Cold Fands and Feet

Guest · Guest

I'm a 47-year old woman whose hands and feet are always cold. What could be causing this, and what can I do to warm them up?

Zoltan P. Rona · alive Expert Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 11

Cold hands and feet are the result of suboptimal circulation. Before determining the source of the problem, avoid coffee, regular tea and other sources of caffeine and cigarettes, which can constrict the blood vessels.

A common cause, especially in women over 40, is low thyroid gland activity, which can be shown by a low basal body temperature or abnormal blood levels of free T3, free T4, TSH or thyroid antibodies. The natural solution is to supplement with an iodine source such as kelp (one to three tablets daily) and the amino acid tyrosine (3,000 milligrams daily). Deficiencies in zinc, copper and selenium can also contribute and may need to be supplemented.

Another potential cause is Raynaud's phenomenon, or Raynaud's disease, where the arteries in the hands constrict abnormally in response to lower temperatures, emotional upsets, drugs and other triggers. Raynaud's often responds to high-dose vitamin E supplementation (800 IU or more daily), as well as niacin (500 to 1,000 mg), ginkgo biloba extract (250 mg), ginger root (1,000 mg) and cayenne pepper (500 mg), all of which can be taken three times daily.

Cold hands and feet can also be the result of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Here, one can use hawthorn berry (one to three teaspoons of the tincture daily), niacin (1,000 mg or more daily), coenzyme Q10 (400 to 800 mg daily), vitamin C (3,000 mg or more daily), vitamin E (800 IU or more daily) and magnesium (300 to 600 mg daily). Consider chelation therapy if arteriosclerosis is the cause.

Blood sugar control abnormalities (both hypoglycemia and diabetes) can also be the cause of poor circulation. A strict blood sugar control diet, along with supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid (900 to 1,200 mg daily), B-complex vitamins (100 mg or more daily), dahlia inulin (six or more capsules daily) chromium (1,000 mcg daily) and the herbs burdock, fenugreek, bitter melon, blueberry leaf and Jerusalem artichoke, can all be beneficial.

Acupuncture, physiotherapy, strength training exercises and chiropractic can all be helpful in just about any case. For personalized assessment and therapy, consult a natural health-care provider.

swizzle · Guest

Me Too! My kids Love/Hate my cold hands lol(ps so do i) when they are hot they love my cold hands on their foreheads but when they are cold they get a shock at how cold they are. Cure? yeah right! only advice i can give you is Permanently wear gloves and socks! Hey we have lived with it this long! Think of it as just being human, at least we are gorgeous, healthy and happy thats all that matters... unless our noses fall off!!!!!!
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