The number of blood cells that are found within your body is dependent on a number of factors, including your diet. If you have a low blood count, consuming the correct foods, such as those that are full of iron, will give your bone marrow the components it needs to make blood cells. Consuming these foods over a period will help improve your blood count.
Citrus Fruits
The vitamin C in citrus fruits helps increase the production of white blood cells, which helps protect your body from infection. Vitamin C also increases the levels of antibodies in your system as well as interferon, which is an antibody that works to keep viruses from entering your cells. Vitamin C also raises your good cholesterol levels and lowers your blood pressure, limiting your risk of developing heart disease.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is responsible for producing red blood cells within the bone marrow. It also keeps current blood cells healthy and assists with creating new DNA, which is the genetic material that can be found in every cell of your body. Consumption of foods that are rich in vitamin B-12 helps to prevent megaloblastic anemia, an anemia that causes you to feel weak and tired. Some of the best sources of vitamin B-12 include clams, beef liver, milk, fish, eggs and poultry.
Iron
Because a low red blood cell count is often the result of an iron deficiency, it makes sense that eating foods that are rich in iron will help your body make new cells. In addition to aiding in the regulation of cell growth, iron also increases energy and immunity by easing oxygen delivery to your cells. Iron fortified cereal and oatmeal are among the best food sources of iron available. Other iron sources include cooked chicken livers, soybeans, lentils, oysters, clams, beef tenderloin and turkey.
Considerations
Before you make significant changes to your diet in an effort to increase your blood count, consult with your physician to ensure that there you don't have an underlying problem that is lowering your blood cell count. Your doctor will determine the cause of the low blood cells and recommend a treatment plan that may include changes to your diet, a multivitamin that contains extra zinc or iron or a prescription medication.
