The Magnificent 9
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Foods to Increase Blood Platelets Naturally
written by
Herbal Papaya
Brief Prelude
A
sk ten people what element makes our blood clot and chances are you will get a few
Vita i K’s. A d Cal iu . For most of us, the blood is one of those structural components of the human
a ato y that is esse tial fo ou su i al ut e do ’t eally u de sta d. It’s like g a ity; ital, ut e just assu e it. Without it, though, we would cease to be. Not just because life would be chaos with everything floating around. No, because there would be no at osphe e i pla e a d e e y li uid ould oil a ay i to spa e. Why exactly are we telling you this? Well, let’s say e ha e ee jui i g egeta les a lot lately, a d feel e e geti e ough to ta kle things blood. Seriously, though, healthy blood is central to our daily wellbeing, and we thought we would shed light on an important, but often understated, component of the human blood – platelets. It's time to let this baby shine!
Understanding the Role of Platelets Platelets (aka thrombocytes) are one of four constituents that make up our blood. The other three are red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and plasma, the liquid part of the blood where these cells are suspended. Platelets are the smallest of the lot, and a microscopic look at their non-active form will reveal sticky, colorless cells in the mold of small plates (this is where they get their name from). They play the very important role of helping our blood clot when we get a bruise or cut, coming togethe to fo
a plug . This helps i keepi g the leedi g at ay so e do ’t lose a lot of
blood. Just like the mortar between the bricks, their role is to hold everything together, nice and tight.
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The process through which platelets are dispatched to the site of bleeding is called adhesion. This is because they grow sticky tentacles when they get to the site of injury to help them stick, or adhere rather, during which they transform and assume the shape of a spider or an octopus. Well, sort of. Suffice to say the ability of your blood to clot can be a telltale sign of whether you are healthy or not.
What Happens if you have a Low or High Platelet Count? Indeed, platelets can diminish in number which could lead to a range of symptoms, including: Prolonged bleeding from cuts Bleeding from the nose or gums Easy or excessive bruising (Purpura) Blood in urine or stools Enlarged spleen Jaundice Fatigue Heavy menstrual bleeding that seems unusual Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Similarly, platelets can proliferate in number which might lead to blood clots being lodged in various parts of the body, most notably, the brain, hands, feet, or large and small body vessels. Symptoms of clots resulting from too many platelets can vary depending on where the clot is located. Generally, these include: Dizziness or lightheadedness Unexplained headaches Weakness Changes in vision 2
Numbness or tingling of the hands and feet Fainting Chest pain A slightly enlarged spleen which balloons from trapping platelets
Medical Conditions Associated with Low (and High) Platelet Count A normal or healthy platelet count ranges between 150,000 and 450,000 per microliter (µl) of blood. If this number swings to either extreme, it can result to certain medical conditions.
1. Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia is a condition that results when your platelet count drops below 150,000/µl. While a good number of thrombocytopenia cases are often acquired, this condition can also be inherited. Patients have difficulty stopping external bleeding and are likely to experience internal bleeding as well. As far as the symptoms go, it is important to note that a slightly low platelet count may not produce any: the symptoms become apparent when the levels of this tiny blood cell become noticeably low.
Causes of Low Platelet Count Causes of thrombocytopenia can be grouped into three categories: Diminished production – this is as a result of vitamin deficiencies, aplastic anemia, viral infections, malignant disease like lymphoma and chronic lymphatic leukemia, excessive alcohol consumption, or it could be induced by drugs. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has in particular singled out heparin, penicillin, cinchona alkaloid derivatives (quinine and quinidine), oral antidiabetic
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drugs, anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) antirheumatic, sulfonamides, as well as diuretics, gold salts, ranitidine and rifampicin. Heightened destruction – destruction of platelets could be caused by either pregnancy, drugs, idiopathic, heparin (HIT), or an abnormal immune system. Sequestration – causes could be traced to pregnancy, gestational, neonatal, and most notably, an enlarged spleen. Since we are here, we might as well mention that too many platelets in the blood (more than 450,000/µl of blood) is not healthy either. This is usually the sign of two types of medical conditions: 2. Thrombocythemia This is a condition that stems from the bone marrow manufacturing too many platelets. Too many in this case implies upwards of one million platelets per microliter of blood. While the cause of thrombocythemia is yet to be established, its symptoms can manifest in the form of blood clots that cut blood supply to the heart or brain. 3. Thrombocytosis This is another condition caused by an excess of platelets in the blood, albeit in this case, the u
e s do ’t get as high as i th o
o ythe ia.
This is the more prevalent of the two but unlike its counterpart, it is not associated with an abnormal bone marrow. Rather, it is triggered by another disease or condition in the body that evokes production of more platelets in the bone marrow. Causes of thrombocytosis include inflammation, infections, reaction to medicines and some types of cancer. Normally, these symptoms are not severe and normal platelet count resumes when the underlying condition is addressed.
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4. Platelet Dysfunction You might have a normal platelet count, but these platelets might not function normally. This is often caused by medicines like aspirin which have been known to inhibit normal platelet function in some individuals. It is important to know which drugs have an effect on platelet function and to recognize that taking them can increase your risk of bleeding.
How to Boost Low Platelet Count When it comes to increasing the number of platelets, the range of options available is wide. This will often vary from simple (for example, suspending a certain drug or getting enough sleep) to more serious measures (for example, surgery to remove the spleen). But why wait until things start going pear-shaped while there are measures you can take to nip the problem right in the bud, right? Practicing healthy living will ensure your platelet count is always at an optimum. Just as a healthy diet and exercise can help in just about any health ailment, so can you leverage them to boost your blood platelet count naturally. After all, natural methods are your best bet to improve your platelet count, and incorporating e tai foods i you diet ill al ays e su e you do ’t ha e to eso t to d astic measures. You see, diminished production of platelets, and to some extent the heightened destruction of the same (two of the major causes of low platelets) is as a result of nutrient deficiency in the body. In particular, a shortage of vitamins like Vitamin B9 (folate), Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, and Vitamin K puts you at risk of having low platelets; so is a shortage of minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium, not to mention amino acids and other vital nutrients. Therefore, consuming foods rich in these nutrients can stimulate your platelet production and send it into overdrive (in a good sort of way). 5
Here then, is a list of nutrient-dense foods you should incorporate into your diet to boost your platelets naturally and maintain them at peak levels.
1. Papaya (and Papaya Leaves) First up on our list is papaya, a super-fruit whose reputation as a vitamin powerhouse precedes it. Papaya fruit is one of the best sources of the B vitamins (B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B12, B9 (folate), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B6) as well as Vitamins A, C and K. This, by default, makes it a potent combatant of low platelets. Always opt for fresh papaya over canned whenever you can, as the canned version is saturated with sugar and calories while the vitamins and minerals are not as high. As well, organic produce will always carry the day, so choose GMO fruit over its non-GMO counterpart. The cool thing about papaya is that its nutritional value can be extracted from more than just the fruit. Every part of the plant has its own nutritional value – the seeds, the leaves, the bark; roots even. In ancient civilizations, particularly in Central and South America, no part of the buffalo went to waste, as the ancient folk engaged in a waste-not what-not policy when it came to using the various parts of the plant to cure a range of ailments. As natural health products begin to take hold with more and more people becoming aware of the benefits of natural everything, many people are going beyond the fruit to harness the full benefits of the papaya plant. In relation to boosting blood platelets, one particular part of the plant that is garnering a lot of attention is the leaf. Papaya leaves are excellent for overall blood production, and they have been used for centuries as an effective remedy to boost low platelet count.
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You could prepare a papaya leaf extract yourself if you have access to fresh papaya leaves (ideally organic) or order a readymade extract (preferably organic) such as the Herbal Papaya Blood Formula, an organic leaf extract specially made to support healthy blood platelets. Consuming this extract twice a day can significantly raise your platelet numbers.
2. Wheatgrass Wheatgrass may taste like lawn clippings, but it sure as eggs packs a powerful punch when it comes to chlorophyll content: 70% of wheatgrass juice is pure chlorophyll, making it one of the highest sources of the, er, nutrient. Back in elementary school, science class taught us that chlorophyll is the animal equivalent of blood. Its molecular structure bears an uncanny resemblance to that of hemoglobin. More importantly, however, it has been shown that consuming chlorophyll significantly increases platelets in the body while also having a strong impact on overall blood production. For this reason, regular consumption of wheatgrass juice is bound to catapult your platelet levels to the desired levels.
3. Vitamin A Rich Foods Consuming foods rich in Vitamin A can stimulate healthy platelet production. What these foods also do is support protein formation and regulation in the body, which in turn aids in the process of cell growth and division. Consuming Vitamin A-rich foods will thus sustain normal body function, and this includes maintaining a normal blood platelet count. Foods with a healthy dose of this vitamin include carrots, pumpkin, papaya, oranges, kale, and sweet potatoes.
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4. Vitamin K Rich Foods Vitamin K is one of the vitamins essential for blood clotting for it activates the proteins necessary to stimulate blood clot formation. It also helps in maintaining cell growth in the body, and given platelets have a lifespan of up to 10 days, it naturally follows that consuming foods rich in Vitamin K is essential to keep your platelet levels continually replenished. Some of the best sources of Vitamin K are leafy greens, including lettuce, spinach, kale and parsley, as well as eggs and liver.
5. Folate Rich Foods A severe deficiency of folate (aka Vitamin B9) in your body will lead to a drop in blood platelets, so it is imperative that you incorporate folate-rich foods in your diet. Folate is another vitamin central to cell functioning. It is vital for healthy cell division, something that comes in handy when addressing a platelet deficiency. A healthy adult requires a daily intake of at least 400 mg of folate, and this can be acquired from folate-dense foods such as spinach, asparagus, oranges, raisins, beans, and fortified cereals.
6. Pomegranate Pomegranate is another natural remedy for low blood platelets. Just like all red fruits, it is brimming with the mineral iron whose importance to the blood in general is in the public domain. This makes it an ideal candidate to help combat issues of low platelet levels. It comes with the bonus of being loaded with vitamins that help keep your energy levels steady, and it also contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin C which is a well-known immune system booster.
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Pomegranate was a regular feature in the diet of many ancient cultures, thanks to its healthy and medicinal properties. You can consume it either raw or juice it daily for a fortnight, with two daily servings of 150ml sufficient to bring your platelet numbers up to snuff.
7. Milk Milk is one of the most complete foods in the history of the world, so it is not surprising that it pops up on this list. We did mention calcium is one of the most essential minerals when it comes to boosting blood platelets, and turns out, milk it absolutely packed with it. Calcium helps your body regenerate platelets, working together with Vitamin K and fibrinogen (a milk protein) to raise your platelet le els a d i p o e the lood’s a ility to fo fa t, a defi ie y i
al iu
has a di e t effe t o you
ody’s a ility to fo
lots. I
lots.
In addition to milk, you can also rely on yoghurt, cheese, and organic dairy products to keep your levels of calcium at an optimum.
8. Lean Proteins Lean proteins are an excellent source of vitamin B-12 and zinc, both of which play a key role in the reversal of low platelet count conditions. For maximum benefit, include in your diet lean meat like beef, turkey, chicken and fish. Oysters and crab are also known for their generous content of zinc. Speaking of fish, for all its benefits, Omega 3 has been shown to inhibit platelet activation in the blood so it’s est to stee lea of fish oil he you a t to i
ease lood platelets, save for
maybe cod liver oil.
9. Iron Rounding us off our list of nine foods to increase blood platelet count naturally is iron, a mineral that is key to you
ody’s a ility to
a ufa tu e healthy lood ells.
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A landmark study conducted by the NCBI in 2012 established that iron also raised blood platelets in patients suffering from anemia, an iron-deficiency disorder. Iron can be found in high levels in foods like beef, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and mussels.
Last Word Consuming these foods will not doubt aid in your efforts to increase your platelet count. The thing is, though, it is good to talk to your healthcare provider about any ongoing thrombocytopenia symptoms. If your platelet numbers are way off the recommended levels, there is always the chance there could be an underlying health issue. For this reason, always make it a point of seeking medical advice to avoid any serious complications.
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