The vital role of blood: Why your blood is so important

The following is about why your blood is so important. What happens if the blood can't do its job properly?

8% of the human body is made up of blood and connects all organ systems with each other. It fulfills various vital functions:

The main functions of blood

Transport: Among other things, blood transports oxygen, nutrients and waste products to and from the cells

Connection: Blood connects different organs and tissues through the circulatory system

Communication: It transmits hormones and signals that are important for regulating various bodily functions

pH: Blood helps to maintain a stable pH in the body

Immune system: The blood contains immune cells and antibodies that are responsible for the defense against pathogens and immune surveillance

Without blood, our body would not be able to distribute different, specific tasks to different organs.
Oxygen could not be transported from the lungs to the brain or legs. Immune cells would not be able to fight pathogens in a wound. The systemic pH value of 7.4, which is essential for most enzyme reactions, could not be kept stable without the bicarbonate buffer system in the blood.

All these vital functions are made possible by the blood.

What exactly is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid component of blood that remains after all the cells (also known as hematocrit) have been removed.

Here we find:

• Electrolytes (various mineral ions)
• proteins
• Nutrients from food
• Metabolic products
• signal molecules
• organic acids
• Immune molecules such as antibodies

Imagine removing all the fish from a river. What remains is the water with all the substances it carries. It is similar with plasma: it is the liquid part of the blood that transports everything that does not belong to the blood cells. Plasma also has the ability to clot.

Serum is what remains after the plasma has coagulated. Otherwise, it is almost identical to plasma.

Iron and Oxygen: A vital connection

Iron is an essential component of the red blood pigment haemoglobin, which is contained in red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes. Hemoglobin enables the transport of oxygen, which is crucial for energy production in our cells.

When erythrocytes flow through the pulmonary capillaries, they absorb oxygen that enters our lungs from the air. At the same time, they release carbon dioxide (CO2). These oxygen-rich cells enter the bloodstream through the pumping action of the heart.

Now the really remarkable thing begins: the heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood cells through the body so that the oxygen reaches all tissues and organs. This oxygen is necessary for the mitochondria in our cells to produce energy. At the end of this process, oxygen is converted into water and the required energy is released.

What is needed for oxygen transport to work?

New erythrocytes can only be formed efficiently if sufficient iron is available. A deficiency can lead to iron-dependent anemia. If we lack iron, oxygen is transported inadequately in the blood and does not reach all tissues for energy production. The result is tiredness.

Vitamin B12 also helps with the formation of red blood cells. It is not found in plants. A vegan diet therefore does not provide sufficient vitamin B12, which should be supplemented.

Vitamin C ensures healthy blood vessels and vitamin K and calcium ensure healthy blood clotting.

Vitamin B2 and B6 maintain the health of red blood cells.

What Affects My Iron Intake?

Possible deficiencies should be checked by regular blood tests.

Reduced calorie intake is almost always associated with overall decreased iron intake. This is one reason, young women are more likely to be iron deficient – due to decreased calorie intake.

Vitamin C supports iron absorption and should be adequately supplied.

Vitamin B12 – Helping The Blood Cells

The vitamin is involved in the formation of red blood cells. A deficiency can trigger anemia - a condition during which you enter fatigue due to either hemoglobin or erythrocyte deficiency.

Too little Vitamin B12 is commonly due to insufficient intake through the diet, permanent physical or mental stress and a constantly engaged immune system.

In addition, inflammation in the intestine can block the absorption of B12.

Anemia: More than just a Lack of Healthy Blood

Anemia means we are lacking blood, either blood volume, erythrocytes or hemoglobin. A massive decline in performance and focus is the result. Fatigue and lack of concentration can occur even to the point of exhaustion [1].

If there is a significantly increased need for energy, like in endurance training, optimal oxygen transport to the muscles should be ensured through healthy blood volume and composure.

Healthy Blood And Endurance Athletes

The Canadian triathlete Paula Findlay won 5 international triathlon competitions before taking part in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. There, however, she finished last.

Findlay later explained that her legs and energy had let her down during the run [2].

What had happened?

Shortly after the Games, she was diagnosed with a devastating iron deficiency and resulting anemia. This anemia explained the athlete's collapse and the importance of a functioning blood system. As the blood volume of athletes is greater than that of non-athletes, a sufficient number of functioning red blood cells is essential for performance.

An adequate iron supply is particularly important, as iron is an essential component of haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Without enough iron, anemia can quickly develop, which impairs the blood's ability to transport oxygen and significantly limits physical performance.

From Research: Blood and Athletic Performance

During sport and the associated increased physical stress, it is important that the body, especially the muscles, is optimally supplied with oxygen in order to use energy efficiently.

In athletes, the blood volume and thus the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) also increases by up to 60% [3] in order to better compensate for the exertion. This adaptation ensures that the muscles are supplied with sufficient oxygen, which is crucial for performance and recovery.

Why do athletes need a larger blood volume?

• More blood and more oxygen in all tissues
• better heat management and sweating
• increase overall endurance performance [4]

Are female endurance athletes a risk group for anemia?

• low iron intake
• blood loss through monthly menstruation
• bursting of small blood vessels by high strain
• excessive sweating

Intense training is also likely to cause iron deficiency when performed by untrained individuals [6].

Insufficient vitamin B12 status can lead to pernicious anemia, which is caused by a deficiency of cobalamin. Studies have shown that orally administered vitamin B12 supplements can be as effective as intravenously administered cobalamin, provided it is present in a dosage of at least 1000 mcg/day or has a higher bioavailability, e.g. through a liposomal formulation [7].

Risk Factors For Anemia

• heavy menstruation
• injuries with blood loss
• extreme strain
• marathon: Blood loss via the digestive system, urine and feet injuries
• vegan diet without adequate supplementation
• growth in young athletes

Conclusion

Overall, it is important to ensure an adequate supply of iron and vitamin B12 during physical exertion. Anemia, which significantly impairs energy production, should be detected early and treated professionally. Regular blood tests and a healthy diet are therefore essential to maintain the health and performance of the blood.

Sources