What Nutrients Are Needed for Red Blood Cell Production?
- Vitamins B6, B9 and B12. Several B vitamins help produce functional red blood cells. ...
- Iron and Copper. The minerals iron and copper are pivotal in making healthy red blood cells. ...
- Vitamin A. Vitamin A, or retinol, helps support red blood cell development. ...
- Foods for Red Blood Cell Production. ...
What vitamins are good for red blood cells?
Vitamin B-12. Like iron, vitamin B-12 is essential for the production of red blood cells. Most people in the U.S. get enough dietary vitamin B-12.
What foods are good for red blood cell production?
Foods for Red Blood Cell Production. Several foods contain one or more nutrients important to red blood cell production. Incorporate kale into your diet. The leafy greens contain vitamins A, B6 and B9, as well as copper and iron. Fortified cereals, such as bran cereal, contain vitamins B6, B9 and B12, and might also contain iron,...
Which of the following vitamins are involved in the production of hemoglobin?
Vitamin B12 is involved with the production of red blood cells. Some dietary sources are beef, chicken fish, diary, and eggs. Copper helps the body make hemoglobin. Dietary sources include leafy green vegetables, nuts, mushrooms. organ meats, and oysters. Vitamin A helps with production of red blood cells.
How does nutrition affect red blood cell production?
Proper nutrition helps ensure your body can make the red blood cells it needs, with specific vitamins and minerals playing a role in red blood cell production. Several B vitamins help produce functional red blood cells.
Why is it important to have enough red blood cells?
As red blood cells are the vehicle that delivers oxygen to our cells, sufficient production of red blood cells is necessary for good health and essential for athletic peak performance.
Where does red blood cell production begin?
The production of red blood cells begins in our kideys where the hormone Erythropoeitin (EPO) is produced. Erythropoeitin initiates red blood cell production in our bone marrow. It is this hormone (EPO) that controls the rate of red blood cell production.
What is EPO like protein?
In developing this EPO like protein, these scientist were seeking to find a way to effect red blood cell production to people that were anemic (low blood cell count) due mostly to either (i) kidney disease or (ii) suppression of red blood cell production in the bone marrow caused by chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer.
Why do athletes use EPO?
Athletes began to use this EPO like protein to stimulate red blood cell production to improve athlete performance through increased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. Of course, as the main red blood cell function is to carry oxygen to cells throughout the body, the more red blood cells contained in the blood the greater will be the blood's ability to transport oxygen. Use of this EPO like protein 'Doping' has been banned by most organized athletic authorities and the use of this protein by athletes is illegal. There are also health considerations against the use of this EPO like protein: 1. An increase in red blood cell count about normal levels increases blood viscosity or blood 'thickness' which heighten the risk of thrombotic events (strokes). 2. Regular use of this EPO like protein by athletes could disrupt the body's natural ability to produce EPO.
What are the natural sources of iron?
Iron. Natural food sources of Iron include organic liver, chicken, beef, oysters, oatmeal, lentils, beans, and spincah. For a comprehensive list of animal and plant sources of Iron see Iron, Health and Peak Athletic Performance.
What is the building block of testosterone?
Testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone. Cholesteral is the key initial building block for the production of testosterone. Protein enzymes, the Vitamin B's and zinc are also essential to the production of testosterone.
What nutrients are needed for RBC production?
In addition to iron, vitamin B12 and folate, other nutrients also play roles in RBC production, including protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, copper, cobalt, selenium and zinc. Therefore, it's important to eat a well-balanced diet with a wide array of foods to optimally support red blood cell production.
What is the best way to increase red blood cell production?
Therefore, it's important to eat a well-balanced diet with a wide array of foods to optimally support red blood cell production. Based on the results of an RBC blood test, your healthcare provider might offer specific dietary recommendations, supplements or other interventions to optimize your RBC count.
What is the role of iron in the production of red blood cells?
Foods rich in iron, vitamin B12 and folate support red blood cell production. Red blood cells, or RBCs, transport oxygen taken in when you inhale to your organs and tissues. They also carry the metabolic byproduct carbon dioxide to the lungs, where the gas is expelled when you exhale.
What are some good sources of folate?
Good animal sources of folate largely mirror those for iron and vitamin B12, namely meats, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy products. Foods made from fortified grain flours also provide a significant amount of dietary folic acid, the man-made form of folate.
Why is bone marrow important?
This is particularly important if you have anemia or low RBCs, caused by one or more nutritional deficiencies.
What is the role of B12 in the body?
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, participates in many biochemical reactions throughout your body and plays a key role in the replication of bone marrow red blood cells — primarily in the duplication of the genetic material, or DNA, that must take place before these cells divide.
What foods have B12?
Animal-based foods naturally contain vitamin B12. In general, the same lean red meats, organ meats, seafood and poultry with high levels of iron are also rich in vitamin B12. Fish not already mentioned with high levels of B12 include herring, tuna, trout, bluefish and salmon. Advertisement. Foods made from fortified flours are high in vitamin B12.
What foods are good for anemia?
Foods that are rich in iron include, beans, beef, chicken, shrimp, peas, dried fruit, potatoes, spinach, whole grains and tomato juice. Adult women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 18 mg ...
What are some good foods to eat to help your body?
Other good sources include dark chocolate, red wine, beans, whole grains and fish. A well-balanced meal plan offers a good dose of antioxidants to support healthy cells in all parts of your body. Advertisement.
How do cells stay healthy?
Healthy cells require good nutrition. Your cells depend on adequate intakes of several nutrients to stay healthy. These nutrients come from a variety of foods in each food group. and the best way to be sure you are getting the daily recommendations for each is to eat a well-balanced diet. You may also want to include a supplement ...
What are the effects of antioxidants on the body?
Antioxidants are present in many foods, and they fight the free radical damage that occurs through exposure to environmental toxins and a poor diet, both of which damage cells and increase the risk of health problems that include cancer and heart disease.
What are some foods that contain protein?
Protein comes from animal products, including beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs and milk. Beans, peas, nuts, seeds and corn are plant products that contain protein.
What are the best foods to eat to prevent cancer?
Other good sources include dark chocolate, red wine, beans, whole grains and fish. A well-balanced meal plan offers a good dose of antioxidants to support healthy cells in all parts of your body.
What vitamins help with RBC?
Vitamin A (retinol) also supports RBC production in this manner. Foods rich in vitamin A include:
What hormone stimulates the production of RBCs?
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.
What to do if your RBC is low?
If you’re diagnosed with a low count, your doctor may recommend a combination of dietary changes, daily supplements, and medications to return it to normal.
What to do if you don't get enough RBC?
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.
How to lower RBC?
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.
Where do RBCs go?
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.
Does iron increase RBCs?
Eating an iron-rich diet can increase your body’s production of RBCs. Iron-rich foods include:
Maintaining optimal levels is important for your health
Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and expert in the field of brain health and neurological disorders. Dr. Moawad regularly writes and edits health and career content for medical books and publications.
Red Blood Cells and Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells are low in number, too small, too large, or not healthy.
Nutrients to Increase Your Red Blood Cell Count
Sometimes nutritional deficits are the cause of anemia. When this is the case, you may be able to restore a normal red blood cell count by consuming enough of the lacking nutrient.
Lifestyle Changes to Increase Your Red Blood Cell Count
There are also a few non-dietary lifestyle strategies you can use to increase your red blood cell count if it is low. These strategies will only be effective if you are also getting the nutrients your body needs to make enough healthy red blood cells.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if you experience any symptoms of anemia. Sometimes anemia is caused by medical problems that can become more serious and less treatable if they progress without treatment (like kidney disease or cancer).
Summary
Low red blood cells can be a problem in many different chronic diseases and acute medical conditions. It’s important for everyone to have habits that help maintain a normal red blood cell count. These include getting the nutrients your body needs for healthy red blood cell production, exercising regularly, and avoiding excess alcohol. 3
A Word From Verywell
A low red blood cell count is one of the signs of an underlying health problem. There are many causes and solutions. If you have a medical illness that’s causing you to have reduced number of red blood cells, you will need treatment.
What causes low red blood cell count?
A low red blood cell count, medically referred to as anemia, may leave you feeling tired, cold and irritable. While there may be a number of causes for a decrease in red blood cell production, an inadequate intake of certain nutrients may be one of them. Supplements that may help increase your count include iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Which factor is secreted by the stomach and is necessary for B-12 absorption?
Who don’t produce enough intrinsic factor, which is secreted by the stomach and is necessary for B-12 absorption
How much iron should a teen girl have?
Children need 7 to 10 milligrams of iron a day, teen girls need 15 milligrams and women of childbearing age need 18 milligrams.
Can you take iron supplements with orange juice?
To increase absorption, take your iron supplement with foods or drinks that are rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice.
Is folic acid a multivitamin?
Folic acid is present in multivitamins and available as a separate supplement. To improve absorption, take your folic acid supplement without food. Folate, the form of the blood-building nutrient present in foods, is found in a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
What is the source of red blood cells?
Red blood cells get their bright red color from hemoglobin, which contains the element iron. Iron is an essential blood builder, and necessary for oxygen transport. Natural sources of iron include eggs, chicken, red meats, organ meats, dark green leafy vegetables and beets.
Why is red blood important?
Red blood cells are used by the blood to transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. These cells die every 120 days, and new cells are made to replace them. Without this constant cycle of cellular birth and rebirth, our tissues, bones and organs would not get adequate oxygen and would begin to deteriorate. It is important to nourish the body and keep the blood healthy. The following vitamins are important to both build the blood and support the immune system.
How does vitamin C help the body?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, has a variety of uses in the body. It strengthens the immune system, assists in metabolism, helps wounds to heal and is utilized by the bones in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and therefore must be replenished often. Natural sources of vitamin C include most fruits and vegetables. Cooking depletes ascorbic acid levels in food. This is why it is so important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables each day (3-5 servings of each). The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 75-90 mg, although most adults can take up to 2 grams without adverse effects.
What is the best source of vitamin C?
Natural sources of vitamin C include most fruits and vegetables. Cooking depletes ascorbic acid levels in food. This is why it is so important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables each day (3-5 servings of each).
Why are B vitamins important?
Like vitamin C, they perform many functions throughout the body. They are used in metabolism, maintain the nervous system, used in the production of DNA and are necessary for the formation of red blood cells.
Why is it important to take vitamin supplements?
While taking vitamin and mineral supplements is important to combat deficiencies, caution should be used when taking them.
How much B12 is recommended daily?
The recommended daily intakes are: 1.1-1.3 mg of B1 and B2, 14-16 mg of B3, 5 mg of B5, 1.3-1.7 mg of B6, 400 mg of B9 and 2.4 - 2.6 mg of B12. The B vitamins work together synergistically. Like vitamin C, they perform many functions throughout the body.
Why are red blood cells so abundant?
This abundance is due to the primary function of red blood cells: to carry oxygen for cells undergoing cellular respiration to make energy. The human body has over 30 trillion cells, and almost all of them will need oxygen to continue cellular processes through the energy made in respiration. Therefore, your body needs a substantial amount of red blood cells to fulfill the needs of all of your other cells.
Which hormones increase red blood cell production?
Androgens. In addition to EPO, red blood cell production increases in the presence of androgens, or masculinizing hormones. Men tend to produce more red blood cells and overall blood volume than women, which is largely due to the actions of these hormones.
How do red blood cells form?
Erythropoietin is released by the kidneys in response to several conditions, including decreased blood flow to the kidneys, low atmospheric or blood oxygen levels, and low blood pressure ( hypotension ). When erythropoietin is released, it will migrate to the red bone marrow and bind to receptors that stimulate the maturation of red blood cells. Stem cells, which are cells that have not been differentiated into specified cell types, are converted into reticulocytes, which contain a nucleus. Upon maturation, the nucleus is ejected from the cell, and a mature red blood cell is formed. Figure 1 shows the lineage and development of red blood cells.
What happens when erythropoietin is released?
When erythropoietin is released, it will migrate to the red bone marrow and bind to receptors that stimulate the maturation of red blood cells. Stem cells, which are cells that have not been differentiated into specified cell types, are converted into reticulocytes, which contain a nucleus.
Why do macrophages engulf red blood cells?
Macrophages engulf red blood cells in order to begin the process of digestion. From this digestion, several pathways for recyclable components will occur: The hemoglobin in the cell will be separated, and the iron found in the heme group will be transferred to the liver and then the red bone marrow of long bones.
How many red blood cells are there in the human body?
The human body has over 30 trillion cells, and almost all of them will need oxygen to continue cellular processes through the energy made in respiration. Therefore, your body needs a substantial amount of red blood cells to fulfill the needs of all of your other cells.
What are the two main compartments of blood?
Blood can be divided into two basic compartments: plasma and the formed elements. Plasma is the liquid compartment and extracellular matrix of blood and is made of over 90% water. Plasma also contains dissolved solutes (i.e. salts), hormones, and dissolved gases. The formed elements, on the other hand, are the cells that are found in blood.
