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With the arrival of cooler temperatures my cold hands and feet are back. They're way better than they used to be pre-paleo but still a problem-- any special foods, nutrients or techniques you've found to help?

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I get non-frostbite cold injury (chilblains) in the winter if I am not careful and shield my extremities with wool and/or heat them up too quickly -so any tips are tricks very interesting to me! – Evolutionarypsy Sep 22 2011 at 1:12

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Could be a sluggish thyroid/subclinical hypothyroidism. My advice would be to try supporting/nourishing your thyroid with supplemental selenium and iodine (just make sure to slowly increase the latter to avoid triggering any reactive hyperthyroidism). Consider upping your carbohydrate intake to at least 20% if not there already, and make sure to balance your muscle meat intake with gelatine, as excessive tryptophan and cysteine can have antimetabolic eg anti-thyroid effects.

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Hmm, is it possible to have cold extremities without being hypothyroid? I don't really have too many other hypothyroid type symptoms that I'm aware of... – Rockgrrl Sep 22 2011 at 0:53
In your case I would lean more to "subclinical hypothyroidism", commonly but not ncessarily associated with higher free TSH but normal T4 levels It can be silent and drag on for years without symptoms, it can sometimes be the first step towards clinical hypothyroidism and sometimes it can just clear up on its own. It often seems to be associated with long-term low carb diets. – Simibee Sep 22 2011 at 1:05
I agree. I highly recommend Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Kelp Granules as a natural way to obtain iodine. I didn't notice a taste difference when I used it as a seasoning in addition to sea salt. – CJ Sep 22 2011 at 1:14
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+1 fingers turn almost blue. I appreciate the responses related to the thyroid, but I"m with Rockgrrl in that I don't evidence other thyroid issues. – Tom R. Sep 22 2011 at 2:28
I do already eat lots of gelatin and seaweed fairly regularly. – Rockgrrl Sep 22 2011 at 3:25
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I have poor circulation due to a disability; I set hot water bottles on my thighs when I'm sitting at my work desk. They really help to keep my entire body warm. Using cayenne pepper caps as a supplement can also help to warm you up & to improve circulation. For some reason, I also tend to feel warm when I'm fasting -- it's weird, because I know that most people get chilly when fasting; not sure how to explain why I often feel a warm, buzzing feeling when I'm IFing.

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Ever since I got my D level up on the high end (91 ng/ml), I have noticed no more cold extremities.
In fact, I seem to be running warmer lately.

I used to have Reynaud's as well, but not since going Primal.

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I'm a Minnesotan who sets my thermostat down to 62 in winter, and I learned something priceless years ago, pre-paleo, but relevant. DO NOT wear long-johns in the house. Or I mean, don't try to keep you legs warm by other means. Regular trousers are fine of course, or bathrobe or whatever, but go chicken-legged underneath.

Your body needs to feel the chill in you extremities in order to regulate your core temperature appropriately. Sacrifice your legs to the god of winter, and you'll always have springtime in your heart.

Ooooo, that's gotta be the worst turn of phrase I ever came up with.

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Sounds authoritative and worth a try! – Rockgrrl Sep 22 2011 at 14:11
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I have Raynauds, have had for years - white numb fingers and toes if they get cold. Only 2 years ago I found I had thyroid disease - hashimotos. As Simibee said there is a common link.

I found auto-immune paleo with more than 100 grams carbs a day, fish oil, magnesium, regular food and fluid (dehydration triggers attacks) all help.

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I have Raynauds as well. Being born in FL and then moving to Olahoma was killer (and OK isn't event that cold.) I need to try this. – Flip Sep 22 2011 at 11:56
Where I live isn't even cold either, Never gets to freezing. But I still get white fingers going to the supermarket – julianne Sep 23 2011 at 3:07
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I always get cold extremeties in the cooler seasons - it kind of makes me not want to move - but therein lies the solution - I usually make myself just get up and move around (even just a few star jumps and a quick high intensity wriggle around!). Gets the blood flowing and makes me warmer.

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Yes, brief exercise helps me too, as does getting angry, incidentally. – Rockgrrl Sep 22 2011 at 3:23
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I am hypothyroid and used to ofen get cold hands and feet. One thing that helped was to wear magnetic insoles in my shoes- seems the increased circulation helped.

Now I just deke out and go to a warm country in the winter.

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Check into a traditional Chinese herbal formula called Si Ni San. It's good for the microcirculation and can help with cold hands and feet.

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related paleo hacks question:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/25624/raynauds-disease-cold-numb-white-toes-and-fingers-and-paleo#axzz1YgGaKZE9

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I don't have anything resembling raynauds, just chilly feet mostly. – Rockgrrl Sep 22 2011 at 14:10
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Since you asked for techniques to keep your hands and feet warm in the winter, you could wear gloves when you're outside and a sweater when inside. Wear heavy wool socks all the time. Thermal underwear also works but can be uncomfortably hot.

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I should have said, "in spite of dressing appropriately for the weather". – Rockgrrl Sep 22 2011 at 14:13

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