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6 foods that help increase red blood cell count

Red blood cells (RBCs) are essential to ensure the proper functioning of vital organs in the body. The transportation of nutrients and oxygen to these organs depends heavily on RBCs. It’s important to note that insufficient RBCs can lead to organ dysfunction, which is why maintaining a healthy RBC count is crucial. Fortunately, one way to achieve this is through proper nutrition. Several foods can help increase RBC count, ensuring the body functions at its best.

Pumpkin seeds
These seeds are well-known for their cardiovascular health benefits and can also help increase a person’s red blood cell count.

Pumpkin seeds have a characteristic crunchy feel, making them a handy snack option for people to munch on every now and again. More importantly, these seeds contain almost eight milligrams of iron along with nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and manganese. All these elements are essential to boost red blood cell production in a person’s body.

Moreover, pumpkin seeds also contain loads of copper, another mineral associated with increasing the red blood cells in the body and enhancing one’s immune system. As stated, pumpkin seeds can be eaten alone or sprinkled over smoothies or salads. Regardless of how one consumes them, pumpkin seeds are a great way to increase hemoglobin levels.

Onions
The ultimate tastemakers, onions, can also help increase hemoglobin levels and the number of red blood cells in the body. Onions are loaded with flavonoid antioxidants that can protect existing cells and stimulate the production of new ones, resulting in numerous health benefits. Antioxidants, in general, protect the body against RBC lipid peroxidation, increase levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), and reduce levels of reactive oxygen species, all of which directly or indirectly boost the red blood cell count in the body.

In other terms, onions are hugely beneficial for one’s heart health in many ways. For instance, onions boost blood circulation by increasing the width of veins and arteries to smoothen and speed up the process of blood flow.

Watermelon
Like pumpkin seeds, watermelon is also an unconventional choice for RBC-boosting foods. Many studies and live examples have found watermelon’s potency in increasing hemoglobin levels in one’s blood.

Watermelons are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidative element that reduces the possibility of inflammation and makes iron absorption faster and more efficient in the body. Moreover, watermelon itself is a good source of iron. So, whether one prefers it diced, frozen, juiced, or blended in a smoothie, watermelon retains its incredible ability to raise the red blood cell count in the body.

Spinach
Leafy green vegetables are often included in lists of the best foods because they are packed with nutrients and health benefits. This is especially true when it comes to foods that increase red blood cell count. Spinach, in particular, is a highly efficient vegetable to keep an individual’s hemoglobin levels constantly high. It is rich in vitamin B9 (folic acids), which boosts cardiovascular health in individuals in multiple ways. Some other foods rich in vitamin B are enriched bread and cereals, liver, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts.

Avocados
These are fruits rich in unsaturated fats, the elements that are considered among the most important ones for one’s cardiovascular health. Avocados, like spinach, are loaded to the brim with vitamin B9, also known as folates, a nutrient scientifically proven to boost an individual’s RBC count. Vitamin B9 helps duplicate a person’s DNA at a rapid rate to increase the red blood content in their body. Moreover, a deficiency in folates and folic acid leads to health issues such as low RBC count and anemia.

Milk and cheese
Dairy products are not too far behind from a red blood cell count-boosting perspective either. Foods like milk, cheese, and butter are rich in vitamin B12, which facilitates the rapid production of red blood cells inside one’s body. Apart from milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, and other dairy products, some other foods rich in vitamin B12 are meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and fortified items like cereals and nutritional yeasts.

Apart from these foods, some of the other names that increase one’s red blood cell count are asparagus, tuna, salmon, mackerel, walnuts, and hazelnuts.

A well-balanced meal plan with a variety of foods is essential to support red blood cell production. After receiving the results of an RBC blood test, the healthcare provider may suggest specific meal recommendations, supplements, or other interventions to help improve one’s RBC count.

Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected jointsâ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause poppingÂ sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase oneâs risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

Warning signs of poor eye health due to high sugar levels

This may not be widely known, but diabetes can also affect eye health when the blood sugar levels are very high in the body. The condition typically has many signs and symptoms that point toward deteriorating eye health; for example, high sugar levels can change the fluid levels in the eyes, cause swelling, or even damage tiny blood vessels. So, letâs look at some of the signs of poor eye health due to high sugar. Blurry vision If you are suddenly experiencing blurry vision, this may be likely due to the high sugar level in the blood. Blurry vision is usually a temporary problem and can be resolved by getting the glucose back to normal. The normal blood sugar should be between 70-130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL post meals. Once these numbers are under control, you can notice your blurry vision improving. It is said that it usually takes around 3 months of constant care and observation to fix the problem, so be consistent in your efforts, and you will see the results. Of course, always speak to your doctor to rule out any other causes for the blurry vision and ensure you are taking the right treatment. Cataract The eye has a natural internal lens that helps it focus and register the images it sees. If this lens starts to get foggy or cloudy, it usually means that a layer is formed to clog the vision. This blurry layer is called the cataract. While cataracts can develop at any age and to anyone, those with diabetes are at higher risk of developing this complication. Because the internal lens is blurry, it becomes difficult to see properly, and one can also experience a glare. The way to treat cataracts is to get surgery wherein this clouded lens is replaced by a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens. It becomes a permanent part of the eye. While this is not a complicated procedure, there are some people who cannot get this done due to other eye issues. Speaking to the doctor and getting clarity on the operations risks and side effects is necessary. Glaucoma This is referred to a group of eye illnesses that happen due to the damage caused to the optic nerve. Due to high sugar levels, the fluids in the eye cannot drain as they should; this creates swelling and pressure in the eye. Often this pressure leads to damage to nerves and blood vessels in the eye that causes blurry vision. It is difficult to catch this symptom at an early stage unless you get regular eye checkups done; otherwise, it is usually detected once blurry vision is experienced. However, some treatment methods help in managing this condition. The doctors can help lower the pressure in the eye by helping speed up the fluid drainage causing the swelling. Some other symptoms experienced in other forms of glaucoma include frequent headaches, eye aches or pain, watery eyes, vision loss, or experiencing halos around lights. Another form of glaucoma to know of is neovascular glaucoma, common in those with diabetes. In this type of glaucoma, new blood vessels are formed on the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, and it can raise eye pressure. For early intervention, it is advised that you get an eye checkup done annually to be sure there are no complications. Diabetic retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy causes damage to the small blood vessels in the retina due to high blood sugar. The chances of developing this disease increase the longer you have diabetes; however, if you keep your blood sugar levels in check consistently, then it is possible to lower the chance of this illness. If neglected, diabetic retinopathy can even lead to vision loss. There are three other types of retinopathy that you should be careful of, and this includes the following: Background retinopathy This condition occurs when the blood vessels are damaged, but there is no complete vision loss. However, it can get worse if the blood sugar remains ill-managed. Maculopathy Macula is the region behind the retina that helps in activities like reading, driving, and similar activities which require clear vision. When the swelling affects this region, it is called maculopathy and can be treated depending on how mild or severe the condition is. Proliferative retinopathy This condition occurs when the cells at the back of the eyes do not get enough oxygen, and there is new blood vessel growth in the area. This can cause clots, bleeding, and even scars, leading to vision loss.