Blood is essential for our survival and is a mixture of various components. The liquid part, called plasma, is water, salts, and protein. The solid part of our blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In this, you learn about the nutrients and top foods to increase blood platelets.
What is Platelet Count (PLT)?
Platelets are responsible for blood clotting. Platelets serve as a therapeutic in the event of an injury. A low platelet count can lead to uncontrolled bleeding, which can be a life-threatening condition. So we should have a healthy platelet count.
You can choose a complete blood count test to check your platelet count. Platelet count is the number of platelets you have (per microliter of blood).
- Lower range: Less than 150,000 platelets per microliter
- Standard range: 150,000-450,000 platelets per microliter
- Recommended range: 500,000-1 million platelet per microliter
What are the nutrients essential to increase the platelet count?
A viral infection can reduce your platelet count significantly, and after seeing difficult episodes of Covid, it becomes even more important to have a healthy platelet count.
The following nutrients can help you increase your platelet count naturally.
- Vitamin B-12– Vitamin B-12 is an essential element in the healthy functioning of our bodies. Our bodies cannot make Vitamin B-12 alone, so we need to take it out. Liver, clams, sardines, beef, tuna, trout, salmon, milk and dairy products help making Vitamin B12.
- Iron – Iron is a component of hemoglobin that gives red color to our blood. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia and decreased platelet count. Lentils, dark chocolate, fortified cereals, and raw vegetables are some of the best options for Iron.
- Folates– Folate is an important component of healthy blood cells. Green leafy vegetables, Sprouts, breakfast cereals, black-eyed peas are some great sources of folate.
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C can be an excellent nutrient when it comes to increasing the amount of platelets naturally. Orange fruit, broccoli, and iron peppers are good sources of Vitamin C.
- Vitamin K – Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that promotes blood clotting and bone health, so it is best not to overdo it. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, soybeans, and pumpkin are good sources of Vitamin K.
- Vitamin A– Vitamin A promotes the production and function of blood cells, so it is necessary for a healthy platelet count. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, tomatoes, and mangoes.
Foods That Increase Your Platelet Count
1. Pomegranates
Pomegranates are rich in iron and can significantly improve the quality of blood cells. Pomegranates also contain high levels of Vitamin C, which is essential for strengthening the immune system. A bowl of pomegranate fruit several times a day can help fight malaria.
2. Papaya Leaf Extract:
The extraction of papaya leaf is a highly recommended diet to increase platelet count. Those suffering from dengue may find it extremely helpful to eat a glass of papaya leaf or two. Clinical trials have clearly shown the great benefit of the papaya leaf in the increase in platelet count in viral infections.
Capsules extracted from papaya leaves are also available on the market for those who find it difficult to swallow juices.
3. Giloy:
Giloy is another excellent product for increasing the number of platelets naturally, giloy is the source of all the essential qualities for improving immunity.
Giloy can be taken in the form of juice and giloy pills are also available in the market.
4. Wheat Grass Juice:
Wheatgrass juice is best known for increasing the amount of platelet. Wheatgrass has high levels of chlorophyll similar to the structure of hemoglobin in our blood. So not only platelet but also increases red blood cells and white blood cells in our blood. The juice is loaded with magnesium, potassium, vitamins, sodium, and amino acids, making it a good choice to increase immunity and blood cell count.
5. Kale:
Kale and all other green leafy vegetables are rich sources of vitamin K. (Vitamin K plays an important role in blood circulation). Adding raw vegetables to your diet can speed up platelet production in your bone marrow.
6. Pumpkin:
Pumpkin has amazing properties for increasing the amount of platelets as it contains vitamin A, which is important in improving the number of platelets produced by the bone marrow.
Foods to Avoid
There are certain foods and beverages that can be harmful to your healthy platelet count, such as
- Alcohol
- Cranberry juice
- Aspartame, a synthetic sweetener
- Quinine, a substance found in bitter lemon and tonic water
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