Monday, August 29, 2011

Increase Your Blood Iron Level

Leafy greens are rich in dietary iron.


If you've been to the doctor, had your blood tested, and have been told that you have low blood iron or even anemia, you need to know strategies to increase your iron levels. A hemoglobin test shows the iron levels in your red blood cells. Hemoglobin cells are important because they carry oxygen in the body and iron is needed to create hemoglobin. Iron comes from the foods we eat, so increasing your blood iron levels has to do with dietary practices. Do not attempt to self-treat iron-deficiency anemia. Remain under the care of your physician for this serious condition.








Instructions








1. Consume iron-rich foods such as red meats, iron-fortified cereals, eggs, dark-green, leafy vegetables, beans and dried fruits. In order to increase your blood iron levels, you need to consume more dietary iron.


2. Consume a food rich in vitamin C at the same time that you consume an iron-rich food. Vitamin C is known to enhance the absorption of iron in the intestine.


3. Under the advisement of your physician and dietitian, take an iron supplement if all other dietary methods have not succeeded in boosting your blood-iron levels. This is a last resort and should be treated as such. Make an effort to make changes through diet first. Consult a dietitian to know the exact dosage to take.

Tags: iron levels, your blood, blood iron, blood iron levels, dietary iron, increase your