Your blood count can drop when you experience nutritional deficiency, blood loss or diseases such as cancer and kidney disease. Fewer red blood cells in your body mean that less oxygen circulates, and your metabolism will slow or malfunction. You can bump up your production of red blood cells, which takes place in bone marrow, by eating foods that contain blood-making compounds. Your body needs iron, protein and several B vitamins to form blood cells, and vitamin C for optimal iron absorption.
Bran Flakes
Fortified breakfast cereal such as wheat bran flakes may have every component necessary for red blood cell production. Check the nutrition facts on the label and buy a brand that has the highest daily value, or DV, percentage of iron; vitamin B-2, or riboflavin; vitamin B-6; vitamin B-9, or folate; and vitamin B-12 per suggested serving. Most cereals have 2 g or more of protein, and some are fortified with moderate amounts of vitamin C.
Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are protein sources that contribute more iron than beef, with less saturated fat and no cholesterol, for better cardiovascular function to support blood circulation. One cup of cooked pinto beans also provides significant B vitamin and moderate vitamin C content.
Oranges
If your daily diet falls short of the recommended 60 mg of vitamin C, eat oranges or drink orange juice more often. One whole orange delivers more than 100 percent DV of the vitamin C that supports iron use for blood cell production.
Clams
If your normal diet has a shortage of iron, include clams in more of your meals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 3-oz. serving of clam flesh has the highest iron content of any food, with 130 percent DV. Clams also provide high protein and significant amounts of all the B vitamins needed for forming new red blood cells.
Liver
Organ meats are also good sources of iron, protein and B vitamins. Turkey and chicken livers have the greatest iron content, while beef liver and pork liver sausage still deliver about 30 percent DV per 3 oz.
Spinach
Spinach becomes a superfood for red blood cell formation when you cook it and concentrate its nutrients. A single cup of cooked spinach has nearly every relevant dietary element, with 11 percent DV of protein, 36 percent DV of iron, 25 percent DV of riboflavin, 22 percent DV of vitamin B-6, 66 percent DV of folate and 29 percent DV of vitamin C.
