Platelets aid in blood clotting to stop bleeding. Low platelet count, also known as thrombocytopenia, is a condition when your blood platelets are lower than normal.
By eating meals high in specific vitamins, a person may be able to naturally raise their platelet count.
Here I am going to discuss the causes of low platelets, when to consult a doctor, and how to increase platelet count.
Keep reading!
Table of Contents
What Causes Low Platelets Count?
You may have symptoms such as weariness, easy bruising, and bleeding gums when your platelet count is low. Now, what causes low platelet count and these symptoms?
Several conditions and drugs can result in thrombocytopenia, including Infections
- Leukaemia
- Cancer therapies
- Alcoholism
- Liver cirrhosis
- Spleen enlargement
- Sepsis
- Autoimmune disorders
It’s crucial to work with your doctor to identify the root cause of low platelet counts if a blood test reveals them. If you are wondering what is the normal value of platelets count – it’s 150,000 to 400,000 per microlitre.
Now, the question is how to increase platelets? You might be able to increase your platelet count by food and supplements if you have mild thrombocytopenia. But in order to prevent complications, you’ll probably require medical care if your platelet count is dangerously low.
How to Increase Platelets Naturally?
Let’s see how you can increase platelet count simply by adding and avoiding some foods in your diet.
Foods to Include in Diet
Certain vitamins and minerals found in foods can assist your body in producing and maintaining platelets in your blood.
You can also take supplements of these nutrients to increase platelets. However, it’s preferable to attempt to get these nutrients from foods when you can, even if many of them are also accessible as supplements.
Some of the nutrients that you should increase their consumption include:
1- Increase Folate Consumption
Folate is a natural form of vitamin B9 that supports all of your cells, including blood cells. Many foods already contain it naturally, while folic acid is also available in synthetic form.
Foods that contain folic acid or folate include:
- Beef Liver
- Leafy green vegetables such as spinach
- Rice
- Yeast
- Black-eyes peas
- Fortified breakfast cereals
NOTE: Because high doses of folic acid from supplements or fortified foods can affect how vitamin B12 works, people should be careful not to take excessive amounts.
2- Consume Vitamin C Rich Foods
Increasing your vitamin C levels can improve the function of your current platelets because vitamin C plays a crucial part in how platelets operate. The creation of red blood cells depends heavily on iron, which vitamin C aids your body in absorbing.
Boost your intake of vitamin C by including following foods in your diet:
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Pineapple
- Broccoli
- Mangoes
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Cauliflower
NOTE: However, if you are on any prescription medications, consult your doctor before eating grapefruit as the chemicals in grapefruit can affect how well medications are absorbed.
3- Consume More Iron Rich Foods
As you boost vitamin C intake also consider boosting your iron intake. The creation of healthy blood cells by your body depends on iron. Increasing your iron consumption can help you naturally increase your platelet levels.
Some iron rich foods include:
- Tofu
- Kidney beans
- Beef liver
- Oysters
- Dark chocolate is also a wonderful source of iron
NOTE: Avoid iron supplements because they may cause constipation.
4- Go for Vitamin B-12 Foods
Your blood cells’ health is supported by vitamin B-12. FYI low platelet counts have been linked to vitamin B-12 deficiency.
The best sources of vitamin B-12 tend to be animal-based foods, such as:
- Eggs
- Beef liver
- Clams
NOTE: While dairy products like milk and cheese contain vitamin B-12 as well, some research suggests that cow’s milk may inhibit the synthesis of platelets.
5- Eat Vitamin K Rich Foods
Moving next to how to increase platelets there is vitamin K rich foods. Your body’s ability to create proteins necessary for the clotting process is significantly aided by vitamin K. Therefore, eating enough vitamin K can maintain the body’s capacity to stop bleeding.
Some vitamin K-rich foods include:
- Broccoli
- Leafy greens such as kale, collards, spinach, etc.
- Soy
- Pumpkin
6- Supplements to Try
Additionally, several supplements can also raise platelet counts. However, before using a new supplement, it is necessary to consult a physician because some of them may make certain conditions worse or have unfavourable interactions with other medications or supplements.
Some supplements that have been seen to improve platelets count include:
Papaya Leaf Extract
The most popular treatment for low platelet counts is definitely this one. Regularly taking a glass or two of papaya leaf extract can help you raise your platelet count if you have dengue fever. You may obtain papaya leaf extract in tablet form from many health food stores.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, a green pigment in plants, is abundant in supplements made from algae, such as Chlorella. Despite the paucity of available evidence on its efficiency, chlorophyll supplementation may help with some low platelet count symptoms.
Foods to Avoid
When attempting to increase your platelet levels, you should stay away from certain foods and supplements that have been linked to decreased platelet counts. These include:
1- Alcohol
Be it beer, wine, or spirits, alcohol can impair the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells. All forms of blood cells, including platelets, can be produced less when the bone marrow is damaged.
So, if you have a low platelet count, your best bet is to completely avoid alcohol. Your platelet count may increase again as a result of this improving marrow function.
Secondly, alcohol may also result in a folate shortage (important for the synthesis of platelets), and thirdly, it increases the risk of bleeding overall contributing to the loss of platelets.
2- Tonic Water (Quinine)
Tonic water typically contains quinine, which is a well-known contributor to drug-induced thrombocytopenia. Therefore, avoid consuming a lot of tonic water to get a dangerous amount of quinine that will cause a decrease in platelets.
3- Others
In at least a few studies, some other foods have been connected to decreased platelet counts or platelet dysfunction. These consist of:
- Cranberry juice
- Cow’s milk
- The artificial sweetener aspartame
When to See A Doctor?
Thrombocytopenia might result in serious problems if it is not appropriately treated. Immediately consult your physician if you see:
- Excessive bleeding
- Bleeding after using the bathroom or after blowing your nose
- Headache
- Persistent bleeding from a lesion or cut
- Easy bruising
- Formation of petechiae, which are red spots on the skin that don’t blanch under pressure
- Bleeding gums
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Blood in the faeces or urine
These signs and symptoms point to a more serious case of thrombocytopenia that might require medical intervention. Immediately consult with the best physicians near you. You can make an appointment via Healthwire.pk.
The Bottom Line!
How to increase platelets naturally? You may increase your platelet count with the help of specific foods and supplements. However, make sure to inform your doctor of any persistent thrombocytopenia symptoms. To prevent major consequences, you’ll probably require medical treatment if your platelet count is really low.
