Showing posts with label Blood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blood. Show all posts

Friday, June 8, 2007

Vitamins And Minerals That Effect The Blood

Vitamin and mineral and other nutrients are needed to the health and performance of the body, and are delivered all over the body by the blood. There are many vitamin and mineral that directly have an effect on the blood and its ability to do its important tasks within the body.

As well as the body and mind in general, it is necessary to meet the average recommended daily intake levels of vitamin and mineral and other nutrients each and every day, for optimal performance of the blood.

Red blood cells are responsible for the carrying of oxygen throughout the body, as well as for the removal of waste products. Blood receives its color from the red blood cells, which perform one of the most significant tasks that blood has in the body.

The body wants to continuously make a new supply, because the normal red blood cell lives for about 120 days. There are several vitamin and mineral that are important to the making of these cells and the ability of these cells to perform their important work.

The vitamins that make up the dominant and important. Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is a needed part of the metabolism of red blood cells and also is required to make hemoglobin, which is how the red blood cell transports oxygen. Vitamin B complex are a major factor in the making of red blood cells.

However, for women during periods of pregnancy, the suggested amount is 1.9mg per day and 2.0mg while breastfeeding. Men older than 50 should have a daily Vitamin B6 intake of 1.7mg and women in that age group should take 1.5mg daily. Men between the ages of 19 and 50 need 1.3mg daily of Vitamin B6, as do women of the same age group. Children need, depending on age and size, between .6mg to 1.3mg of Vitamin B6 per day.

Vitamin B9, also called folate in its natural form and folic acid in its pharmaceutical structure, and Vitamin B12, which is also called cobalamin, due to its cobalt content. Other B complex vitamins that have an important role in the creation of red blood include Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin,

One of the most important tasks iron serves in the blood is in the production of hemoglobin. Approximately 60% of the iron in the body is found in its hemoglobin. Iron is one of the minerals that is important to the quality, health and function of blood.

The mineral copper is also involved in the making of red blood cells, and through its enhancement of iron absorption by the body, so too is Vitamin C. Vitamin E also helps in red blood cell production. These, and the numerous other nutrients involved in making the steady supply of red blood cells essential to the body’s health and well being, demonstrate clearly the importance of the every day consumption of the standard recommended daily intake levels of vitamin and mineral and other nutrients. The quality of your blood will control the quality of your life. Nutritional supplements can offer a consistent and safe means of making sure that your body has all the nutrients needed each day to make sure that your blood remains healthy and strong.

Then, vitamin and mineral and other nutrient is important for the blood?

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

How Important Is The Umbilical Cord Blood?

Umbilical cord blood is the blood that is found in the umbilical cord and the placenta. It is extracted immediately after the delivery of the baby. This blood is rich in stem cells. Stem cells are the architects of your body. They have the capability of creating new blood cells, brain cells, etc. They can adjust to the body anytime and start repairing or replenishing the old cells.

Stem cells can give the scientist a treasure of information about various diseases and birth defects. With a detailed study, the reasons behind various genetic diseases and deformities can be unearthed. The specialty of the stem cells lies in their ability to multiple several times and creates whichever cell the body needs.

Diseases That Can Be Treated With Stem Cells

More than 70 diseases can be treated with the help of the umbilical cord blood cells. Some of them are as follows:

  • Bone Marrow Failure Disorders like Aplastic Anemia (Severe), Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia, Pure Red Cell Aplasia, etc
  • Hemoblobinopathies like Beta Thalassemia Major and Sickle Cell Disease
  • Histiocytic Disorders like Hemophagocytosis
  • Inherited Immune System Disorders like Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome, Reticular Dysgenesis, Chronic Granulomatous Disease, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, etc
  • Inherited Metabolic Disorders like Gaucher Disease, Krabbe Disease, Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, Tay Sachs, Wolman Disease, etc
  • Leukemias and Lymphomas like Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Adult T Cell Leukemia, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Juvenile Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, Polymphocytic Leukemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia etc
  • Plasma Cell Disorders like Plasma Cell Leukemia, Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, etc
  • Other Inherited Disorders like Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia, DiGeorge Syndrome, Osteopetrosis, etc
  • Extensive research is being conducted the benefits of cord blood stem cells in ailments like Brain tumor, Ovarian cancer, Small cell lung cancer, testicular cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, spinal injury, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Muscular Dystrophy, etc

    Cord Blood Vs Bone Marrow Transplants

    Why do we need to preserve the cord blood? Bone marrow stem cells should be enough. Well, there are still debates on this issue. There is one point that everyone agrees with. That is, umbilical cord blood has more stem cells than the bone marrow does. On the other hand, unlike the cord blood, adult donor blood is not limited by quantity. However, cord blood stem cells are more flexible compared to the bone marrow cells. Very rarely is it seen that a patient’s body has rejected the cord blood stem cells.

    Cord Blood Banks

    Cord blood banking is increasing in popularity over the past few years. Two types of banks specialize in umbilical cord blood collection and preservation- Public Cord Blood Bank and the Private Cord Blood Bank. Public Cord Blood Banking services are free. Here you can preserve your child’s stem cells. However, a point to note is if you plan to preserve the blood specifically for your family, you will be unable to do so in a public cord blood bank. Here it is more like a donation for the well-being of the society and research. Private blood banks are expensive. Nevertheless, here you can preserve the stem cells just for your family use.

    Umbilical cord blood is very important because the stem cells of cord blood can be used for treatment of many deadly diseases. It is therefore important to preserve cord blood in a cord blood bank also known as cord blood registry. Cord Blood Banking provides answers to all questions that you could have about cord blood banking.

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