Haemoglobin level & Immune health!

Facts & Guidelines:

Poor haemoglobin level?

Poor immunity 👎

Poor recovery after infection👎

Table of content:

1. Role of erythrocytes in innate immune system.

2. Signs & Symptoms of low haemoglobin level.

3. Four top most effective ways to restore haemoglobin level naturally.

Role of erythrocytes in Innate Immune system –

Human erythrocytes have long been typecast as mere oxygen carriers and transporters. However, mounting evidence shows that these cells also play an important role in Innate Immune system. Our body rely on our Innate Immune system to protect us from infection during first critical hours and days of exposure to a new pathogen.

Immunity is one of the most crucial health asset. It must definitely be taken care of at its best and at earliest. Majority of health issues arise out of low Immunity. Research has shown that iron deficiency anaemia can affect immune system, which can increase vulnerability to infections. The red cell biology is undergoing a quite revolution. Finally, the presence of Anaemia shall be regarded as an important factor in future risk stratification models of covid 19. Low haemoglobin level can also make recovery time after infections dead slow.

RBCs are the blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and found in blood. These are the most numerous and simplest cells in the body. These cells contain a protein named haemoglobin, the paramount function of haemoglobin is to carry oxygen to different parts of the body, and also carrying carbon dioxide to lungs to be exhaled out. Thus, having low haemoglobin can make it difficult for the body to perform and function well.

Haemoglobin’s role in defensive mechanism of the human body is ignored and neglected, despite of the fact that RBCs act as a mechanical and biochemical barriers against infections , bacteria and blood parasites.

Erythrocytes bind and scavenge chemokines, nucleic acids and pathogens in circulation. Depending on the conditions of the microenvironment , Erythrocytes may either promote immune activation or maintain immune quiescence.

In viral infections, the host innate immune system is meant to act as a first line defense to prevent viral invasion or replication , meanwhile more specific protection by the adaptive immune is generated in the body.

Erythrocytes are invulnerable to viral infections as they lack nuclie and organelles in their mature form. During a viral infection, redirection of the same to erythrocytes help attenuate infection by leading virions to a dead end, leaving fewer infectious particles free to invade susceptible tissues.

Signs & Symptoms of low haemoglobin level in the body –

1. Shortness of breath

2. Pale or yellow skin

3. Headache

4. Dizziness or light headedness

5. Cold hands and feet

6. Irregular or fast heartbeat

7. Fatigue

8. Poor appetite

9.Brittle nails

10. Unusual cravings for non nutritive substances like starch, dirt etc.

Four effective ways to improve Haemoglobin level naturally.

A. Manage and reduce iron inhibitors –

Several dietary factors influence haemoglobin level in the body. One of them are the inhibitors that does not allow iron to get assimilated and absorbed properly. Such inhibitors are very much into our diet list only, you dont need to eradicate them from diet. Just a gap of an hour or so is needed to make it not at all problematic.

I) TANNINS- Tannins are found in tea and coffee. So it is good to avoid tea or coffee with meal or straight after meal.

II) CALCIUM- Calcium and iron compete for the same receptors, as a result calcium inhibits absorption of iron when taken together. Calcium rich products include milk and other dairy items, tofu, broccoli, almonds etc.

III) PHOSPHATES- Phosphorous containing food like seafoods, dairy ptoducts, nuts & seeds whole grain, organ meats etc can also make iron absorption way poorer.

IV) TETRACYCLINES & ANTACIDS- Certain drugs like tetracyclines and antacids are also found to inhibit iron absorption in the body.

B. Enhance Iron absorption and assimilation:

Just by having Iron rich food may not help at its best, so its better to accompany iron rich food with certain food items which can help our body assimilate Iron and make it available for the absorption . These food items are-

I) VIT C- Ascorbic acid is known to enhance Iron absorption. It captures non haeme iron and stores it in a form that is more easily assimilated by the body. Vit c is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, leafy green vegetables. Taking vitamin c supplements may also help.

II) BETA CAROTENE & VIT A- Rich sources of these vitamins like sweet potatoes, carrots mangoes, kale, liver, fish etc also help body absorb more iron .

C. Increase Iron intake :

Iron boosts haemoglobin production. Having food items rich in iron can work a lot for haemoglobin level enhancement. Rich sources of iron : Meat & Fish, Soy products, eggs, peanut butter, green leafy vegetables like spinach, green beans etc.

D. Increase folate intake :

Folate is a B Vitamin that your body uses to produce heme, the part of red blood cells that contains hemoglobin. Red blood cells cant mature if your body lacks folate. Rich sources of folate are- Spinach, beef, avocado, lettuce kidney beans, rice, peanuts etc.

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