Ways to Increase Platelet Count Naturally
Platelets are tiny blood cells that form blood clots in the body to stop bleeding. If the platelet count falls below normal, blood clotting is reduced. This reduction in platelets can increase the risk of prolonged bleeding and infections. A low platelet count can be caused by an underlying health condition or side effects of a medication.
This article discusses the causes of low platelet count, the signs, and how to improve platelets naturally.
What causes a low platelet count?
Two main low platelet count causes are:
- Side effects of medication
Some conditions like leukemia and certain chemotherapy medications can lead to low platelet production in the body.
- Rapid platelet breakdown
A low platelet count also results when the platelets are used too rapidly in the body. It can be caused by pregnancy, a swollen spleen, an autoimmune condition or certain bacterial infections.
What are the symptoms of a low platelet count?
Some common signs of a low platelet count include:
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Red spots under the skin like freckles
- Large red or purple spots under the skin without an injury
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding from gums
- Tarry vomit
- Blood in urine or stool making it appear dark red, black and tarry
- Excessive menstrual bleeding in women
How to increase platelets naturally?
A low platelet count can be caused by a medical condition and requires medical attention. Platelet count can be increased naturally by consuming certain foods and avoiding others.
Some food items that can help increase platelet count are:
- Papaya
Papaya and papaya leaves can naturally increase platelet count by improving bone marrow platelet production. Fresh Papaya can be eaten as a fruit or papaya leaves can be made into juice.
Papaya leaf extract is also available in supplement form. However, papaya leaf extract supplements can interfere with some medications and should be consumed after consulting a doctor.
- Green Leafy Vegetables
Folate is required to produce platelets and red and white blood cells in the body. Hence, consumption of foods rich in folate can naturally increase platelet count.
Green leafy vegetables, especially spinach, are a good source of folate.
Some other food items rich in folate are beef liver, mustard greens, legumes (especially black-eyed peas and kidney beans), rice, asparagus and peanuts. Some breakfast cereals are also fortified with folate.
Green vegetables also contain vitamin K, which is essential in blood clotting. Vegetables like collard greens, turnip green, spinach, kale and broccoli have the highest vitamin K content among all green vegetables and are excellent for increasing platelet count naturally.
- Kiwi
Kiwi is abundant in vitamin C which helps platelet grouping and functioning. Vitamin C also increases iron absorption, which can increase platelet count.
Some other food items rich in vitamin C include broccoli, red pepper, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, pineapple, tomato, cauliflower, oranges and grapefruits.
- Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains iron in abundance. Iron is required for large cell production in the bone marrow, which breaks down into platelets. As a result, consuming dark chocolate can increase platelets naturally.
Other food items with high iron content are oysters, white beans, lentils, spinach, pumpkin seeds and tofu.
- Eggs
Eggs and other animal animal-based foods are excellent sources of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential for keeping the blood cells healthy.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the probable causes of low platelet count. Hence, consuming foods with vitamin B12 can naturally increase platelet count. Apart from eggs, some other excellent sources of vitamin B12 are beef liver, clams, and nutritional yeast.
Some food items can reduce platelet counts and can be avoided.
These include:
- Alcohol
Alcohol reduces platelet count in multiple ways. It not only causes a folate deficiency but also actively destroys existing platelets. Alcohol also increases the chance of bleeding.
- Tonic Water
Tonic water contains quinine, which can destroy platelets and cause a drop in the platelet count.
- Artificial Sweeteners with Aspartame
Consumption of aspartame can cause low platelet levels in some people.
- Supplements
Certain supplements can affect platelet count and should be consumed only in consultation with a doctor. These include:
- Ginseng
- Garlic, ginger, turmeric (in supplement form)
- St. John’s wort
- Evening primrose oil
A low platelet count raises the chances of infection and prolonged bleeding. Consuming certain foods can help naturally increase platelet count.
However, the symptoms of low platelet count should not be ignored and require medical intervention. If any individual presents with symptoms of low platelet count given here, they should consult a doctor and book a platelet count test at Dr Lal PathLabs.
FAQs
- How can platelet count be increased in two days?
While there is no quick-fix solution to increase platelet count in two days, consuming foods rich in folate, vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin C can help naturally increase platelet count over time.
- What supplements should be avoided with low platelet count?
Certain supplements can worsen a low platelet count condition, including L-tryptophan, Ginseng, Vitamin B3, and Niacin.
