subject: How to Boost Iron for Healthy Blood Cells [print this page] How to Boost Iron for Healthy Blood Cells
We can further break down plasma into three types ofcells: white blood cells, which fight infections; platelets, whichhelp your blood to clot; and red blood cells, which carry oxygento your brain, organs and tissues
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-richprotein that gives blood its red color. And it is hemoglobin thathelps red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts ofyour body and then collects carbon dioxide and returns it to yourlungs, where it is expelled.
Normally red blood cells are produced in your body. Butsometimes red blood cell levels drop. This is because your bodyis producing too few of them. When this happens, you can sufferfrom anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia happens when you guessed it youare deficient in the mineral iron. Without iron, you can't produceenough hemoglobin for your red blood cells. Vitamin deficiencyanemia occurs when you are deficient in folate and vitamin B-12. And hemolytic anemia develops when red blood cells aredestroyed faster than they can be replaced. Iron deficiency is themost common cause of anemia.
So, how do you boost iron levels? Is it best to take an ironsupplement, to make sure you aren't getting too low? Well, arecent clinical trial has found that fortified rice could boost ironlevels just as effectively as iron drops.
Researchers set out to improve iron status among infants andyoung children in Brazil, where iron deficiency is a significantproblem. They conducted a double-blind, five-monthrandomized trial in Brazil. One group of mildly anemic six- to24-month-old children was given rice fortified with iron, alongwith a placebo solution. A second group was given identicalnon-fortified rice and iron drops.
At the start of the study, the prevalence of iron deficiency andanemia in the total sample was at 73% and 100%, respectively.Five months later, iron and hemoglobin increased in bothgroups; however, the change in the first group was larger. Theresearchers concluded that fortified rice increased iron storesand reduced anemia in a group of anemic children. Theysuggested that, in populations where young children areroutinely fed cooked rice daily, fortifying it with iron mayimprove iron status at least as well as providing free iron drops
It might be a good idea to start including iron-fortified riceand/or cereals in your diet especially if you're a senior.Seniors are particularly at risk for iron deficiency anemia due todiet and chronic internal bleeding caused by ulcers and tumors.
You can also make sure you get enough iron in your diet byconsuming more of these foods: clams; oysters; organ meats;soybeans; pumpkin seeds; blackstrap molasses; lentils; spinach;beef; and sardines.
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