Wonder why you’re always the one asking, “Is it cold in here?”. Are you constantly rocking layers when everyone else is wearing t-shirts? Are your hands like ice even on the sunniest of days? Chances are you’re not just being sensitive and that persistent coldness could be linked to your body missing some crucial vitamins and minerals.
Your body’s ability to regulate temperature is surprisingly complex and depends on numerous varying factors, including circulation, energy production, and immune health. Vitamins and minerals play starring roles in those processes so your core temperature may be thrown off when they’re lacking.
What vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold? Let’s unpack it. We’ll talk about the key nutrients involved, why their absence messes with your warmth (or lack thereof!), and how you can bounce back with some simple changes to your diet and maybe a supplement or two.
What Vitamin Deficiency Causes You to Feel Cold?
When your body is lacking in certain vitamins and minerals, it can struggle to maintain heat or even generate it in the first place. You might notice cold hands and feet, feeling chilly even indoors, and a greater sensitivity to lower temperatures than others seem to.
Among the top offenders? Vitamin B12, Iron, and Vitamin D. Each of these vitamins and minerals influences different systems that affect how warm (or cold) you feel throughout the day. Feeling constantly shivery, having icy toes and fingertips, and needing to dress in autumn/winter clothing in spring and summer is a surefire hint you need to reassess your intake.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Alongside aiding brain function and immune system health, Vitamin B12 is a true MVP when it comes to your energy levels and circulation. First of all, it prevents anaemia through helping your body make red blood cells which transport oxygen all throughout your bloodstream. Meanwhile, it assists your body with converting food into energy so you don’t feel so tired. Without enough B12, your blood won’t carry enough oxygen, these functions will slow down, and you’ll start to lack energy and the ability to warm yourself up naturally. And that’s not all!
Other common symptoms of B12 deficiency include:
- Confusion
- Changes in mood
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Pale or jaundiced skin
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet, and more.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you’ll need to monitor your B12 intake even closer since it’s mainly found in animal products. Luckily, supplements can help fill in the gaps! Like our Fatigue Fighter Duo, Energy + B12 vitamin oral strips bundle. Featuring two of our best-selling dissolvable vitamin strips, DISO Energy, and DISO B12, it’s the ultimate combo for energy and focus. These easy-to-take supplements are designed to help you power through fatigue, sharpen your focus, and boost your performance.
If being cold from day to night is messing with your sleep schedule, try the DISO AM/PM Bundle - Energy & Sleep Strips . Say goodbye to sleepy mornings and upgrade your daytime energy levels with the Energy vitamin strips. Designed for improved mental clarity and drive, they contain B12, natural caffeine, and green tea for a crash-free boost. After dark, reach for your Snooze strips to settle your body and quiet your mind. They’re packed with helpful ingredients like valerian root, L-theanine, and calming botanicals that’ll help you wind down calmly and ease into a restful, relaxing sleep.
Iron Deficiency (AKA Anemia)
Another reason you may be feeling cold all the time? An iron deficiency. Iron is crucial for making haemoglobin (the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen), so when your iron levels drop, you’re susceptible to developing anemia. That means your tissues and organs won’t be getting enough oxygen which can cause you to feel not only cold, but also weak.
Wondering if you have anemia? Symptoms you might notice include:
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Iron deficiency is common, especially in women, with factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menstruation all playing a role. Therefore, it’s a good idea to monitor and increase your intake as needed through your diet and additional supplements.
Foods rich in iron include spinach, red meat, fortified cereals, chicken (dark meat especially), eggs, and lentils. Plan meals around regularly consuming plenty of these to keep iron levels steady! If animal products aren’t for you or you simply need to boost your iron in addition to your dietary intake, supplements, like our Iron Gummies for daily energy and iron support, can help you fill the gap safely.
Designed to help you fight fatigue by delivering 17mg of iron (plus vitamin C), these delicious, strawberry-flavoured gummies support red blood cell health, oxygen transport, and relieve tiredness. Take 1-2 daily for a natural energy boost.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin, is synthesised in your skin with exposure to sunlight. So, when the weather is gloomy or you’ve simply spent too much time indoors, you may become deficient. A vitamin D deficit affects your immune system and energy levels, which, as you might have guessed, indirectly impacts how your body manages temperature. Along with sensitivity to cold, you may also feel more tired, achy, and, thanks to the role vitamin D plays in regulating your hormones and neurotransmitters, you may even feel a little down emotionally.
Sounds like you? Don’t stress. There’s plenty you can do to solve it.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Vitamin D Deficiency?
Ooh, now you’re asking! Recovery time from a vitamin D deficiency can vary based on severity. It’ll also depend on how often you up your sunlight exposure time and supplement intake. Not the most helpful answer we know but, it’s really all down to you.
With regular supplementation and safe (we repeat, safe!) sun exposure, you might start feeling better within a few weeks, possibly a couple of months. However, restoring your vitamin D levels to where they healthily need to be is a longer-term process which may take up to 3 to 6 months.
If you’re really concerned about a Vitamin D deficiency, or any other deficiency for that matter, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. They may recommend blood tests to more accurately track your Vitamin D levels and give you a clearer picture of what’s going on which can help you quickly and accurately resolve any vitamin scarcity.
Other Possible Causes of Always Feeling Cold
So we know that vitamin deficiencies can cause cold sensitivity. However, they’re certainly not the only culprits. Constant coldness could also be a symptom of:
- Thyroid issues: This may slow down the metabolism which, in turn, reduces heat production.
- Low body weight: Less body fat means less insulation making it easier to feel cold.
- Poor circulation: Certain medical conditions, like Raynaud’s syndrome, can cause atypical coldness in the extremities.
- Dehydration or low-calorie intake: Both of these things can hinder your body’s ability to effectively generate enough heat to stay warm.
Now, not to repeat ourselves but, if you experience any of these symptoms persistently and the changes you make to your diet and supplementary intake don’t help, getting a second opinion from your doctor is always a good shout.
Why? Feeling cold all the time isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s your body telling you something, and that something is a craving for essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D! If you’re not able to sort that yourself, they may be able to help. Until then, head to our Wellness hub to learn more about supplements and the dietary adjustments you can make to naturally support your long-term health goals from the inside out.