Food that can help increase Blood Platelet Counts

Every part of your body plays a function, platelets, in particular, are a vital blood component whose job is to clot the blood and stop the body from bleeding when there is a tear or abrupt impact. Low platelets in the blood can lead to life-threatening circumstances if ignored hence why those living with low platelets should be monitored to ensure their platelets remain at a safe level.

There are a few causes of low platelets some include vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, aplastic anemia, folate deficiency, viral infections, exposure to chemotherapy etc.

A healthy individual can end up with low platelets from catching a simple viral infection. What happens is the immune system (your defense mechanism) attacks the viral infection to help eliminate it from the body, however, during that process it accidentally latches onto a healthy platelet/s and then foresees platelets as now a threat. Therefore, healthy parts of your body (eg. your immune system) starts attacking other healthy parts of your body (eg. your platelets). Once the immune system has latched on it is difficult for the immune system to undo its natural process of eliminating what it sees as a treat to the body.

Symptoms of ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia) include low blood clotting resulting in, uncontrolled bleeding, bleeding gums, nose, internal bleeding, easy bruising, the appearance of petechiae etc.

There are conventional treatment methods for low platelets however, they are reactive meaning they are used when ones platelet count is at an unsafe level and they are not considered a cure. Often treatment can at times be expensive and can lead to hospitalization.

A patient, however, can do some things from home in order to assist with keeping their platelets at a safe level. This will not guarantee that they are cured or ensure that their platelets remain at a safe level indefinitely as Immune Thrombocytopenia is very unpredictable however, it can help increase those platelet counts.

So let’s take a moment to review a few foods that have the potential to increase blood platelets;

1) Vitamin B -12 foods

A lack of B12 in one's diet can result in B12 deficiency and as B12’s play a vital role in the bone marrow production of platelets a B12 deficiency can cause low platelets. Hence, why ensuring you eat enough rich sources of Vitamin B12 is important to help your body produce healthy platelets.

Sources of animal-based b 12 include

• Beef

• Lamb

• Pork

• Eggs

• Fish such as salmon, tuna and trout

Plant sources of b12 include

• Soybeans

• Plant milks (eg. soy milk)

2) Iron foods

Iron plays a vital role in regards to healthy blood cells. In particular, iron is required to help transport oxygen to the cells. A lack of iron can result in less energy in the cells as oxygen gives the cell's energy.

There have been minor reports on children with anemia and that increasing their iron had also impacted their platelet count in a positive way (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3439835/).

Women in particular that may have a heavy menstrual flow from ITP should monitor their iron as a loss of iron can occur from heavy menstrual flow.

Iron-rich foods include

• Oysters

• Spinach

• Dates

• Eggs

• Meat

• Vegetables

• Lentils

Please note too much iron is not good for the body, so all in moderation.

3) Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps facilitate blood clotting in the body hence why this is a key ingredient for someone with low platelets.

According to a study done by PDSA, more than 26% of patients that took Vitamin K reported an improvement in their platelet counts (https://www.pdsa.org/about-itp/surveys/item/357.html)

Good sources of Vitamin K include

• Leafy Greens

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Soybeans

• Meat

• Fish

• Eggs

• Olive Oil

• Spring Onions

4) Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a vital function in bone marrow cells where platelets are produced. Often our bodies can produce vitamin D by itself with the desired amount of sunlight. However, Vitamin D can also be found in foods such as;

• Egg Yolk

• Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna

• Fortified Milk and Yoghurt

• Soy Milk & Almond Milk

Here is an interesting study in regards to the success of Vitamin D and Immune Thrombocytopenia ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23556539)

5) Vitamin C

Vitamin C not only helps assist the body with immune functions but it also helps the body absorb that much needed Iron.

Vitamin C rich foods include;

• Strawberries

• Kiwifruit

• green vegetables

• capsicum

In conclusion, we must all take responsibility for our own health. Above are just some little ways that can help increase those platelets in a healthy natural way.