Health Benefits of Being a Regular Blood Donor -
Did you know that blood donation not only saves lives but can improve your health too? Roll up your sleeves and donate blood today. Those who donate:
Get a Mini Physical - Every blood donor gets a mini-physical prior to donation which includes checking your haemoglobin level, blood glucose levels, weight and blood pressure. Your blood will also be tested for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. Please note: this should not be used as a replacement for regular medical care however it will give you a good indication of your general health such as finding out if you have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Have Better Blood Flow - Repeated blood donations may help your blood to flow better, possibly helping to limit damage to the lining of your blood vessels, which should result in fewer arterial blockages which can decrease your risk of having a stroke. Phillip DeChristopher, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Loyola University Health System blood bank, told TIME: “What is clear is that blood donors seem to not be hospitalized so often, and if they are, they have shorter lengths of stay and are less likely to get heart attacks, strokes, and cancers.”
Live Longer – According to a study: Those who volunteer for altruistic reasons, i.e. to help others rather than themselves, live longer than those who volunteer for more self-centered reasons.
Balances Iron Levels in Your Blood – For each unit of blood donated, you lose about one-quarter of a gram of iron, which is one of the best ways to avoid the health risks associated with iron overload. Your body has a limited capacity to excrete iron, so it can easily build up in and damage organs like your liver, heart, and pancreas; many adult men and postmenopausal women are at risk for health problems associated with excess iron.
Burns Calories - People burn approximately 650 calories per donation of one pint (470 ml) of blood, according to the University of California, San Diego.
Reduces The Risk of Cancer - The Miller-Keystone Blood Center says that a consistency of blood donations is 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.
Preserves Cardiovascular Health – Blood viscosity is known to be a unifying factor for the risk of cardiovascular disease, says the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. How thick and sticky your blood is and how much friction your blood creates through the blood vessels can determine how much damage is done to the cells lining your arteries. You can reduce your blood viscosity by donating blood on a regular basis, which eliminates the iron that may possibly oxidize in your blood. An increase in oxidative stress can be damaging to your cardiovascular system. According to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, Blood donation also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Source: POMGH