BENEFITS OF BLOOD DONATION

Donating Blood does not have any side effects on your health. In turn, there are several benifits of donating Blood.

Blood donation is a very noble act and it is very beneficial for the recipient as it gives him a new lease of life. But there are also many donors who do not know that there are also advantages of donating blood. Many people are unaware about the advantages and they also have myths regarding the disadvantages for donating blood.

Some of them are listed below

Reduce the chance of heart diseases

It has been observed that increase in blood iron level increases the chance of heart disease. Iron is involved in the oxidation of cholesterol and this process is believed to be detrimental for the arteries. Increases blood iron level favors this process of cholesterol oxidation and thus leads to heart disease. Regular blood donation helps especially males in loosing iron on regular basis. It helps in reducing the chance of heart attack to one third.

Enhance the production of new Red Blood Cells

As the blood is withdrawn from the donors body there is decrease in blood cells. To replenish it, immediately new cells are produced by marrow and this way blood gets refreshed. Therefore donating blood helps in stimulating generation of new blood cells.

Helps in fighting hemochromitosis

Hemochromitosis is a genetic disorder; also know as iron overload disorder wherein iron accumulates in the body tissue because or improper iron metabolism. This condition may lead to organ damage. Though this problem is uncommon in Indians, people with little iron overload also can easily donation blood and reduce their iron content. Taking example from other countries, one in every 300-400 people in England suffers from this disorder and American Red Cross blood services accept such donors as safe donor as it’s a genetic disorder, itwon’t be harmful to the person receiving blood from such donors.

Burns calories

One can diet or remain fit by donating blood regularly. One pint of blood (450 ml) when donated burns 650 calories in donor’s body.

Invigorated feeling in elderly people

It has been mentioned in various sites though not proved that elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated orreenergized by giving blood on a regular basis.

Basic blood test is done

Apart from all these benefits a donor gets a mini blood test done before donating blood. This includes Hematocrit i.e. HB level test, Blood pressure is measured, body weight is checked. After the blood is collected it tested for 5 major diseases. Those are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and malaria. Donor is immediately informed if any of these test found to be positive.

Reduce Cancer Risk
Homogeneous blood donation is correlated with lower risks of cancers According to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. Risk levels dropped is related to the frequency of blood donation.