Blood over gold: Why red blood cells are important and how to get them

Red blood cells are carrier of oxygen in our body. They transfer it from lungs to whole body, then return back with carbon dioxide to lungs so we can exhale it. If we have few of them, we suffer from anemia, which causes weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness and other unwanted symptoms. We can increase number of red blood cells simply by diet or some types of exercise. What food should we eat for healthier blood? Dangerous is of course also when we lose lot of blood for example in injury. Why is it important to donate blood and what are donated red blood cells used for?

5 nutritious substances that help body produce red blood cells

1. Iron

Foods rich in iron increase our own production of red blood cells. Iron contains for example red meat - beef, organ meat - for example liver, dark leafy vegetables - spinach, kale, dried fruit, beans, legumes, egg yolks.

2. Folic acid

Foods rich in folic acid are quality bread and cereals, leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, nuts.

3. Vitamin B-12

Red meat, fish, dairy products, eggs.

4. Copper

Did you know that copper is important mineral? Although it doesn't directly affect formation of red blood cells, it helps them absorb iron they need for replicating. Copper is naturally found in poultry, shrimp, liver, beans, cherries or nuts.

5. Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps reproduction of red blood cells in its own way too. It is found naturally in leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, red pepper, fruit like melon, grapefruit.

How does exercise help in formation of red blood cells?

Besides healthy diet and limited alcohol use regular exercise helps production of red blood cells too. How? Intense exercise causes our body to need more oxygen. When it needs more oxygen, brain signals body to create more red blood cells. Most suitable is for example swimming or for example running.

Be FIT and have healthy blood

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Why is blood donation very important?

Recent studies showed that blood transfusion is needed in world every two seconds. It can be obtained only from voluntary blood donors. It is often subsequently used precisely in patients with chronic anemia, which can result in kidney failure or gastrointestinal bleeding. Blood is very important also in patients who suffered severe injury or heavy bleeding and need "new" blood. Donated red blood cells can also be used in treatment of patients with various blood diseases.

Sources of information: Healthline.com, Redcrossblood.org