bleeding under the skin or bruising. If yes, please share your email to subscribe. There is no upper limit on age as long as the individual is healthy. It is advisable to consult a doctor and share medical history before going for blood donation. Blood donation may help in lowering the risk of cancer. Undergo a brief examination prior to giving blood, during which blood pressure, pulse, hemoglobin, and temperature are checked. It is important that blood donation takes place in a hospital, a clinic or a blood bank, in the presence of medical experts. According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, iron may cause accelerated free radical damage in the body and may be linked to an increased risk of cancer and aging. Plasma is the pale, yellow portion of the blood. When a donation is needed, doctors would find the matching tissue type and contact you. feeling faint. There are several types of blood donation, which help meet different medical needs. You have to wait for 56 days or 8 weeks between whole blood donations. It is also possible to store your own blood for your future needs. This may be inherited or may be caused due to alcoholism, anemia or other disorders. How to get oil out of clothes? “Our blood bank members have transfused almost 200 units of COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma at Hershey Medical Center and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center,” Erony said. Sixteen-year-olds must have parental consent to give blood. The lifesaving blood and platelet supplies that hospitals use came only from donors. Prevent Liver Damage. Donating blood is a kind act that takes little effort from the donor, but can really save lives. Once again, the reduction in the level of iron in the blood provides health benefits, and this time in the form of a reduced risk of liver and heart conditions. While it isn’t the same thing as a trip to the doctor, donating blood can be another way to keep ... 2. We source information from studies, clinical trial findings, and meta-analyses published in peer-reviewed journals. Images are provided by Shutterstock & our contributors. About 36,000 pints of blood are needed every day in the United States, and 6.8 million people donate a year. Just one blood donation potentially can save as many as three lives. Must weigh at least 110 pounds. High iron stores can increase a person’s risk of heart attacks. After donating blood, the body works to replenish the blood loss. Here is the step-by-step method to use lemongrass. Individuals below the age of 18 and above 60 and with weight lower than 110 lbs cannot donate blood. University of California San Francisco Medical Center. In fact, some studies have shown that men who donate at least three times a year can drastically reduce their risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Each donor is given a mini physical examination, but there are still some minor side effects that could occur. About 5 million Americans are in need of a blood transfusion, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dates are sweet fruits of the date palm tree. You can use baking soda, chalk, or dishwashing liquid to loosen the stain before a wash. How to cut and dry rosemary? In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas. Must be healthy and feeling well. Although severe adverse effects are rare, temporary reactions can occur, including: weakness. Organic Facts may receive a portion of revenues if you click on the sponsored ads and links by Google, Ezoic, or the Amazon Affiliate program. Blood donation lowers levels of iron in the body and helps maintain them at a healthy level. 4. Get the latest information, tips & recipes for healthy living delivered directly to your inbox. Consult a medical practitioner for health problems. Currently, she lives in Tucson, Arizona. Those who have medical conditions such as AIDS and hepatitis should not donate blood. She has authored, co-authored, and written more than 50 books and thousands of articles on a wide range of topics. Photo Credit: Shutterstock. The Joy of Saving Human Lives Many people are familiar with the benefits and the process of blood donation; however, few people understand the importance of plasma donation. For this, you will have to look out for green stems. The benefits of giving blood. Blood donors can experience several benefits. American Journal of Epidemiology 1998; 148(5): 445-51. Regular blood donations can help stabilize iron levels and lower the chances of developing liver and heart conditions. The age of the donor must be at least 17 years and their weight should be more than 45 kgs to be able to donate blood. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88%. Promotes new cell production. Every day, blood transfusions take place and save the lives of many people all over the world. 3. Eligibility requirements, Borreli L. Why donating blood is food for your health. Make sure the blood is stored in a good blood bank. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, mainly due to its compound curcumin, is responsible for weight loss. What are the benefits of donating your blood? Thes… It can be genetic or caused by anemia, alcoholism, or other disorders. Giving blood may lower your risk of suffering a heart attack. He said that one of the benefits of donating blood was that blood […] By reducing iron in the blood cells, blood donation can also reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. One should wear comfortable clothes during the donation process. Burning calories: According to a 2010 article, giving blood … Being a regular donor may help with blood flow and reduce arterial blockages. Overview of hemochromotosis, Salonen JT et al. You also benefit from donating blood in at least five ways: You get a free blood … Benefits of calamansi juice include bleaching the skin, detoxifying the body, aiding in weight loss & managing diabetes. This wait time helps replenish the blood levels in the donor’s body. The first step towards bone marrow donation is sharing your details with bone marrow registers/websites. To increase transparency to the user, we provide reference links marked by numbers in parentheses in the copy of the article. 1. The body responds to blood donations by restoring its blood cell supply. It is always good to plan blood donation in advance, according to the American Red Cross. Taking part in a blood donation drive does not only give you the satisfaction of saving human lives. A … The waiting period is 112 days or 16 weeks between power red donations. lightheadedness. In fact it’s entirely possible that your blood donation is responsible for saving someone’s life. Avoid donation if you’re suffering from any disorders, and consult your doctor before doing it. So, iron is important for health but as long as it is not excessive. Any healthy person can donate blood after the required gap of 56 days. The excess can be blotted out gently using a tissue. How long does donation take? 5. By donating blood the iron stores in the body are maintained at healthy levels. When you donate blood, the amount of iron in your blood is reduced. Lowers risk of cancer. 3. During your donation appointment, you will complete a brief health questionnaire to make sure blood donation is safe for you and the recipient of your blood. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. A person with an active infection, acute infection or diseases like HIV/AIDS should not donate blood. Do you want the best of science-backed health & nutrition information in your inbox? Donating blood is good for the health of donors as well as those who need it. The benefits of donating blood include good health and a reduced risk of cancer and hemochromatosis. Helps with weight loss. Make sure that the donor meets the standard blood donation eligibility criteria. On the day of donation, make sure you are well hydrated, so keep drinking plenty of fluids. High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the leading risks for heart attacks and there is evidence that regular blood donations may be beneficial. But there are health benefits for the person who donates blood as well, in addition to feeling good about making the effort. Theres no doubt that donating blood can do a lot of good: Donating just one pint of blood can save more than one persons life, according to the American Red Cross. Blood donation is a great gesture to help the needy people or those who are in need of the blood. Donate blood, stay healthy, and save lives! Promotes healthy liver and heart. Medically reviewed by Vanessa Voltolina (MS, RD) ✓ Evidence Based. Regular blood donation may help in reducing iron overload. Deborah is a freelance health writer who is passionate about animals and the environment. You must have seen the posters and heard announcements about community blood drives that tell you the importance of blood donation. Donating blood may help in improving cardiovascular health and reducing obesity. Donors should ensure that they are in good health to avoid any health issues post-transfusion to those who use it. Our articles are evidence-based and contain scientific references, fact-checked by experts. Regularly donating blood helps males in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood. dizziness. But blood donation isnt without its disadvantages. Giving blood can reduce harmful iron stores. But there are health benefits for the person who donates blood as well, in addition to feeling good about making the effort. First, you will have to discard the tough outer leaves of the lemongrass stalks by peeling them away with your fingers. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Researchers concluded that reduced iron stores caused due to blood donation may reduce cancer risk. Benefits of Donating Blood. It is important that blood donation takes place in a hospital, a clinic or a blood bank, in the presence of medical experts. There is ideally no upper limit for donating blood as long as you are healthy. In addition, with your permission, the American Red Cross may use your blood for additional testing or other medical research. provide a sense of belonging and reduce isolation. Stimulate Corpuscle. Donors should ensure that the… Donating blood is one of the positive actions that can be done for caring the heart. How old do you have to be to donate blood? Being an active donor will decrease the risk attack and also heart disease which has a … The National Coordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Omale Amedu, says donating blood, aside from helping to save lives, also has lots of benefits for the donor. Intake of iron-rich diet may increase the iron levels in the body, and since only limited proportions can be absorbed, excess iron gets stored in the heart, liver, and the pancreas. Pregnant women should seek expert advice before donating blood. People worldwide are suffering from illnesses that requires them to have a blood transfusion and their only hope of being alive is dependent on us. Donation also brings a personal satisfaction from helping others. 1. This is a plus if your iron levels are too high. This is a positive effect of reducing iron in the blood when donating. [Editor's Note: June 14, 2017 is World Blood Donors Day. reduce stress. It reduces the amount of iron in the body and reduces the risk of heart disease. When you donate blood, you will be tested for hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, and other diseases to determine whether you are eligible to donate. It’s hard to beat that type of benefit! The amount of blood taken during blood donation is too great for anyone who weighs less than 110 pounds. Nearly 50% of blood is made up of plasma , which itself contains water, proteins and salts. ], American Red Cross. Donating blood can help in treating patients suffering from cancer. Whole blood donation takes about 45 to 60 minutes. benefit your physical health. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. You can donate one unit or 350 ml of blood every 8 weeks. Yes, it’s a good cause, but did you know that donating blood also has health benefits? Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Ginger also helps boost bone health, strengthen the immune system, and increase appetite. Whole blood donors can also donate platelets 72 hours after a whole blood donation, and vice versa. Donation of blood is associated with reduced risk of myocardial infarction. Chance to Save the Human Lives: Blood donation helps in maintaining iron levels and reduces the risk of various health ailments. It is always good to have a healthy diet weeks before the donation. Provides free blood analysis. It’s hard to beat that type of benefit! Health benefits of hibiscus tea include its ability to control hypertension & reduce high blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, & improve liver health. 4. The University of California San Francisco Medical Center notes that anyone who has ever used self-injected drugs (non-prescription), had hepatitis, or is in a high-risk group for AIDS is not eligible to donate blood. Increased level of iron in the blood raises the chance of heart disease. 4. Benefits of Donating Blood Blood donation is good for your health. Must be at least 16 years of age. People who have taken vaccinations or have undergone any surgery or have cancer, diabetes, cold and flu should consult health experts before donating blood. nausea. Donating blood is good for the health of donors as well as those who need it. This means that there is no risk of contracting any blood-borne infections or diseases. And while the necessity of your donating for someone who needs blood is undeniable, did you know that blood donation has benefits for you, the donor, too? Health benefits of blood donation include a reduced risk of hemochromatosis. ), How to Incorporate Collagen into Your Daily Routine, Everything You (Actually) Need To Know About Oils. The 5 Benefits of Donating Blood. There are also potential benefits for people who regularly donate blood: Lower iron levels in blood. You can save lives—and improve your health—with one simple act. The health benefits of donating blood is quite varied include reducing this scary heart disease. 13 Super Health Benefits of Blood Donation Regularly. The usefulness of iron is to transport oxygen through blood cells throughout the body. 2. For example, a study appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology reported that men in Finland who donated blood at least once a year had an 88 percent lower risk of experiencing a heart attack than their peers who did not donate blood. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that participants ages 43 to 61 had fewer heart attacks and strokes when they donated blood every six … It is important to know that human blood cannot be manufactured, people are the only source for it and that is why it is important to donate blood and help those in need. By Erin Hueffner. You can also donate blood at any hospital. Reducing the Risk of Hemochromatosis. Studies have shown that benefits of Blood Donation can reduce the risk of heart attacks to 1/3 times, especially in ... 2. bleeding from the needle prick. Donating blood burns calories A one-time blood donation can burn up to 650 calories, as the body has to work hard to replenish itself. In case you are undergoing any treatment or medication, it is advisable to inform the blood bank/clinic/hospital where you are donating blood. Many studies have suggested that regular blood donation is beneficial to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Health benefits of donating blood include good health and reduced risk of cancer and hemochromatosis. Giving blood can reveal potential health problems. Blood donation is beneficial in reducing the risk of heart and liver ailments caused by the iron overload in the body. help get rid of negative feelings. That’s because excess iron is stored in these organs, which can result in liver failure, cirrhosis, and heart abnormalities (e.g., irregular heart rhythms). Some of the benefits of donating the blood are as follows: 1. Repeated blood donations may help the blood flow in a way that's less damaging to the lining of the blood vessels and could result in fewer arterial blockages. naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. improve your emotional well-being. The entire list of reference links is also provided at the bottom of the article. According to studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack. © 2021 Organic Information Services Pvt Ltd. All the information on this website is for education purpose only. And here is even more awesome news: not only is donating blood extremely beneficial to those on the receiving end, it also has proven benefits to the person donating blood.Here are some of the benefits you gain for you humanitarian efforts. Approximately 1 million Americans have hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body absorbs an excess amount of iron. However, blood donation should not be very frequent and you may consult your doctor before donating blood to avoid any health issues. The donated blood will be stored in a blood bank for future use or can be used for immediate use instantly after screening for the presence of the diseases and other problems. The health benefits of donating blood for the recipients seems obvious. The process employs the use of sterile equipment for every donor. About 5 million Americans are in need of a blood transfusion, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). New blood cell production promotes and supports good overall health. 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