The protein found in red blood cells called hemoglobin is in charge of carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues. Hemoglobin is transported by red blood cells throughout the body. A muscle cell’s myoglobin, on the other hand, takes in, stores, transports, and releases oxygen. A low hemoglobin level could indicate a number of health conditions, including anemia. Anemia develops when there are not enough red blood cells or the red blood cells’ functions are compromised. Low hemoglobin levels indicate that your body is not getting enough oxygen, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness.

Males and females have varied normal hemoglobin levels; the range for males is between 14.0 and 18gm/dl whereas the range for females is between 12.3gm/dl and 16gm/dl. Although there are several variables that might cause low hemoglobin levels, consuming meals high in vitamins can assist to keep your red blood cells healthy. It’s crucial to remember that while a balanced diet can help, you cannot treat low hemoglobin levels on your own at home.

Causes of low hemoglobin levels

Lack of some essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12 and B9 can affect your hemoglobin level.
Sometimes when it becomes difficult for the body to absorb iron these can affect the development of red blood cell in the body.
Having an injury that leads to serious bleeding can lead to reduction of iron. For women, monthly period can cause loss of blood that can lead to anemia. Internal bleeding from ulcers too.
When the cell in your body is dying faster than you can replace them, even when your body is producing enough red blood cells this can affect hemoglobin production.
When the body is not able to produce enough red blood cell. Sometimes, some diseases prevent the bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells.

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

Dizziness.
Weakness.
Headache.
Palpitation (irregular heart beat).
Cold hands and feet.
Chest pain.
Pale or yellow skin.
Shortness of breath.

Natural ways to increase hemoglobin level

One of the first kind of foods you should be eating when you notice a low hemoglobin level are as follows;

Liver and organ meat.

Cabbage and broccoli.

Tofu.

Kale and spinach.

Beef.

Green beans, beans and lentils.

Fortified cereals.

2. Eat healthy fat: avocado and certain nuts such as peanut are a source of healthy fats that can add folate t your diet. Folate are known as vitamin B that help the body produce heme, which can help to produce hemoglobin in the red blood cell. Lack of folate decrease hemoglobin level. Other sources of folate are spinach, beef, lettuce, rice, kidney beans all help red blood cell to mature properly.

3. Eat vitamin-rich foods: fruits such as citrus, strawberries, dark leafy green are all packed with high level of vitamin C. vitamin C help the body absorb more iron especially when on iron supplements. Other source of vitamin are carrot, sweet potatoes and mangoes, they are known to help the body produce vitamin A which aid with the absorption of iron. Vitamin A can be found in fish and liver.

4. Drink beetroot: beetroot contains nutrients that are rich in vitamins and magnesium. The magnesium helps metabolic enzyme to function properly while the vitamins increase iron absorption. Beetroot juice helps to repair and boost oxygen absorption by the red blood cells.

5. Pumpkin: pumpkin contains antioxidant properties and minerals that can improve our entire well-being. Pumpkin seed are packed with iron. You can toast the seeds make a smoothie with them.

Food to avoid when increasing hemoglobin levels

Reduce diary intake as high intake of diary products can affect how your iron supplement might work and these can also affect iron absorption in the body. Food high in calcium and other foods such as;