What Vitamins Are Good For Low Platelet Count?
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are cells which are vital for coagulation, i.e. blood’s ability to clot. While a low platelet count, i.e. thrombocytopenia, can result from a variety of conditions, various vitamins can help to prevent and treat this condition. Knowing what vitamins are good for low platelet count can help in planning an appropriate diet and lifestyle schedule.
Vitamins good for low platelet count are:
Vitamin C
One of the most important vitamins that are good for low platelet count is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, promotes the production and maintenance of the tissues of the body. Further, this vitamin is also known to have many immune-boosting properties. A study conducted in Japan in 2007, found that the use of ascorbic acid supplements effectively helps in treating chronically low platelet counts. By having vitamin C supplements or consuming vitamin C rich foods, like citrus fruits, one can greatly increase their platelet count.
Vitamin D
Like vitamin C, vitamin D too plays an important role in the development of healthy bones and proper maintenance and repair of immune cells. While vitamin D is one of the vitamins that are good for low platelet count, vitamin D supplementation would only be effective if the low platelet count is caused by a vitamin D deficiency. However, any excesses of vitamin D must be avoided, hence, it is best taken with medical advice. Along with the supplements, one can also get good amount of Vitamin D from fortified milk and exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin B12
Deficiency of vitamin B12 is one of the commonest symptoms of low platelet count. Vitamin B 12 is hence, one of the other important vitamins good for low platelet count. However, vitamin B12 supplements can help to increase the platelet count only if the low platelet count is related to its deficiency. Supplements and foods rich in vitamin B12, like eggs, fish, and dairy products, effectively boost the platelet count and can be taken as a part of the normal diet. So people suffering from thrombocytopenia should have more of these to naturally boost their platelet count. However, since excessive vitamin B12 can have negative effects on the blood’s ability to clot, it is worth seeking medical opinion.
Vitamin B9
Another essential nutrient in the list of vitamins that are good for platelets is vitamin B9. A synthetic form of vitamin B; folic acid or vitamin B9 is found in foods like carrot, green leafy vegetables, apricot, beans, quince, kiwi, orange, grapefruit juice, strawberry, egg yolks and liver. This is a water-soluble vitamin required for multiple body functions like DNA repair and rapid cell division and growth. It is essential for proper production of red blood cells in the bone marrow and its insufficiency can cause delayed development of red blood cells, or anemia, and thrombocytopenia. However, people having low level of vitamin B12 in their body can develop anemia and cognitive impairment if they take high doses of folic acid.
Vitamin K
Even though vitamin K does not directly influence the platelet count, it is essential for the blood’s ability to clot. The name “vitamin K” originates from the German “Koagulationsvitamin,” which itself highlights the role of this vitamin in the coagulation of blood. Vitamin K is widely used to treat low platelet disorders. It requires a special mention in the knowing what vitamins are good for low platelet count. It can help to decrease the risk of excessive bleeding due to a low platelet count, and thereby increase the chances of being effectively treated for and recover from this condition. This vitamin is found in abundance in foods like broccoli, liver, and asparagus.
Final Take
Platelets are blood cells that are mainly responsible for blood clotting. The presence of folic acid (B9), vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin K in the body is very vital for the healthy functioning of the platelets as well as the overall body. Further, knowing what vitamins are good for low platelet count help in diet and treatment plan, as appropriate. Before low platelet count has any unpleasant effects on the body, it is always better to manage it in time. By taking a regular diet rich in these vitamins, and having their supplements regularly, one can conquer the problem of thrombocytopenia effectively. However, despite the ability of few vitamins to raise the platelet count, one should not use these vitamin supplements without medical advice.
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