What is Hemoglobin?
It’s an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. Oxygen is carried to the lungs with the blood and oxygen is then carried to the tissues of the body. When we are in a shortage of red blood cells then it is known as Anemia.
Each hemoglobin protein is carrying four molecules of oxygen which are delivered throughout the body by red blood cells. As oxygen is necessary to repair and maintain every cell of the body, hemoglobin plays an important role in keeping red blood cells moving. The disk shape of red blood cells helps them to move easily through the blood vessels.
As we all know that blood is the base of our health and life. Without blood we cannot imagine our life, hemoglobin is the protein present in our RBC (red blood cell). It is measured by 13.5 gm/deciliter in men and 12 gm/deciliter in women.
Causes of High hemoglobin levels:
The high hemoglobin levels are the cause of a disease called Polycythemia. Due to this, red blood cells are in abundance in blood, causing blood to become thicker. This is the reason for the clotting of blood in blood vessels; further causing heart attacks and strokes, this disease could be a fatal one if not treated within time as it blocks the blood vessels.
Causes of low hemoglobin level:
Anemia (iron deficiency): There are several type of anemia, as the following :
1. Vitamin deficiency anemia :
This anemia is caused when there are low levels of nutrients like folic acid or VitaminB12 in diet, due to this they change the shape of red blood cells which makes them less effective.
2. Iron deficiency anemia:
If a person is not having a sufficient quantity of iron in his/her body, due to this deficiency body can’t make enough hemoglobin it needs. In some cases, anemia is caused by blood loss and poor absorption of iron.
3. When the red blood cells are broken in the spleen or bloodstream, hemolytic anemia can be caused, due to low hemoglobin.
4. Pregnancy:
This is also one of the causes of anemia. It is caused due to iron deficiency, as childbirth requires a significant amount of iron.
5. When the blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow are attacked by the immune system, due to which fewer red blood cells remain in the blood, Aplastic anemia is inevitable.
6. Sickel cell anemia:
When the red blood cells are in the sickle shape. Due to their sickle shape, they are not flowing freely through small and narrow blood vessels.
7. Anemia can be caused by Cancer or Kidney disease, which affects The body`s ability to make sufficient red blood cells.
8. Newborn babies
Newborn babies of 6 to 8 weeks of age have anemia, as they are not able to make new red blood cells and the blood cells they are born with are not sufficient, but this condition does not affect babies adversely until and unless they are not suffering from any other disease. Newborns can have anemia from breaking down cells too quickly. This condition arises when they have anemia. Their skin tends to be yellowish in color. This disease is known as jaundice.
How should we know that hemoglobin is low?
Symptoms:
1. Weakness:
When a person feels weakness, getting tired very easily even with some very light kind of physical activity.
2. Heartbeat getting faster:
Heartbeat is irregular and getting fast due to the low level of hemoglobin.
3. Pain:
Feeling pain in the chest is also the sign of a low level of hemoglobin.
4. Dizziness:
The person feels dizziness and heavy head due to a low level of hemoglobin.
5. Feet and hands getting cold:
A person’s hands and feet feel cold despite the warm weather.
6. Pale skin:
The Skin is getting pale and yellow.
7. Headaches:
The Patient feels his head is heavy and he is not in a proper mood and frequently feels headaches due to low hemoglobin.
Risk factors:
1. People who are suffering from any kind of diseases:
Chronic health conditions like liver disease, thyroid disease, and inflammatory bowel disease may have lower hemoglobin level due to which they are prone to anemia.
2. Sportspersons and athletes:
People who are in sports and doing vigorous exercises are also at greater risk, as heavy exertion can lead to a breakdown of red blood cells in the bloodstream.
3. Pregnancy:
It’s also one of the causes of low hemoglobin, as women who are pregnant or menstruating are also suffering from anemia and low hemoglobin.
Why it’s necessary to increase hemoglobin?
As blood is the base of our health and balance of healthy blood in the body is the sign of our wellbeing and good health. For proper oxygen and having a healthy body we need a proper balance of hemoglobin in our circulatory system.
How to increase hemoglobin?
Foods that have abundance of foliate and iron can enhance the quantity of hemoglobin. As iron plays a very important role in hemoglobin production. A protein known as transferrin binds to the iron and transports it to the whole body. It helps your body to make red blood cells, which contains hemoglobin. Try to eat more foods that contain iron.
Foods which are high in iron are :
- Baked potatoes
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Beef
- Beetroot
- Liver and organ meats.
- Beans and lentils
- Shelfish
- Tofu
- Green beans
- kale
- Cabbage
- Fortified cereals and enriched bread
Floate is a vitamin B that your body uses to produce heme, the part of your red blood cells that contains hemoglobin. In the deficiency of floate, your red blood cell count reduces. It’s very necessary to have floate in your red blood cells, and floate deficiency can cause anemia and low hemoglobin levels.
Foods which helps you to add floate in your meals:
- Peanuts
- kidney beans
- avocado
- lettuce
- spinach
- rice
Supplements:
To increase hemoglobin level in your body you need to have iron supplements in your meals intake, but before taking these supplements you should consult your physician, as an abundance of these supplements can lead to a condition known as hemochromatosis. This can lead to disease of the liver such as cirrhosis and other side effects such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting. It’s recommended by physicians worldwide that men get up to 8mg of iron per day while women should get up to 18mg/day, in the case of pregnant women it should be around 27mg per day. When children are patients, iron supplements should be given only under the supervision of a physician.
Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD-Ayurvedic Medicine) is an Expert Ayurveda Consultant in Chandigarh (India). He has vast experience of herbs and their applied uses. He has successfully treated numerous patients suffering from various ailments, throughout the world. He is CEO and Founder of Krishna Herbal Company and Planet Ayurveda in Chandigarh, India. He researched age old formulas from ancient Ayurvedic text books to restore health and save human beings from the worst side-effects of chemical-based treatments.
