Platelets are very important for controlling bleeding, as they promote the function of blood clotting. Without enough platelets, your body is prone to heavy bleeding and easy bruising, even for small injuries. Low platelet can occur for various reasons, and depending on the cause you may need medications to increase the platelet counts in your body. Apart from medications, there are also certain food items that can help increase the platelet count naturally. Read on to know more.
When you have a low blood platelet count, you are diagnosed with a condition called thrombocytopenia. In this condition, the platelets responsible for blood clotting are very low, making you highly susceptible to heavy bleeding. You will be diagnosed with a low platelet count if your platelets are less than 150,000 per microlitre of blood.
The following symptoms may indicate you have a low platelet count:
• Severe bleeding, even when the injury is small
• Frequent bleeding from the nose and gums
• Blood passed through stools and urine
• Heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles
• Getting bruised easily
• Small spots (usually red or brown in colour) found under the skin; caused due to the leaking of the blood vessels (this condition is known as petechiae)
• Different coloured skin patches (red, purple, or brown, usually) underneath the skin due to heavy bleeding
When you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor and find out how to increase platelet count naturally.
There are certain foods and supplements that you can consume to increase your platelet count.
Here are the foods you should include in your regular diet to increase platelet count naturally:
Green leafy vegetables, like spinach, mustard greens, and asparagus, are rich in folate (vitamin B9), a nutrient essential for platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell production.
Other choices of food high in folate include beef liver, legumes especially black-eyed peas and kidney beans, rice, and peanuts. Folate supplementation can significantly reduce stroke risk, particularly among individuals with low platelet counts and high homocysteine levels.
This vitamin C-rich fruit is an excellent addition to a low platelet diet. Vitamin C aids platelet function by promoting aggregation and adhesion. Examples of other foods that are rich sources of vitamin C include strawberries, broccoli, red bell pepper, and citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges.
This is a great source of iron which is essential for red blood cell formation and healthy maintenance of platelet counts. Iron helps form large bone marrow cells that are broken down to form platelets. Other vegetarian foods that are a good source of iron include spinach, tofu, fortified cereals, and lentils.
This contains vitamin B12, which helps to form platelets. Nutritional yeast can provide as much vitamin B12 as beef liver. Increasing your intake of nutritional yeast and other sources, such as clams, tuna, and salmon can help support healthy platelet levels.
This food item has nearly the highest content of Vitamin K of any food. Vitamin K plays an essential role in blood clotting. One can also include kale, broccoli, spinach, and turnip greens to meet the daily dietary requirement of vitamin K.
Certain foods are associated with lowering the platelet counts. This includes:
• Alcohol
• Tonic water
• Certain artificial sweeteners
• Cranberry juice
• Tahini
Regular consumption of certain foods can increase your platelet count. However, if your platelet count is reducing due to severe health conditions like cancer, dengue, or thrombosis, it is best to take medicines instead of depending on food alone.
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Sources: medicalnewstoday.com
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.
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Last Updated on January 22, 2025
Published on February 15, 2024