Foods To Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Oxygen is important for every cell in the body, without it the cells cannot function. Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells or their oxygen carrying capacity is insufficient to meet the basic physiologic need of the body. So, improve your red blood cell count by including these foods in your daily diet.

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Red blood cells and iron deficiency:

Iron deficiency is believed to be the most common cause of anaemia. When the body is unable to generate enough iron inside, it is unable to produce sufficient haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is an iron in the form of heme containing protein in the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body.

For More on Haemoglobin: Iron Sources for Vegetarians

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Causes of anaemia:

Anaemia is caused due to deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B12 and C, which leads to low haemoglobin count. Other causes are blood loss through an accident, bone marrow defects, cancer, kidney infections or the use of certain drugs, overuse of painkillers or in women due to heavy menstrual flow. Sometimes a surgery to the intestines can affect the ability of the intestines to absorb iron.

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Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Symptoms of Anaemia:

Common symptoms are low on iron are pale skin, weakness, unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of concentration. A blood test could confirm the deficiency. There are tests like ferreting for serum iron, a simple CBC, which assesses haemoglobin.

For More on Anaemia: Dangers of Excess Iron Intake

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Low RBC and Disease:

A low iron count or haemoglobin count should be taken care of immediately as it affects the metabolism of the body. It is a sign of a disease in process rather than a disease itself. Chronic anaemia like the sickle cell anaemia, anaemis due to kidney disease, thalassemia, hemolytic anaemia do need medical intervention. It would be wise to make certain dietary changes, which will go a long way to prevent anaemia caused due to poor nutrition.

For More on Anaemia: Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Vitamin B:

Folic acid and vitamin B12 are needed to produce sufficient red blood cells. In folic acid deficiency, the RBC¡¯s produced are unusually large and have a shortened life span. Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin and therefore cannot be stored on a regular basis, the body will exhaust its supply of foliate in about three months if the diet is deficient.

For More on Vitamin B: Importance of Folic Acid

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Vitamin B diet:

To take care of folate deficiency, eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables like spinach, fenugreek, beans, lentils like masoor dal, moong dal, toor dal, urad dal. It¡¯s also important to avoid overcooking vegetables and avoid leaving them out at room temperature for an extended period of time as this can significantly decrease their folic acid content.

For More on Vitamin B: Understanding the Importance of Vitamin B

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 deficiency is seen in strict vegetarians, because B12 is found in animal products. In some cases, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the stomach cells, decreasing the amount of protein called the intrinsic factor, which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 from food. Include liver, tuna, eggs and vegetarians can include milk, cheese and yogurt.

For More on Vitamin B12: Sources of Vitamin B12 for Vegetarians

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Iron:

Asparagus, sesame seeds, almonds, figs and black raisins are rich sources of iron. Eating a few almonds, black raisins and one fig, can ensure a good supply of iron in the day. A sumptuous mid meal made of saut¨¦ed asparagus, with sesame seeds speckled and some almonds, black raisins and a dried fig can boost one's iron and folic acid levels.

For More on Iron: Top 18 Foods Rich in Iron to Boost Haemoglobin

Foods to Increase Red Blood Cell Count

Cooking method: Cooking in iron utensils will enhance the iron content of the food being cooked.

For More on Cooking: Healthy Cooking Methods Explained