🔥Anemia and red blood cell count
Are you feeling weak or fatigued? 🔥
You may be experiencing symptoms of anemia. Anemia occurs when your red blood cell (RBC) count is low. If your RBC count is low, your body has to work harder to deliver oxygen throughout your body.
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RBCs are the most common cells in human blood. The body produces millions each day. RBCs are produced in the bone marrow and circulate around the body for 120 days. Then, they go to the liver, which destroys them and recycles their cellular components.
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Anemia can put you at risk for a number of complications, so it’s important to get your RBC levels back on track as soon as possible.
Keep reading to learn how to increase your RBCs at home, how your doctor can help, and more.
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5 nutrients that increase red blood cell counts
Eating foods rich in these five nutrients can help you improve your red blood cell levels.
Iron
Eating an iron-rich diet can increase your body’s production of RBCs. Iron-rich foods include:
red meat, such as beef
organ meat, such as kidney and liver
dark, leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
dried fruits, such as prunes and raisins
beans
legumes
egg yolks
Folic acid
Adding certain B vitamins to your diet can also be beneficial. Foods high in vitamin B-9 (folic acid) include:
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enriched breads
enriched cereals
dark, leafy, green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
beans
lentils
peas
nuts
Vitamin B-12
Foods high in vitamin B-12 include:
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red meat, such as beef
fish
dairy products, such as milk and cheese
eggs
Copper
Copper intake doesn’t directly result in RBC production, but it can help your RBCs access the iron they need to replicate. Foods high in copper include:
poultry🎀
shellfish
liver
beans
cherries
nuts
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (retinol) also supports RBC production in this manner. Foods rich in vitamin A include:
dark, leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
sweet potatoes
squash
carrots
red peppers
fruits, such as watermelon, grapefruit, and cantaloupe
Learn more: Why copper is good for you »
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8 supplements that increase red blood cell counts
If you aren’t getting enough key nutrients through your diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking supplements. Certain supplements can help increase your RBC production or support related processes in your body.
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Some supplements can interact with medications that you may be taking, so be sure to get your doctor’s approval before adding them to your regimen.
Never take more than the recommended dosage found on the product’s label.
Supplements your doctor may suggest include:
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Iron: Iron deficiency commonly causes low RBC production. Women need about 18 milligrams (mg) per day, whereas men only need 8 mg per day.
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Vitamin C: This vitamin may help your body better absorb iron. The average adult needs about 500 mg per day.
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Copper: There may also be a link between low RBC production and copper deficiency. Women need 18 mg per day, and men need 8 mg per day. However, your daily copper requirement depends on a variety of factors, including sex, age, and body weight. Be sure to consult your doctor or a dietitian to understand how much you need.
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Vitamin A (retinol): Women need 700 micrograms (mcg) per day. For men, the recommendation increases to 900 mcg.
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Vitamin B-12: Most people who are 14 years and older need 2.4 mcg of this vitamin per day. If you’re pregnant, the recommended dosage raises to 2.6 mcg. If you’re breastfeeding, it jumps to 2.8 mcg.
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Vitamin B-9 (folic acid): The average person needs between 100 and 250 mcg per day. If you regularly menstruate, it’s recommended that you take 400 mcg. Women who are pregnant need 600 mcg per day.
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Vitamin B-6: Women need about 1.5 mg of this nutrient each day, and men need about 1.7 mg.
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Vitamin E: The average adult needs about 15 mg per day.
Learn more: The benefits of vitamin E »
Other lifestyle changes
If you’re eating a healthy diet and taking supplements, you’re off to a great start. Keep up this balanced approach by cutting back on or eliminating alcoholic beverages. Excessive drinking may lower your RBC count. For women, this is defined as more than one drink in one day. For men, this is more than two drinks in one day.
Regular exercise is also beneficial. In addition to promoting overall wellness, exercise is key to RBC production. Vigorous exercise causes your body to need more oxygen. When you need more oxygen, your brain signals your body to create more RBCs.
Your best bets for vigorous workouts include:
jogging
running
swimming
Check out: 3 ways to prevent anemia in pregnancy »
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How your doctor can help
In some cases, changes in diet or lifestyle alone aren’t enough alone to increase your RBC count to healthy levels. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following:
Medication to treat an underlying condition: If your RBC deficiency is caused by an underlying condition, such as hemorrhaging or a genetic disorder, medication may be necessary. Treating the underlying condition may help your RBC count return to normal.
Medication to stimulate RBC production: A hormone called erythropoietin is produced in the kidneys and liver and stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBCs. Erythropoietin can be used as a treatment for some forms of anemia. This treatment may be prescribed for anemia caused by kidney disease, chemotherapy, cancer, and other factors.
Blood transfusion: If medications aren’t working, your doctor may recommend a blood transfusion to boost your RBCs
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