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What Does ‘Platelet Count’ Mean?
‘Platelets’ are a very important component of blood. They are the smallest of the blood cells which facilitate the body in the clotting of the blood, by forming plugs in blood vessel holes.
The role of platelets is very crucial in the case of an injury because these blood cells help the body to form clots in order to stop bleeding. Platelets circulate in the blood with an average lifespan of 5-9 days.
‘Platelet count’ refers to the number of platelets per microliter of circulating blood. The platelet count is considered to be ‘normal’when the number of platelets per microliter of circulating blood ranges between 150,000 and 450,000.
If the platelet count falls below 150,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood, it is considered to be ‘low platelet count’; and if the platelet count is more than 450,000 platelets per microliter of circulating blood, it is considered to be ‘high platelet count.’ The health condition linked to alarmingly low platelet count is known as ‘Thrombocytopenia’; whereas the health condition associated with abnormally high platelet count is called ‘Thrombocytosis.
Some of the common indications of ‘low platelet count’ include fatigue, easy bruising, slow clotting of blood, bleeding gums, and appearance of red/purple spots on the skin. On the other hand, some of the common indications of ‘high platelet count’ include chest pain, weakness, headache, and dizziness (or light-headedness).
How Can ‘Platelet Count’ Be Increased Naturally?
A ‘low platelet count’ can lead to several health complications because this conditions results from reduced production of platelets, presence of platelets in the spleen or increased breakdown of platelets. This condition can put the affected individual at apotentially high risk of internal bleeding or other problems related to blood vessels or clotting of blood.
Platelet count can be increased naturally with the help of certain foods which are readily available and are also quite cheap. However, if the number of platelets is severely low, it is advisable to seek medical treatment in time, so as to avoid complications.
Some of the foods which can be helpful in increasing platelet count naturally are:
Steamed Vegetables
The addition of steamed vegetables to daily diet can be very beneficial for people having a low platelet count. There are certain vegetables which, when taken in steamed form, can give a notable boost to platelet count. These vegetables are: pumpkin, cabbage, potatoes, peas, carrot, turnip, beans,bottle gourd, round gourd, bitter melon, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Sprouts
The intake of sprouts is also a very convenient way to increase platelet count naturally
. Patients with low platelet counts are generally advised to include sprouts of green lentils, bengal grams, beans and fenugreek to their diet.
Fruits
Making changes to the diet in order to include certain fruits can also be very effective in increasing the platelet count in a safe and natural manner. Some of the fruits which should be a part of the diet of patients with low platelet count include apples, bael, papaya, banana, pears, and pomegranate.
However, it is pertinent to note that people with low platelet count should avoid the intake of citrus fruits like lemon, orange and sweet lemon.
Salads
The inclusion of salads in the diet on a regular basis is also a very effective natural way of increasing platelet count. People who have a low platelet count should ideally consume salads which are prepared from vegetables like cucumber, radish and beetroot.
Leaves and Grass
Patients suffering from low platelet count are also advised to increase their intake of certain types of leaves and grass. Specifically, some of the leaves which can be useful in increasing platelet count include coriander leaves, mint leaves, spinach leaves, radish leaves, fenugreek leaves, rocket leaves, lettuce, and kale. So far as grass is concerned, people with low platelet count can benefit from the use of wheat grass, lemon grass, and spirulina.
Beverages
Certain beverages should be taken more frequently by people who suffer from a low platelet count. The beverages which can be particularly useful for individuals with low platelet count include: water, pumpkin juice, coconut water, and goat milk.
Herbal Teas
Another natural remedy generally recommended to people with a low platelet count is the intake of green tea and other herbal teas.
One herbal tea concoction which can be particularly beneficial for increasing platelet count involves the use of half teaspoon each of fennel (saunf), dhaniya(coriander), and anarchilka (pomegranate peel). To prepare the herbal tea, these ingredients should be boiled in 3 cups of water till the quantity is reduced to one cup. This tea should be consumed two times a day.
Juices
People with low platelet count can also benefit from the intake of specially-prepared ‘green juice’ and ‘red juice.’
‘Green juice’ can be prepared from a mixture of 10 dhaniya leaves, 5 mint leaves, 2 spinach leaves, 3 tulsi leaves, 2 sheesham leaves, 5 wheat grass stalks, and 6 lemon grass stalks. To this mixture, Cap.Spirulina, Moringa, Green essentials (1 capsule each) can be added for better results. 2 tablespoons or 200 ml of this juice should be taken two times a day to increase platelet count naturally.
To prepare ‘Red juice,’ the following ingredients should be mixed: beetroot, apple, amla, pomegranate, 10 marigold flower petals, 5 rose petals, and black grapes. People with low platelet count should consume 200 ml of this juice 2-3 times a day.
Other Foods
There are some other foods which can be taken in moderation by patients suffering from low platelet count. These foods include: 1 chapatti (preferably ‘missi roti, with raw fenugreek leaves added to the dough), 1 bowl of boiled rice (preferably brown rice) and khichadi (gruel).
Conclusion
Along with ensuring that the above-mentioned foods are added to a person’s daily diet if platelet count is low, it is also imperative to remember that there are certain foods that should be avoided by people with low platelet count. Such foods chiefly include:
- Packaged foods
- Processed foods
- Refined sugars
- Milk and Milk products
- Biscuits and Confectionary items
- Corn flakes and French fries
- All dry nuts
- Non-vegetarian foods
- Junk food
- Aerated drinks
In brief, these are some of the best ways to increase platelet count naturally. Share this information over different social media platforms and let people know about these helpful ways.
