WHICH PROTEIN THE MOST IMPORTANT PROTEIN OF BLOOD?

Hi! Okay, I know that this is a stupid question and i shouldn’t have asked it because everybody knows the answer – HEAMOGLOBIN.

But then, why did I ask? Dear Readers, everybody knows what haemoglobin is, but very few people know the consequences of low haemoglobin count in their blood. So, in this post I have tried to give some useful remedies to increase your haemoglobin.

What is haemoglobin?

It is an iron-rich protein in the body composed of haematin that carries iron and globin which is the protein.It is the part of the blood that transports life-sustaining oxygen to the cells of the body and transports the waste carbon dioxide away from the cells. As such, it is a vital component of your health. If your haemoglobin count is low, you can suffer many illnesses.

Normal haemoglobin count:

In adult men, a normal haemoglobin range is 14-18 gm./dl.

In adult women, this range is lower at 12-16 gm./dl.

Pregnant women may have haemoglobin counts as low as 11-12 gm./dl.

As one ages, it is normal for the haemoglobin count to decrease by 2-3 gm./dl. Newborns have a very high normal haemoglobin count of 17-22 gm./dl which will decrease over time until a normal haemoglobin for a child stabilizes at 11-16 gm./dl.

Low haemoglobin count causes:

Iron deficiency in the diet: A deficiency in haemoglobin can lead to iron deficiency anaemia and a low haemoglobin count, because iron affects the body’s ability to make the mineral.

Poor absorption of iron: Even if one takes in iron-rich food, if he/she has a disease such as Celiac or Crohn’s disease that inhibits one’s intestine to absorb iron, he/she will have low haemoglobin.

Bleeding and blood loss: Losing a lot of blood quickly or sustained losses overtime may also lead to low haemoglobin count.

decreased red blood cell production:  If one has any disease that keeps his/her body from producing red blood cells (leukemia, kidney disease, decreased thyroid, etc.), the person’s hemoglobin count will be low. Certain medications (for example, chemotherapy) may also cause decreased red cell production.

Destruction of blood cell can also be a cause.

How to increase haemoglobin?

Unless you have a underlying disease, there are several ways to increase your haemoglobin count.

Foods to increase haemoglobin:

Iron rich food: Meat, beef, liver, shrimp, spinach, tofu, asparagus, pineapple, dried fruits, iron-enriched breads and grains.

Seafood: Seafood is an excellent source of haemoglobin. Various varieties of seafood like tuna, clams, catfish, salmon, oysters and sardines are good sources of haemoglobin.

Meat: Meat is the richest source of haemoglobin. Meat also contains vitamin B-12, which helps to maintain the normal iron level in the body. Red meat is the best source of haemoglobin.

Eggs: Egg yolks are another very rich source of haemoglobin. Egg yolks are rich in iron and helps in the production of haemoglobin.

Dairy products: Dairy product such as milk, buttermilk, paneer, curd and cheese are good sources of haemoglobin. Food items like egg and hamburger meat are also good sources of haemoglobin.

 

Vegetables: Vegetables like beetroot and spinach, which is easily available in market, helps in the formation of haemoglobin. This helps to boost the level of blood count.

Fruits: Fruits are another great source of iron. Fruits contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals along with iron, which is very useful for the human body. The fruits rich in iron are watermelons, raisins, grapefruits, tomatoes, apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries and avocados.

Spices: Spices like thyme, cumin seed, oregano, basil, cinnamon and sage are rich sources of iron. Therefore, don’t forget to include these spices in your diet.

Grains: Breads, pasta and cereals are primary sources of iron. Grains like pearled barley, wheat flour, rice, long-grain brown rice, forfeited cereals and breads are also good sources of iron. Whole grains are the best sources of fibre as well.

Dried fruits: Dried fruits like dried apricots, prunes, dates and raisins are excellent sources of haemoglobin. The high iron content in the dried fruit helps forming the red pigment in the blood.

Chocolate: Here is a good news for chocolate lovers. Chocolates and cocoa powder can considerably increase the haemoglobin levels.

Supplements to Increase Haemoglobin:

Your healthcare provider may want you to take prescription or over-the-counter supplements to increase your haemoglobin level.  Some of these supplements may include iron (20-25 mg per day), vitamin B6 (50-100 mg per day), vitamin B12 (500-1000 mg per day), vitamin C (1000 mg per day) and folic acid (400 mcg per day). The iron helps in the synthesis of the haematin. The vitamins and folic acid are critical for the production of the red blood cells that carry the haemoglobin.

 

 Herbs to Increase Haemoglobin:

Herbs can be very useful when trying to increase your haemoglobin level. Specifically, nettle leaf, dong quai, and withania may be helpful. Nettle leaf contains iron, the B vitamins, vitamin C and other vitamins that can help increase haemoglobin. Dong quai and withania have been used for centuries to increase red blood cells and to make the haemoglobin in the cells healthier. As with any over-the-counter supplement or herb, be sure to check with your healthcare provider to ensure that the herbs do not interact with other medications you may be taking.

 Blood Transfusion to Increase Haemoglobin:

Particularly if low haemoglobin is due to blood loss from surgery or trauma, your healthcare provider may recommend a blood transfusion to replace the haemoglobin that has been lost. Except in the case of massive blood loss, your doctor will typically try other methods to increase your haemoglobin before using a transfusion.

Things to Avoid:

• Iron Blockers: There are foods that block your body from absorbing iron. Avoid drinks such as coffee, tea, milk, and colas and foods that contain a lot of fibre and calcium. Over-the-counter antacids can also block the absorption of iron.
• Oxalic Acid Foods: In some people, foods high in oxalic acid (such as parsley) may bind with iron and not allow your body to absorb the iron.
• Food with Gluten: If you have celiac disease, you should avoid gluten- containing foods such as wheat since the gluten can block the absorption of iron.