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health advisory Hospital Mens Health 2007-11-15 5:38:04

I'm cold when others are warm or hot. Is there some way I can help this by my diet, I'm normal build ,perhaps a bit underweight.

Just what takes place in our body that creates heat that makes us "warm blooded?

Answer:

The process that creates heat in our bodies is this:

Overall thermoregulation is a function of the hypothalamus, a portion of the diencephalon of the brain. One of its functions is to activate, control and integrate many sonomic functions such as body temperature. Also metabolism plays a role. Metabolism is a two part process: anabolism, a constructive metabolic function that converts simple substances into more complex compounds and catabolism that breaks down complex substances into simple compounds. This process frees energy for use in work, energy storage AND heat production.

A third factor is adipose tissue. This is the layer of loose connective tissue comprised of fat cells underneath the skin. Adipose acts as an insulation and helps to maintain body heat and a feeling of warmth.

In case you're wondering what you can do to make yourself more comfortable, you can increase your carbohydrate intake, increase your calorie intake to promote more adipose tissue (gain weight) and wear an extra layer of clothing in the meantime. Yours is a common problem for very slender or thin people.

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The ATP-ADP cycle.

Underweight people may be more likely to "feel" cold because of a thinner protective fat layer, which is an insulator. I wouldn't worry about it.

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Adding a little cayenne pepper to your meals will help increase your circulation and help heat you up some.