WHICH VITAMIN DEFECIENCY CAUSES YOU TO FEEL COLD?

Do you have cold hands and feet while others don’t? While it is normal to feel cold in a cold environment, feeling cold all the time is not cool at all. You may like to add another layer to warm up your body, but it is an indication. An indication that something is not right or your body is lacking something. It could be a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Yes, you heard it right!

A lack of certain vitamins and minerals can cause you to feel cold. This article will help you identify which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold. So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it!

HOW YOUR BODY REGULATES TEMPERATURE?

Before discovering which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold, let’s understand how the normal human body regulates temperature. The process of thermoregulation maintains normal body temperature. It is responsible for maintaining a healthy body temperature, which is necessary for brain health, immune system response, and healthy cellular function. However, internal and external disruptors sometimes prevent thermoregulation, resulting in increased or decreased body temperature.

COMMON DISRUPTORS:

? Extreme cold environment
? Nutrient and vitamin deficiency
? Bacterial infection and viral illness

 VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY:

Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin, creates red blood cells, which transport oxygen
throughout the body. If the body is Vitamin B12 deficient, it may cause megaloblastic anemia, in which the size of red blood cells is larger than normal, and the red blood cell count is low.

CAUSES:

There are multiple reasons why your body is Vitamin B12 deficient. However, the most common ones are mentioned below:

? Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition responsible for Vitamin B12 deficiency.
In this condition, immune cells attack the stomach, preventing the stomach from
absorbing as much Vitamin B12 as it should.

? Certain medications taken for other health conditions, such as diabetes, can deplete
vitamin b12 levels in your body.

? The most common cause is a Vitamin B12 deficient diet. In other words, you are not
consuming as much Vitamin B12 as you should. This cause is common in strictly vegans,
as Vitamin B12 is commonly found in animal sources.

SOURCES:

The good news is that you can increase your level of Vitamin B12 by consuming a diet rich in Vitamin B12. Add the following items to your diet:

? Eggs
? Meat
? Milk
? Poultry

If you are strictly vegan, consider taking Vitamin B12 supplements upon consulting your
dietician.

SYMPTOMS:

Vitamin B12 deficiency does not only cause cold hands and fingers, but you may experience some of the following symptoms:

? Short of breath
? Losing appetite
? Indigestion
? Vision problem
? Difficulty in remembering things
? Diarrhea
? Lethargic
? Headache

VITAMIN B9 DEFICIENCY:

Vitamin B9 is quite similar to Vitamin B12. It is also known as folate (in its natural form). If you are wondering which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold, then the answer could be both. Its deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia, in which the size of red blood cells is larger than normal and red blood cell count is low.

CAUSES:

Folate deficiency is less common than other deficiencies. However, in certain situations, your body may encounter Vitamin B9 deficiency. For instance:

? Vitamin B9 is extremely helpful in pregnancy as it plays an important role in fetal
development. So, the need for this vitamin increases naturally during pregnancy.

? A gene variant known as MTHFR stops the body from forming an active form of folate
? Stomach indigestion and alcohol overuse may result in Vitamin B12 deficiency, too.

SOURCES:

Folate requirements could be met by consuming a Vitamin B9-rich diet. Add the following food sources to meet the body’s requirements:

? Dark leafy green vegetables.
? Beef
? Fish
? Liver
? Nuts
? Legumes
It is also found in processed food items such as:
? Bread
? Pasta
? Cereal

SYMPTOMS:

If your body lacks Vitamin B12, then it may experience more symptoms other than just feeling cold. Some of the common ones are mentioned below:

? Pale skin
? Unable to concentrate
? Hair loss
? Irregular heartbeat
? Feeling tired all the time

IRON DEFICIENCY:

If you are wondering which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold, you may not know, but there are other nutritional deficiencies that can make you feel cold.
One of the most common ones is iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common worldwide, affecting 30% of the population. If you have iron deficiency anemia, your body does not have enough iron to make red blood cells. Iron is also necessary to make hemoglobin, which is responsible for binding oxygen with
red blood cells.

CAUSES:

There are multiple reasons why your body does not have enough iron. Some of the most common ones are mentioned below:

? Weight loss surgery
? Intestine or digestive system problems that stop the body from absorbing iron.
? A genetic condition that stops the intestine from absorbing iron.
? Heavy menstrual periods.
? Bleeding from the urinary tract.
? Blood loss due to an injury

 SOURCES:

A huge chunk of the world is iron deficient. That is why it is necessary to incorporate the
mentioned food items in our diet:

? Beef
? Lentils
? Tofu
? Eggs
? Pumpkin Seeds
? Nuts
? Oats
? Spinach
? Kale
? Broccoli
? Peas

SYMPTOMS:

Look for the following symptoms if you want to confirm your iron deficiency:

? Unexplained weakness
? Pale or yellow skin
? Shortness of breath
? Chest pain
? Headache
? Lack of energy
? Rapid heartbeat
? Brittle nails and hair loss

SOME OTHER CAUSES:

There are some other possible situations which may make you feel cold all the time. These conditions are not linked with vitamin deficiency at all. For instance:

HYPOTHYROIDISM:

Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by an inactive thyroid, in which the body does not produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism does not necessarily make you feel cold but increases your sensitivity towards cold. In other words, you feel colder than others in the same environment. It is most common in females over 40, but anyone can be affected by it. The symptoms are slow and gradual. So, if you consistently feel cold, it is time to get yourself checked.

SMOKING:

Smoking is bad for the whole body, but the person may experience cold hands and fingers if he smokes consistently. Cigarettes release toxins into the bloodstream. The most common one is Carbon monoxide. It sticks to the inside of the blood vessels, allowing fats to stick to them. As a result, blood vessels constrict, reducing the amount of blood and oxygen circulation around the body. If you smoke regularly, then you need to consult your doctor to help you with that.

 DIABETES:

High blood glucose levels recognize diabetes. It causes the blood vessels to narrow, decreasing circulation and making people feel cold.

RAYNOID’S SYNDROME:

It is a condition in which the blood vessels spasm, causing less blood flow in cold temperatures. It may happen due to strong emotions, and the person experiences a cold sensation.

CAN VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY CAUSE YOU TO FEEL COLD?

You may come across some people mentioning that Vitamin D deficiency can make you feel cold. But that is different from the most recent scientific research. Vitamin D deficiency may indirectly disrupt the body’s normal thermoregulation, but it does not
directly cause cold symptoms. Its deficiency can weaken the bones, resulting in conditions such as rickets. Such conditions may sometimes make you feel cold, which means that Vitamin D is indirectly responsible for the normal process of thermoregulation. That being said, consuming the right quantity of Vitamin D is still necessary for bones and muscles.

CAN VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY CAUSE YOU TO FEEL COLD?

When you ask which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold, exclude Vitamin C. It is
extremely rare to experience Vitamin C deficiency in developed countries. Not to mention, vitamin C deficiency is not linked with abnormal thermoregulation. However, it
is necessary for some other important body functions. For instance, it is helpful in normal iron absorption. Common sources of Vitamin C include fruits and vegetables such as orange, red bell peppers, kiwi, and strawberries.

CAN STRESS AND ANXIETY CAUSE COLD HANDS AND FEET?

Yes, if you actively live under stress and anxiety, then you need to manage your stress instead of searching for which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold. Stress strains the blood circulation. However, the effects could be reduced with the help of deep
breaths, meditation, and physical exercise.

HOW CAN I WARM UP?

Follow the strategies mentioned below to help yourself warm-up:

? Hold a warm cup of tea.
? Indulge in some form of exercise.
? Run your hands under warm water and dry them fully.
? Keep an electric heat pad in your home.
? Put on hand warmers instead of gloves to keep your hands warm all the time.

HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE VITAMIN DEFICIENT?

It is not enough to find out which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold. Instead, you should get yourself properly checked. Your doctor can guide you in the right direction. Otherwise, you may end up taking the wrong supplements or maybe the right supplements but the wrong quantity. To avoid such complications, consider getting yourself properly checked. Your doctor may advise you to visit a laboratory for some vitamins and minerals tests.

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR:

If you constantly feel cold and you are unable to find the reason, then you need to get yourself checked as soon as possible. Your doctor will guide you on which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold.

CONCLUSION:

Feeling cold is normal but not under regular temperatures. So, instead of finding ways to maintain the body temperature, it is better to find out which vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold. For that, consult a doctor as soon as possible.