by Victorious Heart

Created on: October 19, 2009   Last Updated: October 21, 2009

Donating blood is good for the donornot just the recipient

Did you know that donating blood has many health benefits and can actually help save your life? It's true. When you give blood you lower your levels of iron in your bloodstream which is important I have discovered. Women loose blood every month (menstrual cycle) and therefore lower their iron levels. Men on the other hand do not loose blood regularly which puts them at greater risks for developing heart disease. You a red meat lover and eat lots of it? Chances are you will have higher amounts of iron which can cause free radicals to form in your body, which then creates changes to your natural cell formation. This increases your risks for developing heart disease as well as cancer. So not only are you coming away with a wonderful feeling deep down inside because you will possibly help save someone's life, but you are also deriving the health benefits of lowering your levels of iron.

A recent study led by Dr. Leo Zacharski of both men/ women (ages 43-61) who had peripheral arterial disease (narrowed arteries limiting blood flow) showed that by drawing blood, it actually lowered iron levels. Researchers sited that there were less non fatal heart attacks, as well as much lower death rates.

According to Dr. Leo Zacharski, who authored the study, letting blood is "safe and inexpensive, and correlates to routine blood donation (and) appears to contribute to improved vascular health."

That's fit *get healthy *be strong *live well

http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/02/14/donating-blood-is -good-for-you/

Additional benefits:

Free juice and cookies!

Requires no effort

Free pass on lifting anything heavy

Sense of pride knowing you helped someone in need

Someone's hero

Blood banks take many precautions these days such as following strict rules and guidelines which they are required to meet by law, so there is virtually zero risk in donating blood. You must be at least be 18 yrs of age (17 with written permission) and you must be healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds.

Screening process:

You will be asked for identification

You will be listed on the Record of Donation

Your finger will be pricked and the drop of blood is tested to make sure your levels of iron are within an acceptable range. Your hemoglobin level (iron level) will be examined to make sure that it is not too low. If it is, then you will have to come back at a later date (you will only be permitted to donate every 8 weeks) and your iron levels

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>