Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. It also transfers carbon dioxide from your cells to your lungs for exhalation. Low hemoglobin levels may be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- A lack of iron
- Anemia
- Pregnancy
- Liver issues
- Infections of the urinary tract
Are you looking for ways to increase your hemoglobin levels naturally? Look no further! In this blog post, we'll be sharing tips for boosting your hemoglobin levels.
What causes low hemoglobin levels?
Low hemoglobin, also known as anemia, is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. When blood platelet or hemoglobin levels drop, it may induce weariness, weakness, poor appetite, headaches, lethargy, shortness of breath, dizziness, and rapid pulse.
Symptoms of low hemoglobin
Symptoms of low hemoglobin can include:
- Fatigue and weakness: Hemoglobin is necessary for the transport of oxygen to the body's tissues, so a lack of hemoglobin can lead to a lack of energy and tiredness.
- Pale skin: The skin may appear pale or yellowish due to the lack of oxygen-rich red blood cells.
- Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath: The body may try to compensate for the lack of oxygen by increasing heart rate or breathing rate.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: These symptoms may occur due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.
- Headaches: can be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain
- Cold hands and feet: lack of oxygen can make fingers, toes, and skin feel cold
- Bruising or bleeding easily: Hemoglobin also helps blood to clot, so a lack of hemoglobin can lead to easy bruising or bleeding
- Nail's ridges, spoon-shaped nails: can also be an indication of low hemoglobin levels
It's important to note that not everyone with anemia will experience all of these symptoms and some people may have other symptoms not listed here. If you suspect that you have anemia, it's important to talk to your doctor, especially if you have persistent symptoms or have risk factors for anemia.
Hemoglobin and Iron
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in the production of hemoglobin and the transport of oxygen throughout the body.
The first step in naturally increasing your hemoglobin level is to begin eating more iron. Iron-rich foods include anything from kale to broccoli.
Folate is also beneficial to hemoglobin absorption. Folate is a B vitamin that your body utilizes to make heme, which is a component of red blood cells that includes hemoglobin. Red blood cells cannot develop if you do not have enough folate. This may result in anemia from a lack of folate and low hemoglobin levels.
How to raise hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin is a vital component of red blood cells that helps transport oxygen throughout the body, and maintaining healthy levels can be crucial for overall well-being. Here are some ways to raise your hemoglobin levels;
Supplemental iron
If you need to significantly increase your hemoglobin level, you may need to take iron supplements.
Work with your doctor to determine a safe dosage, and don't take more than 25 milligrams (mg) at once.
Depending on the underlying illness producing low hemoglobin, you should see a change in your iron level within a week to a month.
Consume more apples
Apples are high in iron and other minerals that promote hemoglobin production. You may eat an apple every day or drink juice prepared from half a cup of apple and beet juice twice a day. Pomegranate is also high in iron, calcium, fiber, and protein, which may help boost hemoglobin levels and improve blood flow.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate with more than 80% cacao has been shown to spontaneously increase hemoglobin levels in the blood. Dark chocolate, in addition to being high in nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants, is also high in iron, with one medium-sized bar delivering up to 6.9% of the daily necessary iron consumption.
Nettle tea
Nettle is a plant that is high in vitamins B and C, as well as iron, both of which help to increase hemoglobin levels. Allow two tablespoons of dried nettle leaves to soak in a cup of boiling water for around 10 minutes. Strain and finish with a touch of honey. This should be consumed twice a day.
Vitamins A and C
It is necessary to get iron via meals or supplements, but a person should also aid their body absorb that iron. Vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and leafy green vegetables, may increase iron absorption. Taking a vitamin C supplement may also be beneficial .
Vitamin C is essential for hemoglobin, and the best way to track your vitamin C intake goes through urine tests. Check out Vivoo test strips! They give results on 9 wellness parameters in 90 seconds! Your wellness depends on your nutrition intake, and with Vivoo, you can know about your calcium, magnesium and sodium levels all from the comfort of your home.
Iron absorption and utilization may be aided by vitamin A and beta-carotene. Fish, liver, sweet potatoes, and kale are examples of vitamin A-rich foods.
Folic acid
Folic acid, a B-complex vitamin, is essential for the formation of red blood cells, and a lack of folic acid results in low hemoglobin levels. Bananas, broccoli, chicken liver, wheat germ, dry beans, green vegetables, and sprouts are all rich sources of folic acid. In fact, beetroot is one of the richest sources of folic acid.
What are iron preventers?
Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, wine, or beer, which are all iron blockers, particularly if you already have low hemoglobin levels.
Consume enough of these meals while avoiding iron blocks. If your hemoglobin levels drop drastically, see a doctor.
When should you see a doctor?
Many individuals may increase their hemoglobin levels by making dietary adjustments and using supplements. Consult your doctor to establish the proper supplement dose. Some forms of low hemoglobin cannot be corrected only with diet and supplementation. If you have any severe symptoms of low hemoglobin, see your doctor.
If a person's hemoglobin levels stay low, he or she may need further therapy, such as a blood transfusion.
Depending on the reason of the low hemoglobin and the therapies tried, it may take up to a year for levels to return to normal.
