About Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell. They carry oxygen to the body tissues and carbon dioxide to the lungs. They must have hemoglobin to carry the oxygen, and hemoglobin depends on the presence of iron in your system, which comes from food. Women average 4-5 million cells in each milliliter of blood while men average 5-6 million. When more red blood cells than average are present, it is called polycythemia and when less than average it is known as anemia. With the disease known as sickle cell anemia, cells are misshapen in the form of a crescent. Cells affected by this disease cannot carry enough oxygen.

Red blood cells are formed in the marrow of long bones from stem cells. They wear out in about 120 days and are broken down in the spleen, with some of the waste products sent to the liver for disposal. Structures in red blood cells vary from person to person and are the basis for the various blood groups (blood types).

A healthy diet that includes adequate iron supplies is necessary for red blood cell health. Read nutrition labels and consult a nutrition book if necessary for this information.