Blood is responsible for the transportation of oxygen, nutrients, hormones and waste products and is the foundation of a healthy organism. The average male adult has 12 pints of blood, which are constantly being filtered and recycled through the kidneys and the spleen. Blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, all of which depend on vitamins and other nutrients for their production and maintenance.
Vitamin B6
Red blood cells, which are the most prevalent cells in blood, transport oxygen throughout the body and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products. According to the University of Iowa's DeGowin Blood Center, the average red blood cell lives for only 120 days, so the body needs to produce new cells constantly. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a key nutrient in the manufacture of red blood cells. According to the book, "The Vitamins," vitamin B6 plays an essential role in the metabolism of red blood cells in bone marrow and is also required to assemble hemoglobin, a specialized iron-based molecule within red blood cells that binds to oxygen.
Vitamins B2, B9 and B12
Other B-vitamins play essential roles in the production of red blood cells, such as vitamin B2, or riboflavin. MedlinePlus notes that riboflavin generally works in conjunction with other B-vitamins when involved with the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is important for metabolism and helps form red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet cells, in addition to maintaining the central nervous system. Vitamin B9, or folate, works closely with vitamin B12 to form red blood cells and is also necessary for the production of DNA, which controls all tissue growth and cell function.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, has a variety of healthy effects on the immune system, including white blood cells. Studies have shown that vitamin C stimulates increased production of many white blood cell types, including killer-T cells, which allow the blood to fend off various pathogenic microorganisms. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant and can counteract the destructive effects of free radicals in the bloodstream. Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron, essential for the hemoglobin molecules to bind oxygen. Vitamin C is also needed for the synthesis of collagen and connective tissue, which are essential in maintaining blood vessel integrity and blood pressure.
Vitamin E
According to MedlinePlus, Vitamin E also plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting. Vitamin K allows the blood platelet cells to become "sticky" and coagulate, reducing internal bleeding and allowing external injuries to heal properly.
References
- University of Iowa - DeGowin Blood Center: Blood Facts
- "The Vitamins, Third Edition"; Gerald F. Combs; 2007
- MedlinePlus: Functions of Vitamins
- Oregon State University - Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C
