Cold hands and feet can be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiency?

Feeling cold can be caused by a deficiency of certain B vitamins or iron, which can lead to anemia (not having enough healthy red blood cells in the body). Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues, and cells throughout the body need this oxygen for metabolic processes that generate heat and maintain body temperature. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can make you feel cold more easily than other people.

1. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause cold hands and feet

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia (low red blood cell count and larger than normal red blood cells) and is associated with sensitivity to colds. Deficiency can also cause other symptoms.

Cold hands and feet can be caused by a lack of certain vitamins and minerals.

If you are deficient in vitamin B12, it will not only cause cold hands and feet but also include other symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Feeling short of breath
• Anorexia
• Indigestion
• heart palpitations
• Feeling apathetic
• Diarrhea
• Find it difficult to remember things or understand them
• Have mouth problems like sore tongue or ulcers…

Several factors can cause B12 deficiency, such as malignant anemia, inadequate dietary intake, people who have had gastric surgery, or taking certain medications, such as PPIs (proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux, metformin for diabetes, etc.).

Dietary sources of vitamin B12 include milk, meat, and fish. If you are deficient, you can also take B12 supplements orally or by injection as prescribed by your doctor.

2. Lack of vitamin B9 causes cold hands and feet

Vitamin B9 in its natural form is called folate. A folate deficiency can make you feel sensitive to colds. Folate is needed to make healthy red blood cells. Without enough folate, you can develop megaloblastic anemia.

Besides feeling cold, signs you may have a vitamin B9 deficiency in megaloblastic anemia include:

• Feeling weak and tired
• Out of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hair loss
• Pale skin
• Ulcers develop in the mouth...

There are many causes of folate deficiency such as pregnancy (the body needs more than normal), alcohol use disorder, undergoing intestinal surgery or digestive disorders that can interfere with folate absorption and cause deficiency…

Natural sources of folate include dark green leafy vegetables, peanuts, beans, fruits, whole grains, sunflower seeds, fish and liver...

Folate and other B vitamins are also added to many everyday food products, such as pasta, bread, and cereals.

3. Iron deficiency is the cause of cold hands and feet.

Iron deficiency is quite common. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide , affecting 30% of the population. In iron deficiency anemia, the body does not have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

If you have iron deficiency anemia, you may not have any symptoms. However, in addition to cold hands and feet, symptoms of iron deficiency may include:

• Feeling tired
• Chest pain
• Haggard
• Out of breath…

Causes of iron deficiency anemia can be related to blood loss due to trauma, heavy menstruation or bleeding from the digestive tract... In addition, some cases have difficulty absorbing iron due to diseases related to the intestines or digestive system, have undergone weight loss surgery, have a genetic condition that makes the intestines unable to absorb iron or prevent blood loss from occurring effectively...

Food sources of iron include red meat, salmon, beans, dried fruit, eggs, and dark green leafy vegetables. Breads and cereals may be fortified with iron. You can also take iron supplements as prescribed by your doctor.

Although everyone can feel uncomfortable when cold from time to time, if this feeling is persistent or your sensitivity to cold is excessive, you should see a doctor to find out the cause. If it is due to vitamin and mineral deficiency, it can be supplemented appropriately. If the cause of cold is due to another condition such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc., it needs to be addressed to prevent related health problems.

Dr. Nguyen Thu Giang

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/tay-chan-lanh-co-the-do-thieu-vitamin-va-khoang-chat-17224022921594761.htm