Blood Support Remedy
Blood is a combination of plasma (a watery liquid) and cells that float in it. It is a specialized bodily fluid that supplies essential substances and nutrients such as sugar, oxygen, and hormones to our cells. Blood also carries waste away from those cells. This waste is eventually flushed out of the body in urine, feces, sweat, and lungs (carbon dioxide). Blood also contains clotting agents.
Plasma constitutes 55% of blood fluid in humans. Apart from water, plasma also contains: Blood cells, Carbon dioxide, Glucose (sugar), Hormones and Proteins.
Functions of the Blood- It supplies oxygen to cells and tissues.
- It supplies essential nutrients to cells, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and glucose.
- It removes carbon dioxide, urea and lactic acid (waste products).
- It transports hormones.
- It regulates our acidity (pH) levels.
- It regulates our body temperature.
- Red blood cells are also known as RBCs or erythrocytes. Their shape is similar to slightly indented, flattened disks. These are the most abundant cells, and contain hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb).
- Hemoglobin is a protein which contains iron. It transports oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and cells. 97% of a human's red blood cells content is protein.
- Hemoglobin is a protein which contains iron. It transports oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and cells. 97% of a human's red blood cells content is protein.
- Platelets (thrombocytes) are involved in the clotting (coagulation) of blood. When we bleed, the platelets clump together to help form a clot. If exposed to air, the platelets break down and release fibrinogen into the bloodstream.
- This sets off a series of reactions which result in the clotting of blood. An example is when a scab forms on a skin wound.
White cells, red cells and platelets are made in the bone marrow - a jellylike substance that fills the cavities of bones. Bone marrow consists of fat, blood, and special cells (stem cells) that turn into the various kinds of blood cells. The main areas of bone marrow involved in the formation of blood cells are in the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull and hips.
Fun Facts
- It takes a drop of blood between 20-60 seconds to travel away from the heart and back again.
- Blood makes up about 10% of your body weight, so adults contain 10-15 pints.
- Each Red Blood Cell has a life span of about 4 months; at the end of their lives they are eliminated by the spleen and the Kupffer cells in the liver. The body continuously replaces the ones that die.
Health Conditions
Disorders of Red Blood Cells:- Anemia (low number of red blood cells) can cause fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath with exertion. Iron is necessary for the body to make red blood cells.
- Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency) is an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing enough B12 in the diet.
- Aplastic anemia is when the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells, including red blood cells.
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is when an overactive immune system destroys the body's own red blood cells, causing anemia.
- Thalassemia is a genetic form of anemia that mostly affects people of Mediterranean heritage.
- Sickle cell anemia is a genetic condition that affects mostly African-Americans where red blood cells change shape and block blood flow. Severe pain and organ damage can occur.
- Polycythemia vera is when the body produces too many blood cells and can cause blood clots.
- Malaria is caused when a mosquito bite transmits a parasite into a person's blood, where it infects red blood cells.
- Red blood cells can rupture causing fever, chills, and organ damage.
- Lymphoma : A form of blood cancer that develops in the lymph system. Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are the two major groups of lymphoma.
- Leukemia : A form of blood cancer in which a white blood cell becomes malignant and multiplies inside bone marrow.
- Leukemia may be acute (rapid and severe) or chronic (slowly progressing).
- Multiple myeloma: A blood cancer in which a white blood cell called a plasma cell becomes malignant. The plasma cells multiply and release damaging substances that eventually cause organ damage.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome: A family of blood cancers that affect the bone marrow. Myelodysplastic syndrome often progresses very slowly, but may suddenly transform into severe leukemia.
- Thrombocytopenia is a low number of platelets in the blood.
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare blood disorder causing small blood clots to form in blood vessels throughout the body. Platelets are used up in the process, causing a low platelet count.
- Essential thrombocytosis (primary thrombocythemia) is when the body produces too many platelets. The platelets do not work properly, resulting in excessive clotting, bleeding, or both.
- Sepsis is an infection somewhere in the body that spreads into the blood. Symptoms include fever, rapid breathing, and low blood pressure.
- Hemophilia is a genetic deficiency of certain proteins that help blood to clot. There are multiple forms of hemophilia, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening.
- Von Willebrand disease, or von Willebrand factor is a genetic issue where protein in blood that helps blood to clot does not work properly.
- Hypercoaguable state is a tendency for the blood to clot too easily.
- Deep venous thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. A deep venous thrombosis can dislodge and travel to the heart, causing a pulmonary embolism.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition that causes tiny blood clots and areas of bleeding throughout the body simultaneously. Severe infections, surgery, or complications of pregnancy are conditions that can lead to DIC.
Suggestions To Strengthen
- Eliminate alcohol and other substances that are unhealthy (preservatives, additives, processed foods, etc.).
- Keep the Liver & the Kidneys clean and healthy.