Cite this page: Nugent, Pam M.S., DENDROPHILIA, in PsychologyDictionary.org, April 7, 2013, https://psychologydictionary.org/dendrophilia/ (accessed January 6, 2018). share Facebook
The American Red Cross recommends eligible blood donors eat a well-balanced diet with extra iron-rich foods prior to their donation this fall. During the fall, iron-rich produce such as broccoli, kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots and chard are in season and therefore more abundant. Food can have two types of iron, heme and nonheme. The body can absorb up to 30 percent of heme iron, primarily found in meat, but only 2 to 10 percent of nonheme iron.
The kidneys play a role in the production of red blood cells, but without a properly functioning kidney, your red blood cell count may be too low, and your energy levels might suffer as a result. Eating iron-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables and eggs can help you increase your iron intake.