How to Increase Low Platelet Count Naturally

Platelets are the smallest of the three main types of blood cells. The other two are Red Blood Cells and White Blood Cells. They are the smallest of these cells. The main function of platelets is to prevent blood loss from the body. They play a major role in the body’s blood clot function after an injury. 

The normal range of platelets in the body is between 150,000 and 450,000. Deviating from this range is a medical condition and needs treatment. Thrombocytosis (having too many platelets) is usually caused by few chronic diseases like inflammation, infection, anemia, or cancer.

Platelets count less than 150,000 is known as thrombocytopenia. This can be caused by few medications, diseases (few cancers, dengue, etc.), chemotherapy, kidney problems, etc. As platelets perform a very important function in the body, so its deficiency can be dangerous and fatal. 

Symptoms of low platelet count include prolonged bleeding from wounds, bleeding from the nose, gums, blood in urine and stools, bloody vomiting, etc. We can decrease this situation by adopting few natural ways and making lifestyle changes. 

How to Increase Platelet Count Naturally

Following are important natural ways to increase low platelet count in the body.

B Vitamins

At least two of the B Vitamins play a substantial role in the formation of platelet cells. It is the reason that few of the cases of thrombocytopenia are the result of low levels of Vitamin B12 and B9 (commonly known as folate or folic acid). Therefore, it is important to keep healthy levels of B9 and B12 in the body [1].

Vitamin B12 is present in almost all animal foods. Folate is present in high amounts in animal livers, seeds (sunflower seeds), legumes (peanuts, chickpeas), and green leafy vegetables (asparagus, spinach, lettuce, etc.).

Iron

In the case of iron-deficiency anemia, the numbers of platelets either increase or remain normal. But on few occasions, their number may decrease considerably. A study shows that patients with such type of thrombocytopenia can get improvement within few weeks with the administration of iron therapy. The permanent solution for this condition is eating iron-rich foods in the diet. These include livers, meat, green leafy vegetables, etc. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in increasing platelet count and improve its functions in the body. Its benefits are direct as well as indirect. It indirectly assists by absorbing non-heme iron (present in plant foods) in the body. 

Vitamin C can increase platelet count directly and indirectly

The direct impact of Vitamin C has been established through a study on patients with coronary artery disease. A high-fat diet was the major cause of platelet adhesiveness and aggregation in these patients. Vitamin C added to fatty meal decrease this abnormality of platelet function and can prevent platelet aggregation.

Vitamin D

Another vitamin whose effectiveness against low platelet count has been established is Vitamin D. A study in 2013 proved that deficiency in Vitamin D can cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). These patients can be treated with high doses of Vitamin D supplementation. 

It proves that you can prevent and treat low platelet count by obtaining a high amount of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is present in animal fats (fatty fish, egg yolk, etc.) and can be synthesized by UV rays of the sun on the skin.

Vitamin K

The impact of Vitamin K on blood clotting is well established. It is also the primary function of platelets. Therefore, there is a natural bonding between platelet cells and Vitamin K. This vitamin plays its part by binding the blood-clotting proteins with platelets. This is a necessary function during the blood clotting process in the body.

Therefore, it is necessary to eat a healthy amount of Vitamin K in your daily diet. It is present in abundance in green leafy vegetables and several animal foods.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Its main function is to induce sleep by balancing the sleep-wake cycle. But now melatonin has been proved effective in few conditions related to low platelet count. It has been found that human platelet cells are sensitive to melatonin. 

Therefore, an increase in melatonin also increases platelet cell count in the blood. Taking melatonin by mouth also increases platelet count when platelet cells are low during cancer or several other conditions. This method can also increase platelet count during chemotherapy naturally.