Clinically known as thrombocytopenia, a low platelet count is a body condition where the amount of platelets in your blood circulation is lower than normal. A normal platelet count in blood ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter in a healthy person. It is considered a low platelet count if this count falls below 150,000 per microlitre.
Platelets help to clot blood by forming plugs in the holes of the blood vessels. On average, platelets can survive for 5-9 days.
There are three common causes of thrombocytopenia or low platelet count:
1. The accumulation of platelets in the spleen due to serious liver disease or cancer. It leads to a decrease in the number of circulating platelets.
2. Reduced platelet production due to leukemia (blood cancer), viral infections, certain types of anemia, drugs for chemotherapy, exposure to toxic chemicals, vitamin B12 deficiency, and heavy alcohol consumption.
3. Increased platelet breakdown due to autoimmune diseases, drug reactions, blood-borne bacterial infections, childbirth, and other body conditions such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Easy or excessive bruising, spontaneous bleeding from the gums or nose, prolonged bleeding from cuts, skin rashes due to superficial bleeding, and blood in urine or stools are some of the telltale signs of a low platelet count. Women can experience heavy menstrual flows. People with low platelet numbers may also complain of pain, exhaustion, and general weakness.
You can quickly increase your platelet count and live a healthy life with certain lifestyle changes and some easy-to-follow home remedies. Continue any of these remedies until normalization of your platelet count. Consult your doctor if thrombocytopenia is severe, i.e., platelet count below 50,000.
Here are the top 10 natural home remedies to increase a low platelet count within days to weeks.
Papaya
Within just a few days, both the papaya fruit and its leaves can help to increase a low platelet count. Researchers and scientists at the Asian Institute of Science and Technology (Malaysia) found that papaya leaf juice could increase the number of platelets in people diagnosed with dengue fever.
• You can eat fresh, ripe papaya or drink a glass of papaya juice mixed with lemon 2 to 3 times a day.
• You can also use a pestle and mortar to extract the juice by pounding a few papaya leaves without the stalk.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass can be useful in increasing the number of platelets, according to a 2011 study published in the IJUPLS (International Journal of Universal Pharmacy and Life Sciences).
In addition, its regular consumption can help increase hemoglobin, red blood cells, total white blood cells, and differential counts of white blood cells. This is because wheatgrass is packed full of chlorophyll – an almost similar structure to the human blood hemoglobin molecule.
• Aim to drink 1⁄2 cup of wheatgrass juice mixed with a little regular lemon juice per day.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is another valuable food for boosting the low number of platelets. This is rich in vitamin A, which contributes to the development of platelets. It also controls the proteins produced in the cells that are critical for increasing the platelet levels.
• Add one teaspoon of honey in a 1⁄2 glass of fresh pumpkin juice and drink it 2 or 3 times a day.
• Alternatively, include pumpkin in your routine diet by adding it to soups, stews, smoothies, and baked goods.
Spinach
Spinach is a rich source of vitamin K, also used in the treatment of low platelet disorder. Vitamin K is a “must” component for blood to clot, and it also helps reduces the risk of excessive internal bleeding.
• In 2 cups of water, boil 4 or 5 leaves of fresh spinach for a couple of minutes. Allow it to cool and blend with tomato juice in 1/2 bottle. Drink it three times per day.
• This green vegetable can also be enjoyed in salads, green smoothies, soups, and side dishes.
Vitamin C
You need to increase your intake of the citrous vitamin, i.e., vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, to increase your platelet count. A study published in the Japanese Hematology Journal stated that vitamin C significantly improves the number of platelets.
Being a potent antioxidant, vitamin C in high doses also prevents platelet free-radical mediated damage. Depending on your age, immunity, and overall health, your body needs 400 to 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day.
• Eat vitamin C rich foods like lemons, bananas, cantaloupes, onions, kiwi, spinach, broccoli, and peppers.
• You may also take vitamin C regularly in the form of supplements, but only after your doctor has been consulted.
Indian Gooseberries
Indian gooseberries, also known as amla, are a popular Ayurvedic remedy for increasing your platelet count. Amla’s vitamin C will help increase platelet development and improve your immune system.
• Eat 4 to 5 gooseberries each morning on an empty stomach.
• Combine two tablespoons of amla juice and honey. Drink it twice a day.
• You can also eat home-made jams or fresh Indian gooseberry-made pickles.
Sesame Oil
This cold-pressed oil also helps to increase your number of platelets. Sesame oil has potent properties that can naturally increase the level of platelets. It reduces body inflammation, free radical damage, and helps improve the flow of blood.
• Drink 2 to 3 tablespoons of sesame oil twice a day.
• You can also apply some sesame oil on lymph node areas to help increase the number of platelets.
• Alternatively, cooking with cold-pressed sesame oil may help.
Beetroot
Beetroot eating is another standard dietary method to increase the number of platelets. Beetroot can raise your platelet count in a few days as it is high in natural antioxidant and hemostatic properties.
• Drink 1-2 tablespoon of fresh beetroot juice twice a day.
• Another choice is to mix 2-3 tablespoons of beetroot juice in a glass of carrot juice and drink it twice a day.
Water
Blood cells are made of proteins and water, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day is highly recommended. Avoid drinking cold water when it comes to a low platelet count as it can damage the digestive tract, and the body will not properly absorb nutrients.
• Better, drink filtered, and distilled water. This will help make more blood cells in your body and therefore increase the number of platelets.
Exercise
Regular exercise can increase the flow of the blood, and strengthen the bone marrow to produce more platelets.
According to the British’s Leukemia / Bone Marrow Transplant Program, some specific exercises may help to increase various levels of low platelet counts. A few instructions below:
• You can do sitting/standing exercises, gentle stretching, and walking when platelets are 15,000 to 20,000.
• You can use light resistance such as weights, elastic tubing, or rubber bands when platelets are 20,000 to 40,000. You can make a brisk walk, as well.
• You can do activities such as stationary cycling and golfing when platelets are 40,000 to 60,000.
• You can do aerobic exercise such as biking or jogging when platelets are above 60,000.
Note: If your platelet count is less than 15,000, avoid all types of exercises as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Additional Tips
• Limit the intake of alcohol as it is involved in interfering with platelet production in the bone marrow.
• Also, it’s better to avoid tonic water as the quinine present in it can reduce the number of platelets in the blood.
• If your platelet count is low, avoid eating raw vegetables, as it can damage the intestinal lining. Alternatively, you can eat vegetables that are softened by steaming.
• To increase the number of platelets, eat 1 to 2 red guavas every day.
• Also included specific foods in your routine diet that act as blood purifiers, such as aloe vera.
• For a few days, avoid all dairy products – including milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter, as these products can contribute to the formation of mucus and aggravate some autoimmune diseases.
• Avoid foods that are canned and processed.
• Get at least 6 to 8 hours of regular sleep to help refresh the body and make more platelets.
• Eat whole-wheat products and cereals of whole grain and brown rice. Avoid white rice, white wheat, processed food, and carbonated beverages.
• Avoid activities that can result in injury.
• Ask your doctor or nutritionist before taking over the counter (OTC) medicines as certain drugs may affect the function of your platelets.