In our regular diet, our intake of iron is quite low. This leads to various health problems, one of the most common ones being: low hemoglobin.

Across the world, the number of people suffering from a low hemoglobin count is on the rise. It is a matter of concern this is a precursor to other deficiency problems, most common of which is anemia. Currently, there are almost 1.62 billion people all across the globe suffering from anemia that is almost 24% of the population! Thus, it is extremely important that you identify a low hemoglobin count in your body and immediately work towards bettering it to avoid any further complications.

Here are a few ways in which you can increase your hemoglobin count:

Increase the intake of iron-rich food products.

This is perhaps one of the most important, and simplest ways to increase your body’s hemoglobin count. Eat foods rich in iron content like spinach, papaya, chicken liver, beans, and oranges. Including these in your diet, along with brown rice, sesame seeds, and wholegrains, can have a huge boost your red blood cells and resultantly you would not need to take any additional supplements to increase your iron intake.

Include foods rich in vitamin C

Many people strictly include iron-rich foods in their diet yet fail to witness a growth in their hemoglobin count. A major reason for this is that the iron present in the food is not being absorbed by the body. For the body to absorb the iron, your diet needs to include a sufficient amount of vitamin C as it helps to absorb the iron greatly. Fruits like oranges and lemons are the richest in vitamin C along with green leafy vegetables.

Increase the intake of folic acid

A B-complex class of vitamin, folate plays a very important role in the production of red blood cells in the body and a lack of these vitamins results in reduced hemoglobin levels and increases the probability of anemia. Therefore, people suffering from low hemoglobin count are also advised to take in foods that are rich in folic acids. You will find it in sufficient amounts in the following foods: green leafy vegetables, rice, peanuts, bananas, sprouts, broccoli, and dried beans. If there is a severe lack of folic acids in your diet and these foods fail to bring it back to the natural level, the doctor may advise you to take some additional supplements as well.

Avoid foods that block iron absorption in the body

It is important to note that calcium is a major iron blocker in the body. Intake of calcium-rich foods or calcium supplements should be undertaken at least an hour after your intake of iron otherwise it will decrease the iron absorption by your body and you will be back to square one. Some of the other iron blockers that you must be aware of include foods rich in tannins such as tea, coffee, wine, beer, cola, and aerated drinks.

Opt for high-intensity workouts when you exercise

Exercise plays a key role in maintaining overall health and there is no doubt about it. Regular exercise keeps your body healthy, mind fit and also helps in improving the blood circulation, thus, helping the production of hemoglobin. There have been various studies that have proved that moderate to high-intensity workouts can improve hemoglobin levels in people suffering from a low hemoglobin count and among those suffering from iron deficiency anemia.

Consult a doctor before taking iron supplements

Physicians prescribe iron supplements if your hemoglobin level is very low and refuses to ascend with natural food lifestyle changes. The doctors closely analyze your counts and prescribe medications that best suits your body. For a man, the recommended dosage is 8 mg per day, while on the other hand its 18 mg for women. But for pregnant women, its relatively high – about 27 mg a day. Since the dosages vary as per your conditions and natural course of your body, it’s best to consult your family doctor before you pick any supplement and infuse it in your daily routine. Once you have proper consultation from the doctor, you can buy medicines online with discount from sites like Pharmeasy.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrier in the body, which means if you have a dearth of red blood cells in your body, it will also cause ripple effects and your body won’t get the required amount of oxygen. Hence, it’s very important to keep your hemoglobin level within 12-14 mg/dl and prevent yourselves from dangerous situations.