8 Medical Reasons You're Always Cold
What could be the cause behind your
shivers? If you find yourself constantly reaching for a sweater, there
may be a few strange reasons as to why you are feeling cold all the
time. Take a look at these 8 surprising reasons below:
1. You have low iron
If your hands and feet are always cold, a likely cause is an iron
deficiency - in fact, anemia might be to blame. Red blood cells need
iron to carry oxygen into the blood. If your iron levels are low, it
could hurt your circulation. The body is smart, coldness in extremities -
hands and feet - is most pronounced as blood is diverted to vital
organs like the heart and the brain first. A good source of iron is
meat, though leafy greens and legumes are good sources, but should be
paired with vitamin C-rich food like red pepper for maximum absorption
as it's harder to absorb iron from plants
2. You need more vitamin B12
feeling cold
Some people think that they need more iron,
when in actual fact, they need more B12. Vitamin B12 anemia can cause
coldness, as well as numbness and low energy. Just like iron, most
B12-rich foods are animal products, meaning that vegetarians may have a
hard time getting enough. However, B12 is also found in eggs, cheese,
and yogurt. Vegans, alternatively, can sprinkle nutritional yeast - a
cheesy-tasting powder - on potatoes or popcorn.
3. You have a thyroid condition
If your body doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone to regulate your
metabolism, you may end up by feeling cold all the time. Symptoms of
thyroid disease also include hair loss and constipation. If you are
experiencing these symptoms, visit a doctor and get a blood test for
hypothyroidism.
4. You have low body weight
Being underweight may mean that you're
always feeling cold for two reasons. First, fat works as an insulator,
so having less fat may mean that your body is unable to heat well.
Cutting calories can also slow your metabolism, which as a result, will
give your body less energy to heat itself. Stock up on good fats such as
nut butter, full-fat Greek yogurt and dried fruit.
5. You skip out on sleep
Research on sleeping and feeling cold is mixed. However, chronic fatigue
can slow down your metabolism, leaving you feeling chilly during the
day. Furthermore, your body temperature fluctuates at night, causing
your body to get used to that cycle. So, if you find yourself staying up
later than usual, your core body temperature might drop during the same
time it would if you were asleep.
6. You’re dehydrated
If your body does not have enough water,
your blood circulation could be negatively impacted. Since water holds
heat, dehydration could leave your body without water's
temperature-retaining benefits. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking half
your weight in ounces of water. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds,
sip 75 ounces throughout the day.
7. You could be experiencing diabetes complications
Diabetics can develop peripheral neuropathy, which damages nerves in
charge of the senses. Consequently, this diabetes complication means
that you may feel cold, in pain, or hot all the time, and without
reason. It may not be physical, just the sensation of being cold. In
fact, it's just an error in the message sent to the brain from the feet
or hands.
8. You don’t eat enough fat
feeling cold
If you are craving warm, hearty foods in
the winter, it may be due to a lack of fat. Fat helps us feel satiated
and warmer. Avocado, nuts, and seeds, replaced with cooling foods such
as fruits and juices might leave you feeling cold. These are other signs
you're not getting enough healthy fats.