Which foods increase red blood cells in the blood, and which ones decrease?

Red blood cells are a key element of the blood. With the help of these cells, oxygen, amino acids, and some groups of hormones are transported in the body.

They are also involved in a large amount of immune processes. Red blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, they are produced constantly. The average life span of red blood cells is 4 months.

How does nutrition affect the concentration of red blood cells in the blood at low or high levels?

What affects the level of red blood cells?

It is immediately necessary to clarify that the body independently regulates the number of red blood cells produced based on the amount of oxygen received.

The less it is, the more red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow to prevent oxygen deficiency. Conversely, the higher its concentration in the air, the fewer red blood cells are synthesized in the bone marrow.

Nutrition affects the production of red blood cells only indirectly. But in some cases, it may be possible to normalize low or elevated red blood cell levels only by adjusting the diet.

But how does diet affect the concentration of red blood cells? In fact, the cell is fully formed after the synthesis of a hemoglobin molecule. A according to research , iron, some groups of amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, and B groups are necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. The erythrocytes themselves consist mainly of protein complexes.

Accordingly, the use of foods rich in the above elements helps to stimulate the production of red blood cells (if the body needs them).

The exclusion of such products contributes to a slight decrease in the concentration of red blood cells. The normal level is from 3.7 to 5.15 million cells per microliter of blood.

7 Products that Boost Them

To raise the level of red blood cells in the blood as quickly as possible, doctors recommend using iron-containing foods. It is also necessary to follow certain nutrition rules to increase the volume of red blood cells in the blood. Among the most effective products are the following:

1. Beetroot (and beet juice).  Beetroot is one of the best remedies to fight anemia , a lack of red blood cells in the blood. It is recommended to use the juice in diluted form (1 to 1 with water), no more than 500 milliliters per day.
2. Apples.  Apples are rich in iron , which stimulates the production of hemoglobin, and with it, red blood cells. In addition, apples contain slightly less ascorbic acid (vitamin C) than lemons.
3. Meat offal. Especially Beef or pork liver are useful for boosting red blood cells , lungs, kidneys. They contain both iron and amino acids (including essential ones), thanks to which hemoglobin is formed.
4. Buckwheat porridge. From cereals – only buckwheat increases the concentration of red blood cells in the blood. In this regard, nutritionists also recommend including jelly from oat flakes in the diet (infusing in boiling water).
5. Chicken eggs .  Moreover, it is necessary to use yolks. Quail are also suitable – they are safe to eat fresh.
6. Tomatoes. Also increase the concentration of red blood cells, and at the same time prevent an increase in blood viscosity. But it is worth considering that the consumption of tomatoes disrupts the balance of shaped elements (for example, the number of platelets may decrease slightly).
7. Dried Fruits . Prunes, dried apricots, and grapes are especially useful. They are rich in B-group vitamins and iron. But you should not consume more than 70-80 grams per day (due to the high sugar content).

With high erythrocytes, all of the above food should, on the contrary, be excluded.

And what reduces their content?

In addition to following a certain diet, in order to reduce the concentration of red blood cells in the blood, it is necessary to ensure sufficient fluid intake into the body – it is water that is the main plasma in which red blood cells subsequently move. In addition to water, you should eat:

1. Fermented dairy products. Almost all of them have a high content of calcium, which slows down the absorption of iron. Along with this Hemoglobin levels are decreasing .
2. Fish. Is rich in simple amino acids and omega-3, which comprehensively normalizes the biochemical composition of the blood.
3. Watermelon. Consists mainly of liquid, normalizes the water-salt balance of plasma. It also helps to thin the blood.
4. Walnuts. Among plant foods, the richest in omega–3 unsaturated fatty acids, which normalize the biochemical composition of the blood.
5. Potatoes. Perfectly replaces glucose, thereby contributing to blood thinning. It is better to eat boiled or baked, fried – a large amount of cholesterol, which will create additional stress on the cardiovascular system.

 

Interesting video

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Conclusion

In total, both increased and decreased red blood cell levels negatively affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Changing the diet, including foods that stimulate or slow down the formation of hemoglobin molecules, will help to maintain a normal concentration of red blood cells.