How to Raise Blood Count Naturally

Blood counts reveal facts about your health. Anemia is a blood disorder resulting from red blood cells not getting enough hemoglobin. Thrombocytopenia indicates you have low levels of blood platelets. Low levels of white blood cells (leucopenia) weaken the body’s defenses, leaving it open to infection. Don’t ignore low blood cell counts; they affect important body functions, such as the ability to fight illness.

Things You'll Need

• Blood test results

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Instructions

• 1

  If you’ve been diagnosed with anemia, supplement your diet with iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid. Iron-rich foods include meat, spinach and other dark green vegetables, peanuts, eggs, lentils and prunes. Meat, eggs and dairy products contain vitamin B-12. Sources of folic acid include spinach and other dark green vegetables, peas, beef liver, eggs, bananas and oranges. Some foods, such as cereals, are fortified with iron, vitamin B and folic acid. Vitiman C aids the body in iron absorption, so make sure you’re getting enough of this vitamin through citrus fruits and many vegetables. Include high-protein foods, such as chicken, cheese, eggs and milk in your diet. Avoid raw or course vegetables, as they are more difficult to digest and they could damage intestinal lining, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

• 2

  For a leucopenia diagnosis, supplement your diet with foods and nutrients that help fight infection. Certain medicines and antibiotics can lower white blood cell count, so discuss any alternatives with your physician. Chemotherapy can also lower white blood cell levels. Include plenty of protein, vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidants in your diet. Zinc also boosts your body’s immunity, reports the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Eat healthy meat choices, legumes and yogurt. Zinc may interact with blood lipoproteins and lower HDL levels, reports the NLM, so use with caution, especially if you are taking medication or supplements for lowering cholesterol.

• 3

  If you’ve been diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, avoid aspirin because it thins the blood. Don’t drink alcohol excessively, recommends researchers at the Mayo Clinic. Because certain medications may contribute to this disorder, discuss any possible options with your physician. Generally, the underlying cause of thrombocytopenia needs to be treated to increase platelets levels.