Your feet are cold and you can’t even warm your hands. This is a condition that many people struggle with, often not realizing that it may not just be winter outside. A lack of vitamins and minerals, which can be supplemented quite easily, is often responsible for the feeling of coldness.
Maybe you’re sitting in an office with people who would rather ventilate all day because they’re hot. You are still shivering from the cold and cannot warm your hands or feet. In such a case, it will be appropriate to ask the doctor about the possible cause. It is likely that he will perform a blood test, from which the specialist will detect a possible deficiency of some important substances for the body.
Why are we cold?
First of all, it is necessary to understand, at least marginally, what processes actually take place in the body all the time. The feeling of coldness in the limbs, i.e. on the periphery of the body, is due to insufficient oxygenation of the tissues there. Oxygen is important for metabolism, the proper functioning of which generates adequate heat, which the body can then use. Oxygen is delivered to the body by red blood cells, which are dependent on sufficient iron for their function.
It cannot be done without iron
And now we come to the crux of the problem. If there is not enough iron in the body for any reason, the red blood cells cannot perform their function reliably, the end parts of the body do not receive their dose of oxygen, metabolic processes do not have enough fuel, and therefore heat production is lower. What does this mean? Said together with Marfuša from the legendary Mrázik: Our hands and feet are freezing!
The “B”s are to blame
But iron is not the only element responsible for the feeling of cold even in a relatively warm environment. Of the vitamins, B9 and B12 are mainly responsible for “warming the body”. Search your memory and try to remember if you have some symptoms associated with their deficiency. Which ones are they?
B9: Beware of anemia
If you lack vitamin B9 in your body, it is very likely that, just as in the case of iron deficiency, doctors will state a lack of red blood cells. This vitamin has an important function in their formation, and a deficiency can manifest itself in the diagnosed so-called megaloblastic anemia.
In addition to the already mentioned feeling of cold, in such a case there will also be weakness associated with fatigue, difficulty breathing, hair loss, pale skin, and the brain will have problems with concentration and memory. If you suspect a lack of vitamin B9, try supplementing it through leafy greens, whole grain bread, liver, beans or peanuts.
B12 also takes appetite
In the same way, the lack of vitamin B12 causes insufficient production of red blood cells, but this time the problem manifests itself in a slightly different way. A sick person may lose his appetite and face digestive problems, headaches and vision problems. We mustn’t forget the already mentioned feeling of cold, which often points to incipient problems.
I want it a lot
To supplement vitamin B12, it will be good to consume more meat and fish. If the problems do not disappear within a few days, do not hesitate to ask a doctor for help, because it may also be a digestive disorder that prevents sufficient absorption of the vitamin into the body.
You are not spoiled, deal with it…
It is obvious that the constant feeling of cold does not have to come from “being pampered”, but from a lack of substances necessary for the body. A varied and balanced diet can fix a lot, but if it doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to go to an expert for advice.
Sources: www.verywellhealth.com, www.medicinenet.com, www.everlywell.com
