Boost your hemoglobin

In the simplest of words, hemoglobin is a type of protein in your body that carries oxygen in the blood to the cells in your body. Hemoglobin is made up of iron and protein. It is present in red blood cells only.

Now can you guess the main reason for low hemoglobin levels found in large populations? Of course, it is a diet low in protein! No matter how much iron-rich food you consume, if you are not consuming enough proteins how will hemoglobin get built?

Though very common, low hemoglobin is a very serious condition that needs attention and medical and dietary intervention. Let’s see symptoms of low hemoglobin levels –

• Fatigue
  
  
• Weakness
  
  
• Shortness of breath
  
  
• Pale skin and gums
  
  
• Irregular heartbeat

Along with a diet low in proteins, there is a number of reasons causing low hemoglobin levels. A second most common is a diet low in iron. So if you want to maintain your hemoglobin levels, keep the following tips in mind.

• Keep watch on symptoms of low Hb and keep checking levels regularly.
  
  
• Have enough proteins in your diet
  
  
• Include iron rich foods in your diet
  
  
• Maximise the absorption of nutrients in your body
  
  
• Avoid foods which restrict the action of iron in body like caffeine
  
  
• Consult doctor immidiately if levels are too low

Always remember if you have had a recent injury and blood loss, any internal injury, any chronic illness, or pregnancy, if you are a sports person, then you have to take extra care to maintain your hemoglobin levels.

Let’s see some hemoglobin-boosting foods you can include in your diet

1. Non vegetarian food sources: These work best as they contain both iron and proteins. Best sources among these are-

• Beef
  
  
• Chicken
  
  
• Eggs
  
  
• Lamb
  
  
• Oyesters
  
  
• Prawns

• Colocassia
  
  
• Spinach
  
  
• beetroot
  
  
• legumes
  
  
• dark chocolate
  
  
• amaranth
  
  
• bajra
  
  
• jaggery
  
  
• red kidney beans
  
  
• sesame seeds

3. Include Vitamin C-rich foods like Amla , Lemon, etc.in your regular diet.