How to Increase Red Blood Cell Count?

Your RBCs are like small body delivery vans. Their primary function is to transport oxygen from your lungs to every part of your body, thus ensuring that cells get the right amount of oxygen they need for their activities. 

Without sufficient red blood cells, you may feel worn out or feeble, as your cells won't be able to take in enough oxygen for normal functioning. Thus, taking care of one’s RBCs is extremely vital!

Oxygen is essential for the human body's overall functioning. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to the tissues and organs. Thus, RBC count is essential to analyse the number of red blood cells in your blood and overall health.

• Oxygen Transport: RBCs deliver oxygen from the lungs to body tissues, which is essential for cellular function. Low counts may cause tiredness and weakness.
• Carbon Dioxide Removal: They act as carbon dioxide eliminators, maintaining the body's pH balance. In most cases, increased counts might imply respiratory or kidney problems.
• Diagnostic Indicator: It shows that the number of red blood cells is abnormal within a diagnosis, such as polycythemia or anaemia, and other diagnostic tests would be needed.
• Monitoring Treatment: A change in RBC count can tell you if your treatment for any blood disorders is working. If not, adjustments can be made as necessary.

Unusual tiredness, lack of appetite, weakness, headache and lightheadedness are the most common signs and symptoms of anaemia. The following are some usual warnings that a person may have low red blood cell count:

• Feeling unusually tired even after resting.

• Having difficulty breathing, particularly during exercise.

• Heart palpitations or feeling like your heart is racing.

• Skin appears unusually pale or even yellowish.

• Feeling dizzy or faint, especially when standing up quickly. 

• Persistent sensation of cold in extremities such as hands and feet.

• Frequent headaches are sometimes accompanied by dizziness.

• Brittle nails that are easily breakable, thin and weak.

• Discomfort in the chest, often during exertion, is referred to as chest pain.

• Getting overly distracted and experiencing mental fog.

Anaemia is a condition defined by a low count of red blood cells (RBCs) and can be caused by various underlying conditions.

• Nutrient deficiencies like iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

• Long-term illnesses like kidney or autoimmune diseases.

• Bone marrow problems such as aplastic anaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes.

• Blood loss due to trauma, surgery and gastrointestinal bleeding.

• Hemolysis is when RBCs are destroyed before the expected time. This mainly occurs due to specific medications or auto-immune ailments.

• Chronic inflammation may disrupt the development of RBCs or their life spans.

• Inherited conditions include thalassemia and sickle cell disease, among others.

• Some drugs, like chemotherapy agents and certain antibiotics, depress bone marrow function.

• Pregnancy may lead to dilutional anaemia resulting from an increase in blood volume.

• Chronic infections, for instance, HIV/ AIDS and tuberculosis, can impair RBC production.

Anaemia must be addressed correctly to treat low red blood cell counts.  Here are some ways of increasing the RBC count:

• Iron-rich Diets: Eat meat, birds, fish, beans, lentils and fortified cereals.
• Supplying Vitamin B12 and Folate: Incorporating eggs, milk products, leafy greens and fortified grains in the diet.
• Supplements: Patients can take iron or vitamin B12 and folate as a doctor recommends.
• Deal with Underlying Conditions: Effectively managing chronic illnesses like kidney disease or autoimmune disorders.
• Blood Transfusion: In severe cases of anaemia, sometimes RBC transfusion is necessary.
• Erythropoietin Treatment: Erythropoietin injections under medical supervision may increase the production of RBCs.
• Bone Marrow Stimulation: Bone marrow production can be increased using drugs such as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).
• Quit Smoking: RBC production can decrease as a result of smoking; hence, quitting it will help to increase the count.
• Hydration: Drinking fluids maintains adequate blood volume, supporting RBC production.

The increased production of red blood cells (RBC) is a distinguishing merit of nutrition since these cells transport oxygen from the lungs to all body parts. It is essential to have sufficient nutrients so the body can develop them effectively to produce red blood cells. This is why nutrition is vital for increasing RBCs:

• Iron: Iron is an essential element in forming haemoglobin, which is found in RBCs. Foods such as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, and leafy green vegetables are good sources of iron.
• Vitamin B12: The formation of DNA required for RBC production in the bone marrow cannot occur without vitamin B12 deficiency. Meat, fish, dairy products and fortified cereals are rich sources of Vitamin B12.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): Folate participates in DNA synthesis, leading to a healthier RBC. Foods containing high folate levels include greens like spinach and kale, fruits like oranges and strawberries, peas, and grains.
• Vitamin C: This essential vitamin accelerates iron intake from plant-based foods. It converts poorly absorbed iron into forms easily assimilated by the body. 
• Copper: Copper is a mineral that is important for making haemoglobin. It helps remove iron from storage areas in the body and convert it into haemoglobin. Good sources of copper include nuts, seeds, whole grains, shellfish, and organ meats.
• Protein: Protein is needed to synthesise all bodily tissues, including RBCs. Enough protein is consumed to provide the amino acids required in RBC production. Some good sources are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy.

Suppose you have constant symptoms like fatigue, weakness, dizziness, breathing difficulties, rapid or abnormal heartbeats, yellowing or pale skin, unexplained bleeding, severe headaches, chest pains, trouble focusing, or loss of memory. In that case, it is advisable to consult a doctor about a low red blood cell (RBC) count. 

Any worrying or odd symptoms should prompt seeking medical attention if self-care measures fail. By conducting thorough evaluations such as blood tests and medical history assessments, doctors can identify what causes low RBC counts and implement appropriate treatment strategies to address the issue effectively. 

Early detection and management of low RBC counts can help prevent complications and improve overall health outcomes.

Maintaining a healthy red blood cell count is crucial for overall health. Here are a few lifestyle changes to incorporate in your life to support optimal red blood cell functions.

• Healthy Diet: Eat foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate, for example, lean meats, green vegetables, eggs, fortified cereals and beans.
• Regular Exercise: Participate in moderate aerobic activities such as walking, jogging or cycling to help increase bone marrow activity and improve blood flow.
• Stop Smoking: If you smoke, try quitting because it impairs the production of RBCs and decreases oxygen levels in the blood.
• Limit Alcohol Intake: High alcohol intake can disrupt the production of RBCs, therefore limiting their consumption for healthy red blood cell formation.
• Manage Stress: Use stress management techniques like meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises that indirectly aid in producing RBCs.
• Adequate Sleep: Ensure sufficient sleep at night to support normal physiological functions, including RBC production and growth.
• Avoiding Toxin Exposure: Minimise environmental toxins and pollutants that could harm RBC production and general health status.
• Medical Check-ups: Regularly check your general health through routine check-ups and blood tests to detect any abnormality in your RBC count early. 

If you are experiencing anaemia symptoms or related disorders, you must increase your red blood cell (RBC) count. Eating particular foods and taking additional nutrition products can help the body produce normal RBCs. Also, supplements taken responsibly with medical oversight may help address deficiency-induced barriers to RBC genesis.