How to Increase Hemoglobin: 7 Natural Ways To Improve Hemoglobin

“Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein present in red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. It is necessary to maintain normal levels of hemoglobin in your blood for your body to function properly i.e. 14 to 18 g/dl for adult men and 12 to 16 g/dl for adult women. When the level of hemoglobin drops, it can cause weakness, fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, poor appetite and rapid heartbeat. If the level of hemoglobin decreases significantly, the condition may be diagnosed as anemia and symptoms can become severe”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Fortis Hospital.

According to UNICEF’s report released in the 2011, close to 56% teenage Indian girls could be anaemic. The report further states that, "issues like malnutrition and anemia affect large sections of the Indian population”.

The production of hemoglobin is important for your body, and iron and B vitamins, as well as vitamin C play an important role. It is imperative to have a proper diet to maintain an optimum level of hemoglobin. For that to happen, you need to boost your intake of foods that help in the synthesis of hemoglobin. Having said that, let's learn how to increase hemoglobin.

Who Needs More Iron?

“Everyone needs iron, but people who are particularly susceptible to low hemoglobin includes menstruating women, pregnant women, growing children and patients recovering from illnesses”, adds Dr. Ahuja. "It is a crucial stage when a female starts menstruating, because the body is losing out on a lot of blood. Your body needs more iron at that point, so if you don’t take precautions early on - it can lead to anemia in the future”, says Dr. Anshul Jaibharat, Delhi-based Nutritionist.

We’ve spoken to experts and listed natural ways to restore your hemoglobin to normal levels. The length of time you’ll need to continue using these effective remedies depends on your hemoglobin level and how often your doctor checks it for improvement.

7 Natural Ways to Increase Hemoglobin

1. Eat Iron-Rich Foods

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low hemoglobin levels, according to the National Anemia Action Council. “The top iron rich foods include green leafy vegetables like spinach, beetroot, tofu, asparagus, chicken liver, whole egg, oysters, apple, pomegranate, apricot, watermelon, prunes, pumpkin seeds, dates, almonds, raisins, amla and jaggery”, adds Dr. Anshul Jaibharat.