Red blood cells flow through your blood arteries, delivering oxygen to all tissues and organs and transporting carbon dioxide from your cells to your lungs. Every cell in your body needs oxygen for energy and life.
If you have a low quantity of red blood cells or if they aren't operating properly, you will have little energy and may hurt your body. If you have a low red blood cell count, your doctor may propose lifestyle changes as well as medication intervention.
This blog will go through the signs and causes of low red blood cells (RBCs), as well as diet and lifestyle changes to promote healthy blood cells and when to contact a doctor.
Symptoms of anemia
Depending on the source, the symptoms of anemia might manifest immediately or slowly. Anemia symptoms may vary from moderate to severe, depending on your anemia’s severity and general health.
Anemia symptoms include fatigue, drowsiness, pale skin, headaches, dizziness, and others.
What functions do red blood cells serve?
Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to tissues and cells. RBCs contain cell membranes made up of lipids and proteins that are required for physiological activity when traveling through the circulatory system's capillary network.
Red blood cells also contribute to the elimination of carbon dioxide. They include the carbonic anhydrase enzyme, which enables water and carbon dioxide to react to generate carbonic acid while also separating hydrogen and bicarbonate ions.
Hydrogen ions bond with hemoglobin, whereas bicarbonate ions enter the plasma and remove around 70% of carbon dioxide. 20% of carbon dioxide binds to hemoglobin and is subsequently released into the lungs. Meanwhile, the remaining 7% dissolves in the plasma.
What are the causes of low blood cell count?
The most prevalent reason for a low red blood cell count is a lack of iron in the diet, as well as other minerals and nutrients. Eating meals high in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, and vitamin A may help raise your red blood cell count. Copper, vitamins B12, B6, B9, C, and E should also be included. Regular exercise and other lifestyle adjustments may also assist in boosting your red blood cell count.
How to boost red blood cell count
There are numerous methods for increasing red blood cell count. Increased consumption of nutrients such as Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), Vitamin B12, Iron, Copper, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E may boost RBC count. You can find vitamin c rich foods in our blog post
Red blood cells play a crucial role in carrying oxygen throughout the body, and a low red blood cell count, also known as anemia, can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. However, there are many natural ways to boost red blood cell count and improve overall health and well-being. These are;
Iron
Iron deficiency is a prominent cause of anemia, and eating more iron-rich foods will help. This substance promotes the formation of hemoglobin, a protein present in red blood cells, which raises RBC count. Iron is often found in red meat, lentils, eggs, beans, and dried fruits.
Folate
Folate is a form of vitamin B that is required for the production of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. Folic acid is a kind of folate supplement. Our bodies utilize folate to make heme, which is a necessary component of hemoglobin. A lack of this vitamin may prevent red blood cells from developing. Folate is abundant in leafy green foods such as spinach, peas, and lentils.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is essential for the production of red blood cells. A lack of this vitamin may cause irregular RBC formation and limit growth, which is known as megaloblastic anemia. This vitamin is mostly found in dairy products and animal-based meals such as red meat, fish, and shellfish. Furthermore, morning cereals are enriched with vitamin B12.
Copper
Copper is another key element that aids cells in accessing the molecular form of iron required by red blood cells throughout the iron metabolism process. Copper is present in chicken, shellfish, liver, whole grains, chocolate, beans, cherries, and nuts.
Exercise
Exercise is beneficial to everyone, even those with low RBC levels, and may help you both physically and emotionally. It keeps you healthy and helps you from getting certain diseases and disorders. Cardiovascular workouts like jogging, running, and swimming are the greatest, but any exercise is beneficial.
Exercise is essential for red blood cell formation. You feel weary and sweat a lot when you conduct intense activities. Vigorous activity necessitates a larger intake of oxygen by the body. If this occurs, the brain will get a warning that the body is low on oxygen, prompting the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. This transports and delivers the required oxygen.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that has many benefits for the body, including supporting a healthy immune system, helping with the production of collagen, and acting as an antioxidant.
Vitamin C, like copper, does not directly increase RBC synthesis but does promote iron absorption in the body. Having vitamin C-rich meals is very crucial when eating plant-based foods to meet your iron requirements. Combining vitamin C-rich foods with iron from non-heme sources will help your body absorb more iron.
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