How to Raise Your Hemoglobin

Raising your hemoglobin count will ensure that your organs have enough oxygen and that you are properly energized.

Keeping your hemoglobin count within the required parameters is essential for good health. Your bone marrow requires iron to produce a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binds oxygen to itself and transports it to the organs of the body, ensuring their optimum performance. When the hemoglobin count drops, it results in a condition called anemia. There are many reasons for anemia to occur, and correcting these will automatically raise your hemoglobin levels.

Instructions

1. Eat iron-rich meals. Have whole-egg omelets and iron-fortified cereals for breakfast. For lunch, load up on leafy-green vegetables such as spinach and artichoke, legumes such as beans and lentils and meats such as lean beef and liver. Have seafood dinners more often with clams and oysters. Add an iron-rich item to every meal.

2. Load up on iron-rich snacks. Dried fruits such as prunes, apricots, almonds and raisins make excellent snacks that are rich in iron.

3. Get more vitamin C, which helps in the absorption of iron. If you want to increase your hemoglobin levels fairly quickly, take a vitamin C supplement or have vitamin C foods such as broccoli, tomato and red peppers with every meal.

4. Keep healthy herbs handy. Herbs such as basil, thyme and sage are rich in iron. You can grow these yourself in a kitchen garden or buy them at the store. Sprinkle these liberally in your cooking --- in pasta, sauces and even on grated cheese spreads.

5. Take iron, folate and vitamin B12 supplements. In addition to getting your iron from natural sources, be sure to take an iron supplement every day. Your body also needs folate and vitamin B12 to effectively absorb iron. Take these supplements to speed absorption and increase hemoglobin levels.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not exceed the prescribed dose of iron supplements. Iron in its artificial form can irritate the stomach and cause either constipation or gastric issues. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting on any supplement.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Anemia
• Whole Food Catalog: Seasoning Spices High In Iron
• Fruits And Veggies, More Matters: Best of Vitamin C

Resources

• World Health Organization: Anaemia