Platelets (thrombocytes) are small blood cells that help with blood clotting and repair of a damaged blood vessel wall. With thrombocytopenia you have too few platelets in your blood. Not only medicines can do something about this! You can also help increase the level of your platelets by eating (or not eating) specific foods.
- What are platelets?
- Thrombocytopenia: too few platelets
- Causes of thrombocytopenia
- Diet can help increase the number of platelets!
- Which foods inhibit platelet production?
- Which foods stimulate the production of platelets?
- Some final tips to increase your platelet levels
What are platelets?
Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are very small cells made by your bone marrow.
Platelets in brief:
- Name: thrombocytes (platelets)
- Discovered: in 1841, by George Gulliver.
- Shape: round, notches like a lens (biconvex)
- Diameter: 2-3 µm (that’s about 20% of the diameter of a red blood cell)
- Do they have a cell nucleus: no
- Function: help prevent blood loss
- Found in: mammals
- Normal number of platelets in a liter of blood: 150-450 billion
- Lifespan: 8-10 days
- Production: in the bone marrow, from the precursor cell ‘megakaryocyte’.
- Degradation: in the spleen, liver and lungs
Source: Blausen.com staff, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)
The prevention of blood loss is controlled because platelets stick to the damaged blood vessel wall. They also stick together, creating a plug that closes the hole. The plug is strengthened by means of threads made from fibrin, a fibrous substance. The platelets therefore help to close the hole in the blood vessel wall, preventing blood loss. If the damaged blood vessel is on the skin surface, the platelets help create the scab on the wound.
Thrombocytopenia: too few platelets
When you have too few platelets in your blood, this is called thrombocytopenia. A normal amount of platelets in a liter of blood is approximately 150-450 billion. Someone with thrombocytopenia has fewer than 50 billion platelets in a liter of his or her blood.
Causes of thrombocytopenia
There are three types of causes of thrombocytopenia:
- Decreased production of platelets
- Increased use of platelets
- The capture of platelets by organs such as the spleen
Of course, a combination of these three can also cause a reduced number of platelets.
Decreased production of platelets
There are a lot of reasons why your body may produce fewer platelets. Examples are a vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. There are also a number of diseases that can cause this, such as leukemia, liver failure, a virus or bacterial infection, etc. There are also a number of hereditary diseases such as TAR syndrome that can cause reduced platelet production.
Increased use of platelets
Increased use of platelets can occur in response to medications such as valproate and chemotherapeutic agents. Sometimes immunological responses are stimulated, causing antibodies to bind to the platelets and activate them.
The spleen (in English: spleen) breaks down old platelets. / Source: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons (PD)
There are also a number of diseases that can stimulate platelet use, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Capture of platelets by organs such as the spleen
Normally the spleen breaks down platelets that are too old (and no longer active). Sometimes the spleen can break down platelets that are still active. An enlarged spleen may indicate that the spleen is retaining platelets. Thus, thrombocytopenia may be a consequence of the condition that causes the enlarged spleen, such as myelofibrosis or Gaucher disease. If there is also evidence of poor kidney function, the diagnosis of hemolytic-uremic syndrome is often made.
Diet can help increase the number of platelets!
Not only medicines, but also nutrition can contribute to increasing the number of platelets in your blood. Everyone knows that healthy and varied eating is important. But, there are also foods that can inhibit or stimulate the production of platelets! By paying attention to your diet, in addition to taking your medication, you can do something to increase the number of platelets in your blood!
In general, of course, eat enough fruit and vegetables and try to eat no or as little junk food and processed foods as possible.
Which foods inhibit platelet production?
There are several foods that inhibit the production of platelets in the bone marrow. It is better to avoid the following products if you have too few platelets in your blood:
Alcohol
It is better to cut down on alcohol, because it inhibits the productivity of your bone marrow. Since your platelets are made in your bone marrow, this is detrimental.
Sugar
Sugar can increase the adhesion of platelets to each other. As a result, they are more likely to form (blood) clots and there are therefore fewer platelets in your blood that can be effective.
Dairy
Eat less (or stop) dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt. Dairy can reduce the number of platelets in your blood. This especially happens if you are (mildly) allergic to dairy.
Other foods that inhibit platelet production
It is better to avoid foods containing quinine (reduces the number of blood platelets and is found in tonic water, bitter lemon, bitter melon) and aspartame (in diet soft drinks, and in sugar-free or low-fat sweets and pastries).
Eating less blood-thinning foods
Blood thinners make platelets less likely to stick together. This means wounds can heal more slowly and your blood will clot less quickly. So if you already have a low platelet count, it is better to eat the following foods less often: onions, blueberries, ginseng root, raisins and large amounts of fish oil.
Which foods stimulate the production of platelets?
Platelets work with vitamin K and calcium to form blood clots to repair damage. If you have a deficiency of (one of) these two, the platelets in your blood can decrease.
Vitamin K from leafy vegetables: cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, etc.
The leafy vegetables above contain a lot of vitamin K, which will help increase the level of your platelets. Kale is also said to reduce the sticking of platelets together, making them more effective when needed.
Even more sources for vitamin K
Other foods packed with vitamin K include black pepper, tomatoes, asparagus, dried basil, strawberries, celery, kidney beans, carrots and pomegranate.
Oysters
Zinc is also said to contribute to the levels of platelets and other blood cells in the body. Zinc also stimulates the immune system. Oysters contain a lot of zinc. Don’t like oysters that much? Other sources of zinc include meat, grain products, nuts and other seafood.
Oysters contain a lot of zinc. / Source: Guido, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-2.0)
Nutrition with omega-3 fatty acids stimulates the activity of platelets
Omega-3 fatty acids are absorbed by the platelets. This reduces the tendency to clump together. This increases the activity of the platelets. [1] Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in cod liver oil, linseed oil, tuna, wild salmon, free-range eggs and chia seeds.
Foods rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C increases platelet production. There is a lot of vitamin C in citrus fruits (such as orange, lemon, mandarin and lime). You can also find a lot of vitamin C in: mangoes, strawberries, pomegranate, broccoli, (kale) cabbage, spinach and peppers.
Whole grain foods
Whole grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, also increase the level of platelets in your blood.
Papaya / Source: Riviere rouge, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Foods high in vitamin B12
A vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to a reduced number of platelets. Foods high in vitamin B12 include eggs, salmon, sardines, lamb, liver and tuna. You can of course also take vitamin B12 supplements. Cheese is also high in vitamin B12, but there are studies suggesting a possible relationship between cow’s milk intake and thrombocytopenia. [2]
Extract of a papaya leaf
A natural remedy to increase the number of platelets in your body is papaya leaf extract. In a study by researchers from Sri Lanka [3], fresh papaya leaves were shown to increase the number of platelets in mice. Several people with thrombocytopenia indicate on the internet that they benefit from taking a papaya leaf extract.
Some final tips to increase your platelet levels
Do not eat products to which you are (slightly) allergic. Sometimes a gluten-free diet helps increase your platelets.
Drinking water is very healthy and necessary for your body. Blood cells consist of water, so make sure you keep drinking enough.
It is best to maintain a varied diet. There is no point in only increasing one particular food, as you will miss out on essential vitamins and nutrients. Try to cook with as many fresh products as possible and pay close attention to your water intake. For more information, you can ask your doctor or dietitian.
