapted to high-temperature environments may gradually become unable to survive. For scientists, studying the causes and effects of decreased human body temperature holds significant importance for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.
This change is a comprehensive result of various factors such as adaptation to the environment, lifestyle changes, and medical advancements. Although the decrease in human body temperature has some negative effects, it also reflects the improvement in our quality of life and the progress of science and technology. By conducting in-depth research on the causes and effects of reduced human body temperature, we can gain a better understanding of the human body’s adaptation mechanisms and provide greater protection for human health and life.
Body temperature is one of the key indicators for assessing human health and illness, and with advancements in medical technology, we understand more deeply the role and impact of reduced body temperature. (Photo: Zhihu).
Applications of Hypothermia in Medicine
With the rapid development of medical technology, humans are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about themselves. In this context, the discussion about the importance of lowering human body temperature has become a topic of significant interest.
Myocardial infarction is a serious heart condition, and the hypothermia method is gradually being adopted as a treatment. By lowering body temperature, cellular damage following a heart attack can be reduced, the inflammatory response can be diminished, the time window for reperfusion can be extended, and treatment efficacy can be improved. Advances in medical technology have made hypothermia therapy more precise and safer, providing better treatment outcomes for myocardial infarction patients.
With advancements in medical technology, we understand more deeply the role and significance of lowering body temperature. (Photo: Zhihu).
Some neurological diseases, such as brain injuries and strokes, often accompany neuronal damage and inflammatory responses. Lowering body temperature is gradually being used in the treatment of these illnesses to reduce the scope and severity of damage by slowing metabolic rates, inhibiting inflammatory responses, etc., thereby protecting neurons from further injury. Advances in medical technology have made monitoring and adjusting body temperature more precise and feasible, providing greater neuroprotective potential.
In cancer treatment, hypothermia has been developed as a new therapeutic strategy. By exposing tumors to cold temperatures, blood supply to the tumor can be restricted, inhibiting its growth and spread. Advances in medical technology have provided more precise, safe, and effective hypothermia treatment methods, offering more treatment options for cancer patients.
In the future, with the ongoing development of medical technology, the reduction of body temperature will be more widely applied across various fields, providing more comprehensive protection for human health.
Lowering body temperature in humans also helps the body adapt to reduced food supply. (Photo: Zhihu).
Changes in Relationship with the Environment
Throughout human evolution, the decrease in body temperature is an important adaptive change. The human body temperature typically ranges from 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. Maintaining this temperature is crucial for the normal functioning of the human body. However, the reduction in human body temperature also carries profound implications and is closely related to changes in environmental relationships.
The significance of hypothermia in humans lies in its ability to effectively regulate heat. The chemical reactions and life activities within the human body need to occur within a certain temperature range; excessively high or low body temperatures can harm the human body.
An increase in body temperature can accelerate metabolic rates, but in most environments, this increased metabolic rate often leads to side effects such as increased energy loss and excessive sweating. Conversely, a decrease in body temperature can reduce metabolic rates and lower energy loss. This is vital for human survival in harsh environments, such as cold or hot regions.
Lowering human body temperature can reduce energy consumption and slow digestive function, helping the body adapt to food shortages in harsh environments. (Photo: Zhihu).
Humans are biological beings, resting in darkness and engaging in activities during the day. The decrease in body temperature is closely linked to changes in sleep patterns. During sleep, body temperature reaches a lower and more stable state, ensuring health. Scientists believe that reduced body temperature may signal the body to enter a resting state and enhance sleep quality.
With the development of modern society and advancements in science and technology, human dependence on the environment has gradually decreased, leading to a loss of many adaptive capabilities. Modern humans often live in indoor environments with stable temperatures and abundant food supplies, while their sleep quality faces numerous disruptions and pressures.
However, these changes lead to a gradual loss of the adaptive changes associated with the decrease in human body temperature.
