Hemoglobin is the most famous of the human proteins, about which people have heard not only of the medical specialty. Not the last reason for this is the name of the first decoding point of the general blood test, which almost everyone gave.
However, the vast majority of people do not know what the effects of long-term low hemoglobin levels can cause. Common symptoms include the following:
- general chronic fatigue;
- reduced concentration;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract;
- reduced immunity;
- anemia;
- risk of developing cardiomyopathy.
With a low level of hemoglobin can and should be fought, and the most effective way to fight - changing the diet. But how can hemoglobin be increased in food? We will discuss this further.
Products that increase hemoglobin
Medical standards for hemoglobin in adults: for men - 130-160 grams per liter, for women - 120-140 grams per liter.
Low hemoglobin levels are directly related to the lack of iron in the human body. An adult man needs 11-12 mg of iron per day, and a woman needs 18-20 mg.
Doctors recommend compensating for iron deficiency with various drugs, but without corresponding changes in the diet, the result will be inconsistent, or the person will develop a dependence on drugs.
What foods increase blood hemoglobin in adults:
- Among vegetables, the most rich iron products are beets, potatoes and carrots. In specific content, they significantly lose even to fruits, so it is recommended to use them in the form of a salad of steamed vegetables, and best of all in the form of freshly squeezed diluted juice;
- buckwheat, oatmeal or wheat cereal may be the main side dish for people with low hemoglobin levels. It should be remembered that during the heat treatment 25-30 percent of the natural iron contained in the food is lost, so keeping the porridge on fire for longer than is not required;
- "Iron" champions among the berries are blueberries and wild rose. Blueberries are very good as a dessert in any meal, but rosehip berries are best taken as a decoction (20 grams of berries per 250 ml of water boil for 10 minutes, insist 12 hours and drain). This broth can be given even to babies;
- fruits are incomparably richer in iron than vegetables. At the same time, the highest content of this metal in dried fruits is prunes, raisins, dried apricots. For example, dried apples are richer in iron than fresh ones, six times! Among the usual unprocessed fruits, it is best to eat peaches, but citrus fruits (lemons, oranges) are practically useless as a source of iron;
- with animal products everything is somewhat more complicated. Animal by-products (beef liver, kidneys, heart) carry the largest amount of iron, but when they are prepared, the above problem again arises (loss of some nutrients during heat treatment). On this basis, one should fry (cook) offal until it is fully cooked. It is desirable that before eating a minimal amount of blood in the original product (example - "steak with blood"). But it is dangerous to overdo it - it is easy to poison yourself with a half-damp dish. Next in iron content is egg yolk, then fresh meat. At the bottom of the list are semi-finished products (sausages, sausage, meatballs and others). Not greatly exaggerating, we can say that dairy products do not contain iron at all.
Products that increase hemoglobin in pregnant women and children
Pregnant women and children are at risk for low hemoglobin levels.
A woman’s body during pregnancy must provide not only itself, but also the fetus with oxygen, which leads to a decrease in hemoglobin level to 110 g / l or even less. This condition is called iron deficiency anemia of the mother and is observed to varying degrees in half of pregnant women.
Solving the problem of iron deficiency by taking medications is not recommended for pregnant women. Firstly, not all medicines are safe for the child, and, secondly, not one of them can be used for a long time.
The easiest way to balance nutrition. Inclusion in the diet of various types of meat in combination with vegetable side dishes will help bring a woman out of the state of light iron deficiency anemia (100-110 g / l).
In addition, daily consumption of nuts and dried fruits, as well as pomegranate juice, will help to raise the level of hemoglobin to the minimum acceptable level.
Pregnant women will be very useful to receive iron-rich "shock vitamin mixture." It is prepared as follows: figs, raisins, dates, nuts, dried apricots are taken in equal proportions and minced as much as possible (in a meat grinder).
A pound of the resulting mass is mixed with two tablespoons of honey and the juice of one lemon. The mixture is taken in one tablespoon in the morning and evening.
Iron-deficient children under three are also highly susceptible. The causes of iron deficiency anemia are most often associated with any illness of the child or mother.
With a safe fall in hemoglobin level in an infant, the easiest way to increase it is to correct the mother's diet. Inclusion in the diet of iron-containing foods is likely to solve the problem in the shortest possible time.
Older children need food consisting of meat dishes and fresh vegetables. The latter help the process of iron absorption in the intestines, significantly increasing the effect.
After consultation with the pediatrician, ascorbic acid can be administered (for the same purpose).
It should be added that with a significant decrease in the hemoglobin level in the child’s blood (below 90 g / l for children over one year old) associated with any disease, an attempt to increase the hemoglobin level only by changing the diet can be harmful and even dangerous to health. In such a situation it is better not to take risks and consult a doctor.
If you need to act quickly
Below are products that are characterized by either an extremely high level of iron or a very fast absorption of this element.
So, what products can quickly increase hemoglobin:
- Halva (tahini halva). The record holder for iron content among all food products (2 times higher than in pork liver, and 5 times higher than in wild rose).
- Pistachios. Only slightly inferior to halvah, but besides increasing hemoglobin, they also lower cholesterol.
- Red meat. Characterized by a very large percentage of iron absorption.
- Black caviar. Hemoglobin level rises faster than all other products. True, this statement is true only in the case of the use of caviar in its pure form.
- Garnet. It has a very mild effect on the body. To increase hemoglobin, it is much better to eat a grenade entirely (if desired, even with partitions).
Cautions
With an increase in hemoglobin level, the main thing is not to overdo it. In some respects, getting high hemoglobin is much worse than having low (with elevated hemoglobin, the blood thickens and there is a risk of blood clots).
If the hemoglobin level rises in any way, the following products should be excluded from use:
- milk and dairy products;
- Tea coffee;
- sweet soda.
If this is not done, the iron will either not be absorbed or will be flushed out of the body.
With acute symptoms of iron deficiency do not need to engage in self-medication.
For more information on products that can increase hemoglobin, see the following video.
