Hemoglobin is a protein found inside red blood cells and is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the different tissues of the body; in addition to carrying carbon dioxide back to the aforementioned organs.
The levels of this substance are measured by a blood test. Hemoglobin is usually expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dL) of blood. A low level of hemoglobin in the blood is directly related to a low level of oxygen, explains information from the Medical News Today health portal.
When the levels of this protein are low, frequent tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath and paleness, cold hands and lack of concentration may occur, states the Tua Saúde wellness and health portal. These signs indicate that the person suffers from anemia, a disease caused by insufficient red blood cells.
The most common causes of this condition are iron deficiency, substantial blood loss, cancer that affects the bone marrow, such as leukemia; kidney or liver disease, hypothyroidism, or a thyroid gland that does not produce enough hormones; thalassemia, an inherited disease that prevents hemoglobin from working properly, and sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder that causes reduced levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
The American Cancer Association indicates that some risk factors for a person to suffer from anemia are: certain chemotherapy drugs, some types of tumor and having a low hemoglobin level before cancer. To increase the levels of this protein, you can use natural strategies that are basically supported by food.
Increase iron intake: According to Medical News Today, a person with low hemoglobin levels may benefit from eating more iron-rich foods. For this, products such as meat and fish, soy foods, eggs, dried fruits, broccoli, green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, nuts and seeds, and peanut butter can be included in the diet.
More folate: Folate, also known as vitamin B9, plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin. The body uses this nutrient to make heme, a component of hemoglobin that helps carry oxygen. Among the sources of folate are beef, spinach, rice, peanuts, beans, avocado and lettuce.
Maximize iron absorption: Consuming iron in food or supplements is important, but helping the body absorb this mineral is also key. Products rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and strawberries and green leafy vegetables, increase the amount of iron that is absorbed and taking iron supplements also helps.
“Vitamin A and beta-carotene can help the body absorb and use iron,” says Medical News Today. Some of the foods rich in this vitamin are fish, liver, pumpkin, kale and Swiss chard; while sources of beta-carotene include yellow, red, and orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and mango.
Take iron supplements: When a person has very low hemoglobin levels, they can resort to taking iron supplements, with medical supervision. However, it is very important not to overdo it because it can be dangerous and cause hemochromatosis, which in turn leads to liver disease and side effects such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting.