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 James McNabb, M.D., C.N. |
Good Reasons to Donate Blood
The need for blood donors is great. But there are more reasons for giving blood than meeting a need in your community. Donating blood makes you feel good about yourself and there are health reasons for giving blood that you may not be familiar with.
Pumping Iron
It is iron's ability to give and receive oxygen that gives hemoglobin its function in blood. As much as we need iron, too much iron in the body is even worse. Iron is by nature an oxidant, and as such, can literally cause the tissues to rust; causing immense damage is whichever organ system it’s in. Iron also serves as a crucial coenzyme for DNA replication. Thus rapidly growing cells, whether they are intestinal cells, cancer cells, or bacteria and viruses, all need high needs for iron. One of the body’s defense mechanisms is for the liver to make lactoferrin, a protein that binds iron, thereby removing it from the general circulation in times of infection. Breast milk has four times less iron than cows milk, resulting in fewer infections in breast fed infants. (Another advantage for breast-feeding!)
Menstruation and Iron Loss
It has been known for a long time that menstruating women have much lower rates of cardiovascular disease. The standard reason offered has been that female hormones protect women against heart disease. There is much evidence to support this. An equally compelling theory, however, is that this is due to lower iron levels, due to losses of iron and blood from menstruation.
Too Much of a Good Thing
In the time of the Patriarchs, life was more difficult. Between injuries and parasites, blood loss was common and iron levels were kept normal. Today we lead more pampered lives. Our bodies have not developed natural ways to rid itself of excess iron. Our iron stores continue to build through out our lives. It is now relatively easy to build up iron levels that are dangerously high.
Health Benefit of Giving Blood
Yet, we have a wonderful way before us to get rid of excess iron. Give blood once a year. You will not only feel good about helping others, but you will feel good about helping your own health, since you will likely have fewer infections as a result.
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Optimum Nutrition: Nutrition Information and Nutritional Products from Physician-Nutrition.com