Red blood cells (RBCs) are a crucial component of your blood. RBCs live in your body for about 115 days. Afterward, they go to the liver, where they disintegrate, and your body reuses their nutrients back into your cells. These cells contain hemoglobin, which is a protein responsible for blood’s color and carrying oxygen around the body.

If your body does not receive sufficient nutrients, RBCs may be malformed or die off quicker than the body can replace them. If you have a low red blood count or anemia, your body will work harder to carry oxygen to the cells.

This condition can occur if:

• RBCs being destroyed by your body before they are replaced
• Your body makes fewer RBCs than usual
• You have blood loss

Other diseases and conditions can cause anemia, including:

• Cancer
• Aplastic anemia
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Iron deficiency
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Vitamin deficiency
• Lead poisoning
• Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)
• Chronic kidney disease

Additionally, diseases that result in your body destroying red blood cells faster than they are produced:

• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
• Porphyria
• Thalassemia
• Hemolysis
• Sickle cell anemia

If not treated, anemia can lead to serious health complications such as heart failure, pregnancy-related complications, low immunity, etc. Therefore, it’s important to keep your RBC count regulated.

Low Red Blood Cell Count Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin and gums
• Heart palpitations

Diet for Low Red Blood Cell Count or Anemia

Generally, insufficient nutrient levels in the body can lead to anemia. Therefore, eating nutrient-rich foods can help your body produce enough red blood cells to help prevent anemia.

You should consume foods that are rich in the following nutrients:

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is essential for creating new red blood cells. Low vitamin B-12 levels prevent RBCs from maturing, leading to a condition called megaloblastic anemia. Therefore, eat foods rich in vitamin B-12, including:

• Red meat
• Fish and shellfish
• Eggs
• Dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese

Vitamin B-12 deficiency can also result in low platelet count.

Iron

Iron is essential to make hemoglobin that stores oxygen in the blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause these cells to die or become unable to circulate oxygen around the body. Eating foods rich in iron prevent anemia while nourishing the blood, including:

• Fortified cereals
• Chickpeas
• Spinach
• Chicken liver
• Lentils
• White beans
• Beef liver
• Tofu
• Shellfish such as clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, etc.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps absorb more iron, which increases the red blood cell count your body makes. Vitamin C is rich in these foods:

Vitamin B-9

Vitamin B-9, also known as folic acid or folate, is essential to create new cells. Low levels of folate may lead to anemia. Eat foods high in folic acid to prevent the condition, which can include:

• Kiwi
• Broccoli
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Red and green peppers
• Grape juice
• Baked potatoes
• Enriched bread and grains
• Asparagus
• Kidney beans
• Beef liver
• Peanuts
• Black-eyed peas
• Brussels sprouts
• Oranges/orange juice
• Spinach and mustard greens

Lifestyle Changes for Anemia

Following these simple lifestyle changes can positively impact your red blood cell count:

Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Consuming too much alcohol may decrease the RBC count, so limit your alcohol consumption to prevent anemia. Dietary guidelines in the United States reveal that moderate drinking for adult males is two drinks per day, and for adult females, it is one drink a day.

Exercising

Regular exercises are essential for creating healthy RBCs. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-to-intense physical activity per week. You can practice moderate workouts, including:

• Swimming
• Running
• Jogging
• Cycling
• Walking

Impact of Cancer on RBC Count

Anemia can be caused in people with cancer in multiple circumstances. Generally, anemia in cancer patients could be due to the following reasons:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can damage bone marrow and, combined with platinum-based drugs, can harm the kidneys. This damage is usually temporary, and the anemia often subsides a few months after the chemotherapy stops.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy to large sections of your body, including the bones in the legs, pelvis, abdomen, or chest, can damage your bone marrow and cause anemia.
• Certain kinds of cancer: Multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma can harm your bone marrow. Additionally, if your cancer spreads to your bones or bone marrow, it can adversely affect the remaining healthy red blood cells.
• Nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite: Nausea, vomiting, and reduced appetite can result in a lack of nutrients in your body. This can cause a decreased RBC count in your body.
• Excessive blood loss: If you have surgery or a tumor causes bleeding inside your body, you may lose red blood cells faster than your body can create them.

Contact the medical team of Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates today to get the best possible cancer therapy and hematology guidance or if you have any questions regarding cancer treatment.

Also Read: HIV and Cancer: Everything You Need to Know