It’s no myth that women are more prone to cold hands and feet than men. The problem occurs when blood vessels constrict or become obstructed, causing extremities to change in color from pink to purple, blue, or white. The source can be anything from exposure to extreme cold, poor circulation due to heart disease, frostbite, stress, side effects of medications, and prolonged work with vibrating equipment such as jackhammers.Chinese medicine considers coldness in the body to be due to a diminished flow of the body’s yang (or fire energy) or as the result of insufficient blood. But diet and lifestyle changes along with exercise can help relieve the symptoms. Eat plenty of omega-3 rich foods such as mackerel, herring, salmon, and anchovies. Also, incorporate blood-building meats such as lamb, beef, and wild game into your diet. Iron-rich foods can help warm up those cold hands – try spinach, broccoli, dried plums, oats, quinoa, sunflower and sesame seeds, walnuts, yams, squash, kale, onions, leeks, chives, garlic, scallions, and parsley. Use spices liberally, and drink only warm or hot water.Caffeine constricts blood vessels, so skip coffee. Also avoid alcohol, smoking, raw foods and those containing preservatives and additives.Live long, strong and happy,Dr. Mao
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