Cold Hands and Feet

Poor blood circulation may make you feel the cold more than others; especially you will have your cold hands and feet much more than other parts of your body. You may look pale and be prone to problems such as chilblains, low energy, sluggish digestion and constipation, particularly in winter. People with poor circulation may be born with it or else it can be related to stress and tension, a sedentary lifestyle, a weak or aging heart, or hardening of the arteries.

To prevent poor circulation that causes cold hands and feet, try to take plenty of exercise to move the blood and strengthen the heart and also avoid smoking as it constricts the blood vessels and encourages plaque to form in your arteries, thereby slowing the circulation. Restrict your tea and coffee intake can keep you away from getting cold hands and feet as they also constrict your blood vessels and exacerbate tension. Try to keep warm in cold weather and do not wear tight clothes as the will impede blood flow.

When it comes to food, the best thing you can do is avoid anything cold. Lovely hot soups with plenty of warming ingredients such as garlic, onions and leeks liberally spiced with ginger, cayenne or mustard to stimulate the circulation can help to warm your cold hands and feet, especially to the very ends of your fingers and toes. A steaming cup of ginger tea will do just as well whether you drink it or use it as a hot foot bath for 10 minutes. Ingredients rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin E (such as nuts and seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables) are as well great remedies for cold hands and feet because these ingredients help relieve constriction in the blood vessels and improve blood flow.

Iron and vitamin C-rich foods like watercress, parsley, apricots, prunes and blackcurrants dilate the arteries and help prevent anaemia which increases sensitivity to cold. Omega-3 essential fatty acids such as those found in fatty fish, evening primrose oil and linseed oil improve the circulation and help to prevent fatty deposits in the arteries.