7 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.

2. Increase Vitamin C Intake

It is important to have a combination of both iron and vitamin C as the latter is a carrier
rich molecule that can be used for better absorption of iron, says Dr. Anju Sood,
Bangalore-based Nutritionist. Eat foods rich in vitamin C such as oranges,
lemon, strawberries, papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, grapefruit and tomatoes.

3. Increase Folic Acid Intake

Folic acid, a B-complex vitamin, is required to make red blood cells and a folic acid
deficiency automatically leads to a low level of hemoglobin, says Dr. Ahuja, Fortis
Hospital. Some good food sources of folic acid are green leafy vegetables, sprouts, dried
beans, wheat germ, peanuts, bananas, broccoli and chicken liver. Beetroot is also highly
recommended to increase the bodys red blood cell count as it is high in folic acid as well
as iron, potassium and fiber, says Nutritionist and Dietician Sheela Krishnaswamy.

4. An Apple (or Pomegranate) a Day Keeps The Doctor Away

An apple a day can help maintain a normal level of hemoglobin, since apples are rich in
iron plus other health-friendly components that are required for a healthy hemoglobin
count. You can either eat 1 apple a day, or drink juice made with cup each of apple and
beetroot juice twice a day. Add a dash of ginger or lemon juice for extra flavour.
Pomegranate is also rich in iron, calcium, fiber and protein. Its nutritional value can help
increase hemoglobin and promote healthy blood flow, says Dr. Jaibharat.
5. Drink Nettle Tea
Nettle is a herb that is a good source of B vitamins, iron, vitamin C and can play a key
role in raising your hemoglobin level, says Dr. Adarsh Kumar, Internal Medicine,
National Heart Institute. All you need to do, is add 2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaves to a
cup of hot water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Then strain, and add a little honey.
Drink this twice daily.

6. Avoid Iron Blockers

Avoid eating foods that can block your bodys ability to absorb iron, especially if you
have a low hemoglobin count i.e. coffee, tea, cola drinks, wine, beer, etc.

7. Exercise
Moderate to high intensity workouts are highly recommended, because when
you exercise - your body produces more hemoglobin to meet the increasing demand for
oxygen throughout the body.

How to Lower Creatinine Levels Naturally

To determine the health of the kidneys, certain tests may be ordered including a
comprehensive metabolic panel. The test measures the function of your organs such as
the kidneys by screening for creatinine in the blood. The doctor may also recommend a
creatinine clearance test to measure creatinine levels in the urine. Its normal for
creatinine to be low in the blood, but high in the urine. However, this only measures
creatinine levels from the past 24 hours.

Many people with kidney problems use dialysis, which is an artificial elimination of
waste and unwanted water from the blood. Dialysis is used when the kidneys are
damaged and can no longer function properly. The following is how to lower creatinine
level without dialysis.

1. Avoid Strenuous Physical Activity

Continuous exercise can lead to high creatinine levels, and eventually kidney disease.
Avoiding over-exercising reduces how much creatine your body breaks down into
creatinine.
2. Avoid Creatine-Containing Supplements

Creatine is a supplement often used by athletes to increase performance, as it generates

cellular energy for muscle contractions. Since creatinine is a byproduct of creatine, it
follows that creatine supplements will increase a persons creatinine levels and therefore
should be avoided, especially if they already have a high creatinine level. Creatine
monohydrate is only recommended for high-level athletes for a three- to six-month
period.

3. Limit Vanadium Consumption

Vanadium is a mineral found in many multi mineral and vitamin supplements, and its
mostly recommended for diabetes and blood sugar issues, however, excessive vanadium
is also associated with higher creatinine levels in the blood.

4. Take Chitosan

Chitosan is considered a helpful nutrient for weight management, but it can also reduce
creatinine levels in kidney disease patients. A study published in the Journal of Pharmacy
and Pharmacology in 1997 suggests that chitosan may be effective for kidney failure
patients.

5. Use Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is also great for anyone with kidney disease. Not only does it lower
creatinine levels, but it helps improve kidney function and provides energy. It also
neutralizes toxins to prevent them from damaging the kidneys.

Diet to Lower Creatinine Levels

What is the best diet for elevated creatinine? There various factors in a diet to lower
creatinine levels, as certain foods will lower creatinine levels and others will increase
them. Foods high in creatine are converted to creatinine, so its recommended to limit
your animal protein intake since creatine is found in meat. A plant-based or vegetarian
diet is further recommended, to reduce kidney disease risk factors such as high blood
pressure or diabetes. Heres how to lower creatinine levels through diet:

Foods to Eat

Vegetables such as cucumbers or bitter gourds

Foods rich in vitamin C such as berries, lemon juice, parsley, and cauliflower
 Fresh and organic fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies

When youre eating meat, it should be lean, organic, grass-fed, and free-range

Foods to Avoid or Limit

The kidneys may have a difficult time processing certain nutrients, especially if you have
elevated creatinine levels.

High-sodium foods such as processed foods with added salt

High-potassium foods such as bananas, spinach, celery, and broccoli

High-phosphorus foods such as pumpkin, fish, squash, nuts, pork, soybeans,

shellfish, and cheese and other dairy products

Diet to Lower Creatine Levels

Foods to Eat Foods to Avoid or Limit

Certain vegetables such as Limit sodium-rich foods, and stay

cucumbers and bitter gourds away from salty drinks and foods
such as canned soups or sauces

Eat foods rich in vitamin C Avoid phosphorus-rich foods such

such as berries, parsley, as squash, pumpkin, shellfish, fish,
cauliflower, lemon juice, dairy products, pork, nuts, and
and grapefruit soybeans

Eat and drink fresh and Limit potassium-rich foods such as

organic smoothies and spinach, potatoes, beans, and
juices with vegetables and bananas
fruit

Eat grass-fed, free-range, Limit protein-rich foods such as red

organic, and lean meats meat and dairy products
when eating protein
Increase your water intake Avoid creatine supplements
to eight to 10 glasses of
water (eight ounces each) daily

Herbs to Lower Creatinine Levels

Want to know how to lower creatinine levels with herbs? The following are herbs (and
one spice) to lower creatinine levels in blood naturally:

Stinging nettle: Stinging nettle contains diuretic properties that help remove
metabolic waste products. The herb will also purify the blood and boost the
immune system.

Salvia: Salvia may increase glomerular filtration rate. This helps facilitate
creatinine elimination. The lithospermate B in salvia will also promote kidney
function.

Chamomile tea: Studies have found that chamomile tea can lower creatinine
levels. To make the tea, steep two to three teaspoons of chamomile flowers in hot
water for five minutes.

Cinnamon: While not a herb, cinnamon is a good spice that can lower serum
creatinine and improve kidney problems by promoting kidney filtration. Cinnamon
can also prevent further kidney damage by regulating blood sugar levels.

Dandelion root: Dandelion root is another natural diuretic that flushes out toxins
and reduces creatinine levels. To make a dandelion root tea, steep a tablespoon of
the herb in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes.

Siberian ginseng: The eleutheroside compounds in Siberian ginseng are thought

to effectively rid the body of excess creatinine by promoting kidney circulation.

Astragalus: In traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is used to slow the

development of chronic kidney disease. It contains a diuretic compound called
asparagine that reduces creatinine levels and eliminates fluid in the kidneys.
Making Lifestyle Changes

There are also certain changes you can make to your life that can help lower serum
creatinine. Here is how to lower creatinine levels in urine with lifestyle changes:

Increase fluid intake: Dehydration can also increase creatinine levels. When there
is less fluid in the body, there is less urine. This makes it difficult to remove
creatinine from the body. Its a good idea to drink between eight to 10 glasses of
water (eight ounces each) daily.

Restrict activity level and reduce stress: The body converts food into energy
more quickly after intense exercise, and as a result, more creatinine forms in the
blood. But exercise is still important and shouldnt be eliminated altogether.
Instead, replace vigorous workouts with yoga, tai chi, or walking.

Get enough sleep: Sleep deprivation can put stress on the kidneys, and as a result,
the kidneys are unable to effectively filter creatinine from the body. Good, restful
sleep slows down the bodys processes, including metabolism, so creatine will
convert to creatinine slowly, which in turn allows creatinine to filter out of the
body before it can build up. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Gout diet: What's allowed, what's not
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Definition
Gout, a painful form of arthritis, occurs when high levels of uric acid in the blood cause
crystals to form and accumulate around a joint.
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down a chemical called purine. Purine
occurs naturally in your body, but it's also found in certain foods. Uric acid is eliminated
from the body in urine.
A gout diet may help decrease uric acid levels in the blood. While a gout diet is not a
cure, it may lower the risk of recurring painful gout attacks and slow the progression of
joint damage. Medication also is needed to manage pain and to lower levels of uric acid.

Purpose

A little history
Gout has been associated for centuries with overindulgence in meats, seafood and
alcohol. The condition was, in fact, considered a disease of the wealthiest people those
who could afford such eating habits. And long before the cause of gout was understood,
doctors had observed some benefit of a restricted diet on gout management.
For many years, treatment for gout focused on eliminating all foods that had moderate to
high amounts of purine. The list of foods to avoid was long, which made the diet difficult
to follow.

Current understanding
More recent research on gout has created a clearer picture of the role of diet in disease
management. Some foods should be avoided, but not all foods with purines should be
eliminated. And some foods should be included in your diet to control uric acid levels.
The purpose of a gout diet today is to address all factors related to disease risk and
management. Above all, the goals are a healthy weight and healthy eating a message
that applies to lowering the risk of many diseases.

Diet details
The general principles of a gout diet are essentially the same as recommendations for a
balanced, healthy diet:
Weight loss. Being overweight increases the risk of developing gout, and losing
weight lowers the risk of gout. Research suggests that reducing the number of
calories and losing weight even without a purine-restricted diet lowers uric acid
levels and reduces the number of gout attacks. Losing weight also lessens the overall
stress on joints.
Complex carbs. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which provide
complex carbohydrates. Avoid foods such as white bread, cakes, candy, sugar-
sweetened beverages and products with high-fructose corn syrup.
 Water. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water. An increase in water consumption
has been linked to fewer gout attacks. Aim for eight to 16 glasses of fluids a day with
at least half of that as water. A glass is 8 ounces (237 milliliters). Talk to your doctor
about appropriate fluid intake goals for you.
Fats. Cut back on saturated fats from red meats, fatty poultry and high-fat dairy
products.
Proteins. Limit daily proteins from lean meat, fish and poultry to 4 to 6 ounces (113
to 170 grams). Add protein to your diet with low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such
as low-fat yogurt or skim milk, which are associated with reduced uric acid levels.
Recommendations for specific foods or supplements include the following:
High-purine vegetables. Studies have shown that vegetables high in purines do not
increase the risk of gout or recurring gout attacks. A healthy diet based on lots of
fruits and vegetables can include high-purine vegetables, such as asparagus, spinach,
peas, cauliflower or mushrooms. You can also eat beans or lentils, which are
moderately high in purines but are also a good source of protein.
Organ and glandular meats. Avoid meats such as liver, kidney and sweetbreads,
which have high purine levels and contribute to high blood levels of uric acid.
Selected seafood. Avoid the following types of seafood, which are higher in purines
than others: anchovies, herring, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, haddock, mackerel
and tuna.
Alcohol. The metabolism of alcohol in your body is thought to increase uric acid
production, and alcohol contributes to dehydration. Beer is associated with an
increased risk of gout and recurring attacks, as are distilled liquors to some extent.
The effect of wine is not as well-understood. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor
about what is appropriate for you.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels. Talk to your doctor about
whether a 500-milligram vitamin C supplement fits into your diet and medication
plan.
Coffee. Some research suggests that moderate coffee consumption may be associated
with a reduced risk of gout, particularly with regular caffeinated coffee. Drinking
coffee may not be appropriate for other medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about
how much coffee is right for you.
Cherries. There is some evidence that eating cherries is associated with a reduced
risk of gout attacks.
A sample menu
Here's a look at what you might eat during a typical day on a gout diet:
Breakfast
Whole-grain, unsweetened cereal with skim or low-fat milk
1 cup fresh strawberries
Coffee
Water
Lunch
Roasted chicken breast slices (2 ounces) on a whole-grain roll with mustard
 Mixed green salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing
Skim or low-fat milk
Water
Afternoon snack
1 cup fresh cherries
Water
Dinner
Roasted salmon (3-4 ounces)
Roasted or steamed green beans
1/2 cup whole-grain pasta with olive oil and lemon pepper
Water
Low-fat yogurt
1 cup fresh melon
Caffeine-free beverage, such as herbal tea