I am Scared to Donate Blood before, Until I learned these 5 Things about Blood Donation that Will Amaze Us
I have low pain tolerance. That is why I don’t like to have any piercing or tattoos. Medical Examinations and Annual Physical Examinations where they must extract blood does not excite me. Then it is not a surprise that I also have not attempted to donate blood until last year. I was afraid to donate blood before that, but when I learned the health benefits of donating blood, I decided that it is about time to consider.
Aside from the obvious health benefits the recipients who receive blood transfusions get, blood donors too, can reap these benefits:
Burns Calories
This is one health benefit that we will least expect. Through blood donation, a person can burn approximately 650 calories per donation of one pint of blood, according to the University of California, San Diego. A donor who regularly donates blood can lose a significant amount of weight. But don't use this blood donation as a weight loss program (I know what you are thinking... 😉😉😉). At least 110 pounds is required to be a blood donor and maintain healthy iron levels in the body.
Provides A Free Blood Analysis
Upon donation, you are asked about your medical background. You can also use this opportunity if you want to get tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases, although the test result of course will be confidential. Testing indicates whether or not you are eligible to donate based on what is found in your bloodstream. The organization also notes that a sample of your blood may be used now or in the future for additional tests and other medical research with your consent.
It Preserves Cardiovascular Health
Blood viscosity (how thick or runny your blood is) is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, says the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. How much friction your blood creates through the blood vessels (which can be attributed to the viscosity of your blood) determine how much damage is done to the lining your arteries. Donating blood on a regular basis can reduce the viscosity of the blood.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), it was found that participants, ages 43 to 61, had fewer heart attacks and strokes when they donated blood every six months. In a study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found in a sample size of 2,682 men, those who donated blood a minimum of once a year had an 88 percent lower risk of heart attacks than those who did not donate.
Through blood donation, oxidative iron are removed from the body, which means less iron oxidation and reduced cardiovascular diseases.
Aside from the obvious health benefits the recipients who receive blood transfusions get, blood donors too, can reap these benefits:
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Every second, someone needs blood. A single blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
But apart from helping others, regular blood donors also receive health benefits in return.
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This is one health benefit that we will least expect. Through blood donation, a person can burn approximately 650 calories per donation of one pint of blood, according to the University of California, San Diego. A donor who regularly donates blood can lose a significant amount of weight. But don't use this blood donation as a weight loss program (I know what you are thinking... 😉😉😉). At least 110 pounds is required to be a blood donor and maintain healthy iron levels in the body.
Provides A Free Blood Analysis
Upon donation, you are asked about your medical background. You can also use this opportunity if you want to get tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases, although the test result of course will be confidential. Testing indicates whether or not you are eligible to donate based on what is found in your bloodstream. The organization also notes that a sample of your blood may be used now or in the future for additional tests and other medical research with your consent.
It Maintains the Balance of Iron Levels in Our Body
Iron is a mineral necessary to produce red blood cells. Healthy adults usually have about 5 grams of iron in their bodies, and it is found mostly in our blood (red blood cells), and in bone marrow. When you donate a unit of blood, you lose about a quarter of a gram of iron, which you can replenish from the food you eat. you don't need more iron in your body, and regulation of iron levels thru blood donation is a good thing, because having too much iron could be bad news for your blood vessels, and can be harmful to a person's health. It can deposit into different organs of the body, such as the liver and heart, and affect the way those organs function.
In cases when a person has low iron (person with iron deficiency anemia) and still want to be a donor, taking an oral iron supplement may help to requalify.
Iron is a mineral necessary to produce red blood cells. Healthy adults usually have about 5 grams of iron in their bodies, and it is found mostly in our blood (red blood cells), and in bone marrow. When you donate a unit of blood, you lose about a quarter of a gram of iron, which you can replenish from the food you eat. you don't need more iron in your body, and regulation of iron levels thru blood donation is a good thing, because having too much iron could be bad news for your blood vessels, and can be harmful to a person's health. It can deposit into different organs of the body, such as the liver and heart, and affect the way those organs function.
In cases when a person has low iron (person with iron deficiency anemia) and still want to be a donor, taking an oral iron supplement may help to requalify.
It Preserves Cardiovascular Health
Blood viscosity (how thick or runny your blood is) is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, says the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. How much friction your blood creates through the blood vessels (which can be attributed to the viscosity of your blood) determine how much damage is done to the lining your arteries. Donating blood on a regular basis can reduce the viscosity of the blood.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), it was found that participants, ages 43 to 61, had fewer heart attacks and strokes when they donated blood every six months. In a study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found in a sample size of 2,682 men, those who donated blood a minimum of once a year had an 88 percent lower risk of heart attacks than those who did not donate.
Through blood donation, oxidative iron are removed from the body, which means less iron oxidation and reduced cardiovascular diseases.
Reduces The Risk of Cancer
The reduction of iron stores in the body while giving blood can reduce the risk of cancer. Iron has been thought of to increase oxidative damage in the body and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and aging, says a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Researchers followed 1,200 people split into groups of two over the course of 4 ½ years. One group reduced their iron stores by blood donations twice a year, whereas the other group did not make any changes. The results of the study showed that the group of blood donors had lower iron levels, and a lower risk of cancer and mortality.
The Miller-Keystone Blood Center says that the consistent blood donations of a person can be associated with lower risks of cancers including liver, lung, colon, and throat cancers due to the reduction in oxidative stress when iron is released from the bloodstream.
How much and how often?
If you want to donate on a regular basis, it is prescribed you donate every three (3) months, typical amount that they extract is about 450 ml. This is to ensure that you've had enough time to replenish the red cells from your last donation.
The body replaces lost blood volume within 48 hours after donating blood; the replenishment of red blood cells takes a little more time.
With all of these, does the health benefits you will gain from donating blood worth it? Of course. Honestly, I am still terrified and still feel nervous, but, far and above the health benefits that we will get from donating blood, the feeling that the blood you donated will be able to save lives, probably yours, your relative, or someone you don’t even know, makes it worthwhile.
Additionally, the positive feelings associated with blood donation have been shown to improve both emotional and physical health.
The reduction of iron stores in the body while giving blood can reduce the risk of cancer. Iron has been thought of to increase oxidative damage in the body and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and aging, says a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Researchers followed 1,200 people split into groups of two over the course of 4 ½ years. One group reduced their iron stores by blood donations twice a year, whereas the other group did not make any changes. The results of the study showed that the group of blood donors had lower iron levels, and a lower risk of cancer and mortality.
The Miller-Keystone Blood Center says that the consistent blood donations of a person can be associated with lower risks of cancers including liver, lung, colon, and throat cancers due to the reduction in oxidative stress when iron is released from the bloodstream.
How much and how often?
If you want to donate on a regular basis, it is prescribed you donate every three (3) months, typical amount that they extract is about 450 ml. This is to ensure that you've had enough time to replenish the red cells from your last donation.
The body replaces lost blood volume within 48 hours after donating blood; the replenishment of red blood cells takes a little more time.
With all of these, does the health benefits you will gain from donating blood worth it? Of course. Honestly, I am still terrified and still feel nervous, but, far and above the health benefits that we will get from donating blood, the feeling that the blood you donated will be able to save lives, probably yours, your relative, or someone you don’t even know, makes it worthwhile.
Additionally, the positive feelings associated with blood donation have been shown to improve both emotional and physical health.
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