Red blood cells fulfill the vital function of carrying oxygen from your lungs to the various cells and tissues of your body. Red blood cells also take carbon dioxide back to your lungs to be expelled when you exhale. Your bone marrow forms red blood cells from stem cells called hemocytoblasts, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Red blood cells make up about 45 percent of your blood. Your body requires nutrients like iron and vitamin E to increase your red blood cells.
B Vitamins
Your body uses B vitamins like B6 and B12 to form red blood cells, according to a 2009 article in the New York Times Health Guide, a medical reference guide accredited by the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. Red blood cells also need folate and riboflavin, two other B vitamins, to be produced. Folate also helps regulate the growth and function of red blood cells. Folate is also important in DNA synthesis. Some food sources of B vitamins include meat, eggs, milk and green leafy vegetables.
Iron
Iron is the mineral that gives red blood cells the ability to carry oxygen, according to KidsHealth.org. Your bone marrow needs iron to be able to produce red blood cells. Examples of dietary sources of iron include red meat, fish and shellfish, as well as lentils, beans, soy and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E to is necessary to keep red blood cells in a healthy and viable condition, KidsHealth.org continues. This vital nutrient protects red blood cells from free radical damage because it is an antioxidant, but vitamin E is also involved in the production of red blood cells, according to the 2009 New York Times Health Guide. Dietary sources for vitamin E include wheat germ, corn, nuts and olives. Spinach and other green leafy vegetables also come with vitamin E.
High Red Blood Cell Count
Sometimes your body produces high amounts of red blood cells. This condition is called erythrocytosis, MayoClinic.com says. A high red blood cell count is typically defined as having more than 5.72 million red blood cells in every mcL of blood for men, and 5.03 million/mcL for women. This value varies for children and is affected by age and gender. Erythrocytosis is usually a sign of poor heart or lung function because more red blood cells are produced to compensate for low oxygen levels. This also occurs as a result of too much erythropoietin. EPO is a protein released by your kidneys that enhances red blood cell production. Another reason for increased red blood cell production is to compensate for low oxygen at high altitudes. Loss of plasma also creates high levels of red blood cells.
References
- KidsHealth.org; Mineral Chart; Mary L. Gavin; September 2009
- KidsHealth.org; Vitamin Chart; Mary L. Gavin; September 2009
- Mayo Clinic; High Red Blood Cell Count; October 2010
- New York Times Health Guide; Vitamins; Linda Vorvick; March 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Red Blood Cell Production
