Healthy blood requires a balance of iron, oxygen, and regulated sugar levels. Learn how diet, stress, and exercise influence your white blood cell count, platelet levels, and overall circulatory health.
Phosphate, or phosphorus, is required by the body for healthy bones and teeth. A high level of phosphate, however, can lead to organ damage due to hardening of the tissues from calcium salts. Phosphate levels are normally higher in children than in adults because their bones are actively growing.
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Red blood cells make up a portion of blood. A normal red blood count is 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter; women have a lower red blood count, between 12.1 and 15.1gm/dL, according to Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. Lower than normal numbers indicate anemia. A red blood count of 7.
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Your blood sugar levels fluctuate naturally throughout the day, and the normal blood sugar range is between 70 and 140 mg/dL. Your blood sugar levels are generally lowest in the morning, because you have not eaten for several hours, and increase after your first meal of the day.
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Orange juice contains natural sugar that will cause your blood sugar levels to rise after drinking it. Diabetics and people with hypoglycemia are often instructed to drink a glass of orange juice if blood sugar levels are low.
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The circulatory system is the body’s transportation superhighway. As the blood circulates through the body, it brings oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and picks up the waste products, delivering them to the kidneys and lungs to be expelled. The heart is the pump of this closed-circuit system.
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Most people associate abnormal calcium levels with bone problems such as osteoporosis, but in fact, calcium functions in a wide variety of very important capacities within the human body.
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Whether you are on the go or trying to lose weight quickly, skipping meals can seem like an easy or necessary way to meet your deadline or shed some pounds. However, you can experience adverse side effects to skipping meals, due to a decrease in your blood sugar levels.
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High blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, can be deleterious, especially if they are present on a regular basis. Large amounts of sugar circulating in your blood can damage the delicate blood vessels in your eyes, brain, kidneys and heart.
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Sugar-free cereals are a perfect breakfast choice if you suffer from diabetes. They are also a great choice if you are on a low-carb or no-carb diet, or if you simply want to choose healthier options for your first meal.
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Acne is a common but complex, inflammatory skin disorder that affects at least 50 million American adults and adolescents, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Potassium is an essential nutrient that plays a role in regulation of heart rate, muscle contractions and digestion of food. Too many or too few infection-fighting white blood cells, according to Medline Plus, can indicate the presence of infection as well as other health conditions.
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The balance of electrolytes in the body is maintained by a function called homeostasis. Homeostasis is the body's ability to adjust and maintain normal functioning despite constant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, electrolytes, hormones, and countless other frequently changing physiological dynamics.
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When you have diabetes, you are careful to avoid sugar and sweet foods to better control blood sugar levels. However, if you have a craving for sweets, it can sometimes be hard to resist a sugary indulgence. Artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and Equal are alternatives to real sugar.
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When a person has diabetes, infection is cause for concern. Even everyday infections such as the common cold can cause blood glucose levels to increase. Infection is a challenge that requires careful blood glucose monitoring and proper medical care.
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Red blood cells are used by the blood to transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. These cells die every 120 days, and new cells are made to replace them. Without this constant cycle of cellular birth and rebirth, our tissues, bones and organs would not get adequate oxygen and would begin to deteriorate.
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Iron is an essential mineral contained in your red blood cells and is what allows them to carry oxygen to every cell in your body, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Iron is also stored in your liver, muscles and bone marrow. Iron deficiency is a typical cause of anemia.
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When blood tests reveal you have a higher than normal number of white blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, this is known medically as leukocytosis. White blood cell counts usually fall between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter.
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Platelets are a component of the blood that help prevent bruising or stop bleeding. If you do not have enough platelets in your blood, you may need to have a blood platelet transfusion. This treatment infuses your body with blood platelets that have been donated by another healthy person.
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Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health concerns in our nation. In 2010, an estimated 18.8 million Americans were diagnosed with diabetes and another 7 million were considered "prediabetic," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The carbohydrates in honeydew, a type of melon, will elevate your blood sugar levels. As a general rule, any food or drink that contains more than 5 grams of carbohydrate per serving will affect your blood glucose. A serving of honeydew contains about 15 grams of carbohydrate.
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