How to increase blood volume naturally?

[Mustardfan]

Has anyone got tips/ seen research on how to increase blood volume naturally. I have mild POTS.

Drink plenty?

Water. They always say drink water before a blood test to improve flow.

Thanks. Any other suggestions?

Hi op,

Blood volume is reduced by low salt diets. IF and ONLY IF you are doing this, then your blood volume might be lower than your natural level.

IF you have kidney disease or your doctor has told you to cut down on salt, then, Obviously. Follow what he says.

                                         The natural human response to insufficient salt intake is to reduce blood volume, in order to maintain blood saltiness. The  natural consequence of this reduction. is reduced blood pressure.  That is the reason low salt diets are promulgated.   Unfortunately,  it was not realised at the time,  our defence mechanism, which tries to conserve our salt,  that is hormonal increases, which  reduce salt excretion, can cause other problems which increase mortality.    A normally healthy human will compensate for excess salt by thirst and  consequent excretion.  Up to about 6 grams per day of salt (not sodium) is required.

     The experiment which discovered the salt/blood pressure link was carried out on rats. They found that by giving the rats a low calcium diet, then reducing salt, they could induce the lowered blood pressure /reduced blood volume. 


    Probably,  none of this applies to you.   But,  just  in case it does... The information is there.

Best of luck
BTBH

PS. Don't confuse levels of salt (sodium chloride - NaCl). With sodium. 1 gram of salt contains approx 1/3 gram of sodium.

Drink lots of drinks marked as 'electrolyte' rather than just water. These have the right balance of salts to be better absorbed. Most of us don't really need them unless we're running across a desert but they might be helpful for you.

A healthy diet, including fish, Greek yogurt, eggs, beef, etc will maintain your albumin levels.

This helps to keep the right balance with your circulating volume.