How to Increase Hemoglobin Level

What is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a protein which is rich of iron which can be found in the red-blood cells. It is in charge of transporting oxygen every part in your body; however, the main function would be bringing oxygen from lungs towards the tissues in the body, in order for living cells to function properly. Moreover, hemoglobin also supports in transporting the carbon dioxide out of cells and back to lungs ^{[1] [2]}.

Due to the extremely important role of hemoglobin in maintaining healthy daily life, it is significantly essential to keep it at normally functional level within your blood ^{[3] [4]}.

• For male adult, it should be 14 – 18 mg/dl
• For female adult, it should be 12 – 16 mg/dl

What are the symptoms of Low Hemoglobin Level?

If the level of hemoglobin declines, there will be several signs and symptoms such as breathlessness, weakness, fatigue, headache, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, lack of appetite, brittle nails and pale skin ^[5].

In case the level becomes lower significantly, you will be having anemia which will incur some severe symptoms ^[6].

What causes Low Hemoglobin Level?

For women, it is common that they have low levels of hemoglobin while having periods or pregnancy. Nonetheless, there might be some other causes such as lack of iron, vitamin B12 and C as well as folic acid ^[7].

Other external factors can be loss of blood from trauma or surgery, donating blood frequently, diseases relating to bone marrow, problems with kidney, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, stomach ulcers as well as some problems with digestive tract.

For most of the cases, low level of hemoglobin is usually associated with conditions which contribute or cause low level of red blood cells ^[8].

Here are the top 15 most recommended tips for how to increase your hemoglobin level that you can consider applying in order to improve the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells as well as keep yourself healthy.

1. Blackstrap Molasses

This is an age-old tip that can be used effectively for how to increase hemoglobin level as well as fight against anemia. Blackstrap molasses can increase red blood cell production because of folate, iron and vitamins B presenting in it ^{[9] [10] [11]}.

• Add blackstrap molasses (2 teaspoons) and apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons) to a glass of water and then mix them together.
• Drink this solution once every day.

Blackstrap molasses can also bring energy to your muscles, find out more about it at: How to Strengthen Weak Legs.

2. Avoid Iron Blockers

There is one thing that you should remember. If your hemoglobin level is low, you have to avoid iron blockers. That means you must not eat foods that can block the body’s ability to absorb iron.

Here are some kinds of iron-blocking foods:

• Coffee, wine, beer, tea, colas
• Foods are calcium-rich foods such as calcium supplements and dairy products.
• Over-the-counter antacids.

3. Nettle

Nettle is one of the herbs that are extremely helpful to human’s health. Nettle plays an important part in the treatment for how to increase hemoglobin level because it contains iron, vitamin B, vitamin C and other vitamins as well.

• Mix dried nettle leaves (2 teaspoons) with a glass of hot water.
• Wait for it to steep (10 minutes).
• Strain it before you add a little honey.
• Drink this solution 2 times every day.

4. Eat Iron-Rich Foods

It is one of the most simple and effective ways for how to increase hemoglobin level. Iron is an important element in the hemoglobin production so iron deficiency will make your hemoglobin level decrease.

Eat iron-rich foods like red meat, tofu, almonds, lentils, oysters, liver, shrimp, spinach, dates, asparagus and fortified breakfast cereals.

Another option is taking an iron supplement. Because high doses of iron may be harmful to your body so you should consult your doctor to make sure about the correct dosage.

5. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a delicious food that contains a lot of iron and protein, carbohydrates, fiber and calcium as well. It can promote blood flow and increase the hemoglobin level thanks to its nutritional value ^{[12] [13]}.

• Mix dried pomegranate seed powder (2 teaspoons) with a cup of warm milk and drink this solution once every day.
• You can also drink a cup of pomegranate juice or eat a medium-size pomegranate every day along with your breakfast.

Read more Home Remedies for Vitiligo to learn other benefits of pomegranate.

6. Exercise

Exercising regularly not only makes you stronger but also helps you on how to increase hemoglobin level because your body will produce more hemoglobin to keep up with the need of oxygen throughout the body when you exercise.

• You can do aerobic or high-intensity exercises.
• You can also add some strength training exercises in order to fight fatigue and increase muscle mass.

7. Increase Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to low hemoglobin level. In addition, without the help of vitamin, your body cannot absorb the iron fully.

• Eat vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, strawberries, broccoli, lemon, tomatoes, papaya, bell peppers, spinach and grapefruit.
• Another option is taking vitamin C supplements.

Note: Remember to consult your doctor before taking supplements.

8. Apple

Apple is a fruit that contains iron along with a lot of health-friendly components which are required if you want to have a healthy hemoglobin count. Eating apple every day can help you maintain the normal hemoglobin count ^[14].

• Eat at least an apple (especially green apples if possible) with its skin every day.
• Another option is preparing a cup of juice by mixing beetroot juice and apple juice (1/2 cup each). You should add a little lemon juice of ginger to the juice then drink this 2 times every day.

You can also learn other health benefits of apples at How to Get Rid of Motion Sickness.

9. Beetroot

This tip is one of those that are highly recommended if you want a solution on how to increase hemoglobin level because beetroot is a rich-iron food. It also contains potassium, fiber and folic acid. In addition, beetroot can increase the body’s red blood cell level because of its nutritional value ^{[15] [16] [17] [18]}.

• Take a beetroot (1 medium-sized), ½ of a sweet potato and 3 carrots to prepare a healthy juice. Drink this juice once every day.
• Another option is cooking beetroots along with their peels (1 to 2) in a microwave. You can also use the stove to roast them.
• Wait for them to cool down.
• Remember to peel the beetroots before you eat them.

10. Take Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin that is required to make red blood cells. As a result, a folic acid deficiency will lead you automatically to a low hemoglobin count.

• Eat foods that are rich in folic acid like liver, sprouts, peanuts, liver, rice, bananas, dried beans, fortified cereals, broccoli, wheat germ.

• Another option is taking folate supplement (200 to 400 milligrams) every day.
• Remember to visit your doctor for the correct dosage before taking supplement.

11. Supplements

If natural remedies cannot help you on how to increase hemoglobin level, you may consult your healthcare provider to take over-the-counter supplements or prescription.

Here are some of the supplements:

• Vitamin B12 (500-1000 mg per day)
• Vitamin C (1000 mg per day)
• Vitamin B6 (50-100 mg per day)
• Folic acid (400 mcg per day)
• Iron (20-25 mg per day)

You should take these supplements to increase your hemoglobin level because iron can help in the synthesis of the hematin. The folic acid and vitamins are helpful because they are critical for the production of the red blood cells.

12. Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is an effective way for how to increase hemoglobin level. It is a medical remedy that blood or blood products can be transferred into a blood vessel by a way of an intravenous. This tip is usually given to patients who lost blood because of diseases like hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, bleeding ulcer, trauma or surgery.

13. Increase Intake of Vitamin B12, B6 and Folic Acid

Apart from vitamin C, you should supply more vitamins like B12, B6 and folic acid to your body to increase the hemoglobin count.

• Vitamin B6: nuts and seeds, vegetables, chickpeas, fish, meat, etc.
• Vitamin B12: fish, eggs, meat, beef liver and clams, milk and other dairy products.

14. Avoid Oxalic Acid Foods and Foods with Gluten

Oxalic acid foods and foods with gluten may decrease your hemoglobin level. Oxalic acid foods might block your iron and prevent your body from absorbing the iron. And food with gluten can block the absorption of iron as well. Those are the reasons why you should avoid such foods.

15. Wholegrain

Wholegrain contains iron that can boost your hemoglobin count. You can eat breads, cereals or pasta ^{[19] [20] [21] [22]}.

Note: Remember to read the labels to know how much iron is in these foods.

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