Can Low Vitamin C Cause You to Feel Cold?

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study published in Nutrients, individuals with low vitamin C intake showed poorer iron absorption. This critical link between micronutrients suggests that yes, a lack of this essential vitamin can contribute to you feeling cold more often.

Quick Summary

A deficiency in vitamin C can disrupt the body's ability to maintain a normal temperature, primarily by affecting iron absorption and blood vessel health. This can lead to chronic cold sensitivity in the extremities.

Key Points

Indirect Cause: A lack of vitamin C contributes to feeling cold primarily through secondary effects, not as a direct temperature regulator.
Iron Absorption: Vitamin C significantly enhances the absorption of non-heme iron, and its deficiency can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, a known cause of cold sensitivity.
Vascular Integrity: Vitamin C is vital for collagen production, which strengthens blood vessel walls and improves circulation, especially to the extremities.
Circulation Impact: Weakened blood vessels from a vitamin C deficiency can result in poor blood flow to the hands and feet, causing chronic cold sensations.
Adrenal and Thyroid Health: Vitamin C supports the adrenal glands, which work with the thyroid to regulate metabolism and heat production. Adrenal stress due to low vitamin C can disrupt this balance.
Holistic Approach: Feeling cold can stem from multiple issues, including deficiencies in iron and B12, so a holistic assessment is important.

The Connection Between Vitamin C and Body Temperature

Thermoregulation is the body's process of maintaining a stable internal temperature, regardless of external factors. A lack of certain nutrients, including vitamin C, can hinder this process. While low vitamin C doesn't directly act as a chill-inducing agent, its deficiency can trigger secondary effects that lead to cold sensitivity. The primary mechanisms include impaired iron absorption and poor circulation due to weakened blood vessels.

The Critical Link to Iron Absorption

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in enhancing the absorption of non-heme iron, the type found in plant-based foods. Even if a person consumes plenty of iron-rich foods, insufficient vitamin C means the body cannot utilize that iron effectively. Low iron absorption can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. One of the classic symptoms of anemia is feeling constantly cold, especially in the hands and feet, because of poor oxygen transport in the blood. By ensuring proper iron absorption, vitamin C indirectly helps maintain core body warmth.

How Vitamin C Supports Blood Vessel Health and Circulation

Vitamin C is essential for producing collagen, a key structural protein for healthy blood vessels and connective tissues. A deficiency weakens the walls of blood vessels, making them fragile and prone to damage. This can lead to impaired circulation, where blood flow is not efficiently delivered to the extremities. Poor circulation, particularly to the hands and feet, is a common reason for experiencing cold sensations. Scurvy, the severe form of vitamin C deficiency, is characterized by widespread capillary fragility and hemorrhaging, which further illustrates the vitamin's importance for vascular integrity.

The Impact on Thyroid and Adrenal Function

Beyond iron and circulation, vitamin C is also linked to the health of the adrenal and thyroid glands, both of which are vital for regulating metabolism and energy production. Chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, which in turn can affect thyroid function. Since the thyroid controls the body's metabolic rate, a slower metabolism reduces overall heat production, potentially contributing to feelings of coldness. Vitamin C supports adrenal health and may indirectly aid in maintaining a balanced metabolic rate.

Other Factors Influencing Cold Sensitivity

While low vitamin C is a contributing factor, other nutritional deficiencies and health issues also cause cold sensitivity. It is important to consider a holistic view of one's health to pinpoint the exact cause of persistent coldness.

Comparing Factors Contributing to Feeling Cold


Factor	How It Causes Cold Sensitivity	Role of Vitamin C	How to Address It
Iron Deficiency Anemia	Impairs oxygen transport via red blood cells, leading to poor circulation and a feeling of coldness.	Enhances the absorption of non-heme iron. A deficiency can exacerbate anemia.	Increase intake of iron-rich foods (e.g., meat, legumes) alongside vitamin C sources.
Poor Circulation	Weak blood vessels and inefficient blood flow, especially to extremities, reduce warmth.	Crucial for collagen production, which strengthens blood vessel walls.	Regular exercise, staying hydrated, and maintaining adequate vitamin C intake.
Thyroid Dysfunction	An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows metabolism, decreasing the body's heat production.	Supports adrenal function, which is linked to thyroid health. Can also improve absorption of some thyroid medications.	Consult a doctor for thyroid testing and treatment. Ensure a balanced diet.
B12 Deficiency	Impairs red blood cell production, similar to iron deficiency, leading to anemia and coldness.	No direct role in B12 function, but both deficiencies can co-exist.	Incorporate B12-rich foods (e.g., meat, dairy, fortified cereals) or supplements.
Overall Poor Nutrition	Lacking essential vitamins and minerals hampers the body's ability to produce and conserve heat.	A foundational nutrient for overall health, immunity, and tissue repair.	Eat a balanced, nutrient-dense diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Strategies to Increase Vitamin C and Mitigate Cold Sensitivity

If a deficiency is suspected, a healthcare professional can confirm it with a blood test. Dietary adjustments are the most natural way to increase vitamin C intake. Good sources include citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, kiwi, and broccoli. For those with inadequate dietary intake or specific health conditions, supplementation may be necessary. Combining vitamin C with iron-rich foods can maximize iron absorption. Addressing any other coexisting nutritional deficiencies or health issues is also critical for a comprehensive approach.

Conclusion

While feeling cold can be caused by many factors, low vitamin C can certainly play a role by negatively impacting iron absorption and overall circulation. By ensuring sufficient vitamin C, either through diet or supplements, individuals can support their body's thermoregulation and improve their cold tolerance. A consultation with a healthcare professional can help determine if a nutritional deficiency is the root cause of persistent cold sensations. The importance of balanced nutrition for maintaining body warmth cannot be overstated.

Frequently Asked Questions

A vitamin C deficiency can indirectly affect body temperature by impairing the absorption of iron, a mineral essential for oxygen transport, which can lead to anemia. It also weakens blood vessel walls by disrupting collagen formation, resulting in poor circulation to the extremities.

Yes, a deficiency in iron can cause you to feel cold. Iron is needed to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells, which transports oxygen throughout the body. Poor oxygen transport, a hallmark of anemia, reduces circulation and can lead to a constant feeling of coldness.

Vitamin C is essential for absorbing non-heme iron from plant-based foods. Without enough vitamin C, the body cannot absorb iron efficiently, potentially causing iron-deficiency anemia and its associated symptom of feeling cold.

Yes, poor circulation resulting from low vitamin C can make you feel cold. Vitamin C is needed for collagen, which is critical for strong blood vessel walls. A deficiency weakens these vessels, leading to inefficient blood flow to extremities like the hands and feet.

You can increase your vitamin C intake by consuming fruits like oranges, strawberries, and kiwi, and vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes. Eating these alongside iron-rich foods can enhance iron absorption.

Other symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include fatigue, irritability, frequent bruising, bleeding gums, slow-healing wounds, dry and rough skin, and joint pain.

You should see a doctor if you experience persistent or unexplained feelings of coldness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, paleness, or pain. A medical professional can perform tests to diagnose any underlying nutritional deficiencies or other health issues.