Hemoglobin is a protein. It contains iron and is found in the blood. The red color of blood is due precisely to the content of hemoglobin and oxygen in it. If this substance is not enough, then oxygen enters the blood in an insufficient amount. A low hemoglobin content can lead to irreversible consequences in the body.

Why is low hemoglobin dangerous?

The very first danger is anemia, in which hair problems appear, heart rate increases, and a person constantly feels weak. This condition is typical for most expectant mothers, so it is extremely important for all pregnant women to monitor the level of hemoglobin.

In the case of a lack of this substance, absolutely all organs and tissues begin to suffer. They lack oxygen and slowly begin to die.

How to notice that hemoglobin is low

Decreased hemoglobin is not a separate disease, and therefore does not have characteristic symptoms. Determination of an increase or decrease is possible only by analysis. But still, some uncharacteristic manifestations may suggest an idea for testing: tinnitus, anorexia, drowsiness, shortness of breath or interruptions in menstruation.

The indirect manifestations of the deficiency include fragility of hair, nails, dry skin, up to cracks. The body temperature may even rise to 37.5 degrees, there may be problems with taste.

How to increase hemoglobin by changing your diet

For a long time it was believed that iron is best obtained from apples and buckwheat porridge. But long-term medical studies have shown that the substance is only partially absorbed from these products and is not enough to cover the deficiency. To really raise hemoglobin levels, the body needs animal protein.

From this we can conclude – if you want to normalize the level of iron in the blood, eat meat. Fish and eggs, dairy products will do. But do not exclude carbohydrates, but not those found in baked goods, but in vegetables and whole grains.

Diet with low hemoglobin in women and men

First of all, fast food products should be removed from the diet . They contain a lot of harmful substances, trans fats and all kinds of chemical additives that will not improve the patient’s condition.

The list of recommended products is quite wide, so there will be no problems with the preparation of the menu. Basic products:

• Fruits and berries. Peaches, strawberries, plums, apples, gooseberries, pomegranates and apricots are rich in iron. Try to use them seasonally.
• Vegetables. When solving this problem, place special emphasis on the introduction of beets into the diet. It is she who is rich in iron and generally improves the quality of blood. Cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, herbs, pumpkin, melons are no less useful.
• Spices. Oddly enough, turmeric is not only an excellent antioxidant, but also increases hemoglobin.
• Vegetable oils. Be sure to use olive, sunflower seeds for cooking.
• Dried fruits and nuts. These are exactly the foods that are recommended for snacks. Walnuts can be mixed with honey, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds are useful. From dried fruits, you can give preference to figs, persimmons, prunes and dried apricots.
• Cereals. This is another source of iron. It is best to lean on buckwheat, rice, millet porridge is suitable.
• Fish and seafood. For this purpose, they choose Pacific salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon from fish. Almost all types of salmon and even lake fish will do. From seafood, it is better to give preference to squid, mussels, octopus and crabs.
• Dairy. Almost all products from this category can be consumed, but neutral, that is, without chemical additives and a low lactose content.
• Cheese. To increase hemoglobin, cheeses with mold are most suitable. Goat cheese will do and, in principle, all natural.
• By-products are ideal for replenishing the body’s iron stores. These are, first of all, cod, beef and pork liver.
• Eggs and meat.

From drinks you need to choose coffee, but always natural. You can drink it no more than 2-3 cups throughout the day. Even cognac and wine are allowed, but in small quantities. Drinks must be of natural origin.

Low hemoglobin in children

There are many reasons for the appearance of a lack of iron in a child. This could be a genetic predisposition or severe bleeding. It is also difficult for a child to determine anemia and other diseases associated with a lack of hemoglobin, however, parents should pay attention to the following manifestations:

• drowsiness;
• pale skin;
• malaise;
• dizziness;
• bruising under the eyes;
• prostration.

First of all, to increase the amount of iron, you should adjust the diet. It is necessary to ensure that the child regularly walks in the fresh air, for at least 2 hours. He must be physically engaged. It is necessary to eliminate any stress and surround the baby with care. It is also recommended to carry out deworming, since worms do not allow all useful substances to enter the body from food.

Indications for pregnancy

It is no secret that during pregnancy, the mother’s body requires an increased amount of nutrients, because now they are consumed by two people. Iron is no exception, which is required for the formation of new cells and blood vessels. Over time, the volume of plasma increases, the number of red blood cells increases, and as a result, hemoglobin decreases. Against this background, very often women develop anemia.

A pregnant woman needs to lean on meat, nuts, buckwheat, seafood. It should be remembered that up to 50% of iron is absorbed from meat, and only 5% from plant foods.

It is recommended to increase the intake of vitamin C in the body, which promotes the absorption of iron. In no case should you refuse the consumption of vegetables and fruits, it is they that contain a lot of ascorbic acid.

In nutrition, in this case, there is only one prohibition – individual intolerance to a particular food product.

Products that increase hemoglobin

In addition to meat and offal, it is recommended to introduce halva into the diet. Only 100 g of sesame product contains 50 mg of iron. The sweetness from sunflower seeds contains less – 33 mg.

Beetroot is recommended for consumption, it saturates the body with iron and has a wide liver of vitamins and amino acids necessary for the human body.

Dried fruits are another delicious treat that can help raise your hemoglobin levels. In addition, they help to cope with cardiovascular diseases and prevent constipation.

Eat seaweed, it is no less useful for this problem. It is also useful to eat nuts. There is also a lot of iron in seafood. And, of course, the leaders are wheat bran and pomegranates.

What lowers hemoglobin

In women, a decrease in the amount of iron is often associated with uterine bleeding. It can be gynecological diseases, for example, endometriosis, but it can also be heavy menstruation. In the male half of humanity, anemia is most often found against the background of gastrointestinal bleeding . Even a small bleeding of 5-10 mg throughout the day, but daily, can cause a lack of hemoglobin. 

Problems can arise due to a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid. In some people, this problem appears against the background of a genetic predisposition.

Prohibited foods with low hemoglobin

There is no specific list of foods that lower the amount of iron in the body. For example, if you eat meat with porridge or pasta, then the iron contained in the meat will be much less absorbed. It is better to eat separately the side dish and meat separately. The same situation is with dairy products and meat, they interfere with the absorption of iron contained in it.

Fatty foods, fish, meat and lard interfere with the absorption of iron, so they can be eaten with low hemoglobin. A cup of tea, drunk immediately after a meal, does not allow the iron to be absorbed, due to the tannin it contains.

Hemoglobin is an essential component in the body that ensures the normal functioning of the human body. It is responsible for the transfer of oxygen, resists the harmful effects of poisons, and maintains the acid-base balance at a normal level. In light of this, it is imperative to control your iron levels in order to maintain your health as long as possible.