Hemoglobin and its functions in the human body

Hemoglobin - is a complex protein which consists of a simple protein globin and iron-containing heme groups. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells, erythrocytes and serves as the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and then - carbon dioxide to the lungs. Iron, which is formed of the gems, comes into contact with the animal protein.

Normally, in the male blood contains more hemoglobin in the blood than females (135-160 g / l vs. 120-140). A feature of hemoglobin is that its ability to connect the carbon dioxide is many times stronger than the ability to attach oxygen. This property makes it particularly dangerous carbon monoxide: even at low concentrations in air, most of the hemoglobin not bound with oxygen and carbon monoxide to form a connection that is not able to bind oxygen.

What threatens low hemoglobin in the blood

If the amount of hemoglobin is below normal, then the organs and tissues begin to suffer from lack of oxygen. Primarily affected tissues which are most in need of oxygen - a tissue of the brain and kidney.

Reduced hemoglobin below normal is called iron deficiency anemia. The reason for this condition is usually covered in regular blood loss (eg, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer with frequent minor bleeding, stomach cancer, menstrual irregularities The menstrual cycle - that occurs in different phases?   and so on). Previously, such a cause of anemia are numerous wounds with heavy bleeding.

Since the heme iron is produced from animal protein, the lack of the latter (for example, in vegetarian diet) can also cause iron deficiency anemia. Finally, the cause of anemia can be a violation of iron absorption in the intestine (for example, after surgery to remove part of the stomach or intestines), or violation of educational protein, a component of hemoglobin (in hereditary diseases).

How to increase hemoglobin - the lessons of folk wisdom

Since ancient times made of iron deficiency anemia was treated with rust, which was collected with rusted iron surfaces. These "tricks" especially well known warriors who always had for this purpose special rusty swords. No less than men, women have suffered: multiple births usually accompanied by bleeding, and girls often suffer menstrual irregularities, accompanied by bleeding. Water with rust helped in this case.

Only in the XIX century, doctors were able to explain the reason for the rust helps treat anemia: it was found that the iron part of the blood and the nominal deficit is the cause of this disease.

Proper nutrition at low hemoglobin

Previously we thought that iron in any form facilitates raising hemoglobin. For example, iron deficiency was made to treat with the help of his rich foods like apples and buckwheat. But further, it was found that the iron contained in vegetable products, in the human body is absorbed in minor amounts. And to build hemoglobin body requires animal protein, which include iron, which is well absorbed by the body.

But some of these products may interfere with the digestive process, so the diet must contain complex carbohydrates, vegetables and cereals (porridge of whole grains).

But if the hemoglobin is very low for quite a long time (ie, the disease has already been formed), the one diet to restore it may be small, and needed medical treatment.

Medical treatment for low hemoglobin

Today releases a lot of iron preparations that can be absorbed well in the gastrointestinal tract and provide a source of recovery of hemoglobin. Particularly drugs containing iron and intended for oral administration, is that they are irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, in some cases, iron preparations are administered by injection. But this is dangerous as an overdose of iron can cause another not less unpleasant disease - hemosiderosis. For this reason alone take iron supplements is not recommended. In order to make the right appointment, the doctor should first establish and eliminate the cause of the disease, and then to carry out medical treatment.

Earn iron deficiency anemia is not difficult, but to increase hemoglobin - the task is not of the easiest.

Galina Romanenko