Super Foods To Increase Your Blood Platelets
Foods rich in folate, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, D, K and iron are known to increase the platelet counts.
Platelets form a very crucial part of the human blood.
They are mainly responsible for tissue repair, blood clotting and wound healing purposes.
These cells are not visible to the naked eye and can be seen only under microscopes.
The platelet cells appear to be in the form of small plates in their non-active form.
In case of any injury, these platelets bind to the site of the damaged vessel and form a clot at the site of injury to stop further bleeding.
Hence it is very important to maintain a normal platelet count.
It is very important to keep a track of the platelet counts because low platelets can often lead to easy bruising, frequent bleeding of gums, nose and GI tract, whereas too many platelets can lead to blood clotting which is often linked to cardiovascular risk.
A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood.
Having more than 450,000 platelets leads to a condition known as thrombocytosis
However, having less than 150,000 platelets leads to a condition known as thrombocytopenia.
Where you have thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis, you can find out by doing a simple blood test such as Complete Blood Count
What can cause thrombocytosis?
Abnormal bone marrow cells cause an increase in the blood platelets. This is known as Primary thrombocytosis
Also, diseases such as anaemia, cancer, infections can lead to a higher platelet count.
When Should You See A Doctor
Signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia may include:
- Prolonged bleeding from a cut or wound
- Red dots on the skin that do not blanch with pressure or large areas that similarly don’t blanch
- Bleeding from the gums when brushing teeth
- Heavy menstrual periods
If these symptoms persist, seek medical help right away.
What Is The Outlook For Someone With Thrombocytosis
Reactive thrombocytosis gets better when the underlying problem resolves. Although your platelet count is elevated for a short time , secondary thrombocytosis doesnt typically lead to abnormal blood clotting.
Essential thrombocythemia , or primary thrombocytosis, can cause serious bleeding or clotting complications. Taking medicine that keeps your platelet levels normal can help prevent this. After many years of having the disease, however, bone marrow fibrosis can develop. A small percentage of people with essential thrombocythemia develop leukemia.
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How To Add Black
People can incorporate black-eyed peas into their diet easily. Here are some ideas:
- Hummus: Add mashed cooked black-eyed peas to homemade hummus. People can blend them alongside chickpeas, or use them instead of chickpeas as the main ingredient.
- Burritos: People can add black-eyed peas to burritos and wraps by taking mashed warm beans and spreading them on, adding other fillings on top. A wrap with eggs and vegetables would make a healthy breakfast that is high in protein.
- Salads: Black-eyed peas can add flavor and texture to salads. Add them to a salad with a dressing such as olive oil, mustard, vinegar, fresh lemon juice, or garlic.
- Burgers: People can swap out the meat in burgers for smashed black-eyed peas, or mix meat with black-eyed peas to cut down on saturated fat. People can also add them to bean Sloppy Joes placed on a burger bun, to vegetarian chili, or tacos.
- Curries and stews: Pairing black-eyed peas with warm spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, or cumin, and sautéed aromatics such as onions, garlic, or ginger can make a good base for a curry or stew.
- Pilaf: Black-eyed peas are a staple in numerous traditional African American dishes, including Hoppin John, which is a rice pilaf containing black-eyed peas and smoked and salted pork.
- Vegetable soup: A hearty soup can be a filling meal, especially with some croutons or bread on the side. Adding a can of crushed or whole black-eyed peas can be an easy way to make soups go further.
Carrots For Platelet Count
Yet another one of the amazing foods to increase platelets in the blood is by consuming carrots. Given the fact that carrots and even beetroots are loaded with iron and essential nutrients , it is often an amazing treatment for patients suffering from anemia which is often a common reason behind the lowered platelet count in the body.
Eating carrots help in supplementing the needs and in turn, helps regulate the platelet count in the body.
What to do?
- Munch and snack on a bowl of carrot instead of something unhealthy
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What Is Abnormal Platelet Function
Abnormal platelet function is a very rare bleeding disorder that results from a blood abnormality. Remember when we said that a few other substances, including protein help platelets form blood clots? Well according to the National Institute of Health, in thrombasthenia, your platelets are producing defective or low levels of the receptors for the protein fibrin, a key player in the blood clotting process. As a result, you bleed for longer than you would with normal functioning platelets. As Wikipedia says, some people with thrombasthenia only suffer mild bruising, while others can have serious, life-threatening hemorrhages.
Why Do Platetets Drop In Dengue
When someone has dengue fever, the virus enters their circulation, attaches to the platelets, and replicates, causing the dengue virus to multiply.
These infected platelet cells choose to kill normal platelets, which is one of the primary reasons for the platelet count reduction in dengue fever.
Thrombocytopenia is an important characteristic during DENV infection, being observed both in mild and severe dengue, although the lowest platelet counts are encountered during severe cases, says research.
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Fresh Milk For Platelet Count
Milk is the one source that contains all the major components that are necessary for the healthy production of the platelets in our body.
It is loaded with calcium, iron, folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin K too which helps in supplementing the needs of the body to produce healthy platelets in the body.
What to do?
- Consume a glass of milk in the morning or a glass of warm milk with turmeric before going to bed at night
How To Tell If Your Count Is Too Low
The symptoms of a low Platelet count only occur when levels are particularly low. Mildly low levels often do not produce any symptoms. The symptoms include:
- Dark, red spots on the skin
- Headaches after minor injuries
- Spontaneous or excessive bleeding
- Bleeding from the mouth or nose after brushing teeth
People who experience symptoms should contact their doctor immediately. Low Platelet count can cause severe complications without treatment.
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Food To Increase Platelet Count
We are all aware that milk is a good source of calcium and protein and that it helps keep our bones and muscles strong. Whats even more interesting is that milk contains vitamin K, which is crucial for our bodys blood clotting system. Furthermore, it is believed that routine milk drinking may help to increase total blood platelet counts. So, if youre looking for natural methods for increasing platelets, make sure to consume milk frequently.
Papaya Leaf Extract
Probably the most well-known treatment for low platelet counts is papaya leaf extract. Regularly consuming a glass or two of papaya leaf extract can help you raise your platelet count if you have dengue fever. Acetogenin, a special phytochemical found only in papaya leaves, has been proven to raise platelet counts which ensures a quick recovery. Papaya leaves also contain a number of natural organic substances, including flavonoids and carotenes, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Pomegranate
These red seeds are not only tasty, but they are also rich in iron, which can help increase the platelet count. Pomegranate seeds have anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant effects. It has been linked in several studies to an increase in blood platelet count. Doctors even prescribe it when a patient has a low platelet count.
To get the boost, try eating a bowl of pomegranate fruit every day. Which can help strengthen immunity and effectively fight many illnesses.
Wheatgrass
Pumpkin
Signs And Symptoms Of Low Blood Cell Counts
Red Blood Cells
The most common symptom of a low red blood cell count is fatigue . A lack of hemoglobin in the blood causes fatigue. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells. It helps carry oxygen to the body.
A low red blood cell count also can cause shortness of breath dizziness, especially when standing up headaches coldness in your hands or feet pale skin and chest pain.
If you don’t have enough hemoglobin-carrying red blood cells, your heart has to work harder to move the reduced amount of oxygen in your blood. This can lead to arrhythmias , a heart murmur, an enlarged heart, or even heart failure.
White Blood Cells
White blood cells help fight infections. Signs and symptoms of a low white blood cell count include fevers, frequent infections that can be severe, and flu-like illnesses that linger.
Platelets
Platelets stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. People who have low platelet counts tend to bruise and bleed easily, and the bleeding may be hard to stop.
Common types of bleeding associated with a low platelet count include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, pinpoint red spots on the skin, and blood in the stool. Women also may have heavy menstrual bleeding.
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What Are Platelets Used For
Platelets control bleeding in our bodies, so they can be essential to surviving surgeries such as organ transplant, as well as fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Donor Platelets are given to patients who dont have enough of their own, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, or when a persons Platelets arent working correctly. Raising the patients blood Platelet count reduces the risk of dangerous or even fatal bleeding.
Summing Up On Food To Increase Platelet Count
There are certain foods and supplements that people with low platelet counts can take to improve their condition. You may also want to avoid foods that lower platelets, such as aspartame and alcohol.
It is always wise to consult your doctor before changing your diet, as this may not be enough to restore your platelet counts.
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Causes Of High Platelet Counts
Some can cause a higher than normal platelet count. A doctor may order a retest a few days or weeks later if this happens. Some common reasons for high platelet levels include:
- recovering from a recent injury
- recovering from blood loss after surgery
chronic medical conditions may be responsible. These may include:
- Cancer: Lung, stomach, breast, and ovarian cancers, as well as lymphoma, can cause high platelet counts. Additional blood testing, imaging scans, or a biopsy can test for cancer.
- Anemia: People with iron deficiency or hemolytic anemia may have high platelets. Further blood testing can detect most forms of anemia.
- Inflammatory disorders: Diseases that cause an inflammatory immune response, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease , can increase platelet count. A person will have other symptoms in most cases.
- Infections: Some infections, such as tuberculosis, can cause high platelets.
- Splenectomy: Removal of the spleen can cause a temporary increase in platelets.
May Help To Lower Cholesterol
There is that regularly eating legumes can help lower low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol. Lowering high cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Additionally, a found that a diet generally high in fiber may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
People can eat black-eyed peas as part of a Mediterranean diet, which
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What Is The Treatment To Increase Platelet Count
If your platelet level becomes too low, your doctor can replace lost blood with transfusions of packed red blood cells or platelets. Medications. If your condition is related to an immune system problem, your doctor might prescribe drugs to boost your platelet count. The first-choice drug might be a corticosteroid.
What Causes A Low Platelet Count
Platelets are the blood cells that help your blood to clot. When your Platelet count is low, you may notice symptoms, including fatigue, easy bruising, and bleeding gums. A low Platelet count is also referred to as thrombocytopenia.
Certain infections, leukaemia, cancer treatments, Alcohol abuse, cirrhosis of the liver, enlargement of the spleen, sepsis, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications can all cause thrombocytopenia.
If a Blood Test shows that your Platelet count is low, its important to work with your healthcare practitioner to figure out whats causing it.
If you have mild thrombocytopenia, you may be able to raise your Platelet count through diet and supplements. However, if you have a severely low Platelet count, youll likely need medical treatment to avoid any complications.
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Papaya And Papaya Leaf Extract
If you have a low blood Platelet count, there cannot be a better natural remedy than consuming papaya which is probably the most well-known food to increase Platelet count. If you are looking for how to increase Platelet count during dengue fever, then consuming a glass or two of papaya leaf extract regularly can do the trick. It is not clear how this really works, but clinical trials have clearly demonstrated a significant benefit of papaya leaf extract in increasing Platelet counts in viral fever.
However, the juice of papaya leaf can be rather bitter and some people experience Nausea and possibly even Vomiting at times. In such a situation, oral medication in the form of capsules is now available in India that contains the same quantity of extract needed to boost up Platelet counts.
What Is Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is a blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets .
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. They also carry carbon dioxide to your lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells help your body fight infections. Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding.
It’s normal for blood cells to die. The lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. White blood cells live less than a day. Platelets live about 6 days. As a result, your bone marrow must constantly make new blood cells.
If your bone marrow can’t make enough new blood cells, many health problems can occur. These problems include irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias , an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections, and bleeding. Severe aplastic anemia can even cause death.
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Bovine Colostrum For Platelet Count
While we did mention milk in the prior section, the Bovine Colostrum is a special variant of the cows milk. It is the special milk that is collected from the cows that they produce for a few days following birthing. Colostrum is the milk that the newborn gets from their mother, it is found in human as well.
But, when it comes to foods to increase platelets, the bovine colostrums is actually topping the list. While the research surrounding this is quite limited and not that profound, the Platelet Disorder Support Dissociation found sudden growth in the levels of the platelet count following the consumption of that.
Even a study conducted back in 2017, it was found that the colostrum did contain certain proteins which have been associated with platelet activation along with immune responses too.
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Platelets
Platelets are measured in a complete blood count. This common blood test also provides red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and blood indices, which measure red blood cells and platelets’ size, shape, and quality.
A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Ordinarily, there are few symptoms before a platelet count drops to 50,000 microliters or less, and the risk of severe bleeding is uncommon if the count is above 10,000 microliters.
A low platelet count is most commonly found during a routine blood test. Other symptoms may include:
- Small red dots on the skin that do not blanch with pressure and larger patches
- Prolonged bleeding, even from a small cut
- Abnormally heavy menstrual periods
- Bleeding gums when brushing teeth
- Rectal or urinary bleeding
- Headaches or other symptoms that may occur due to internal bleeding in various regions of the body
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Food Items That Increase Platelet Count
If you want to know how to increase platelet count naturally, you must incorporate certain food items in your daily diet: