Thick Blood Can Be a Big Problem

Athletes are always seeking ways to increase their red blood count since red blood cells carry oxygen – thus greater performance, but blood viscosity (thickness) also carries dangers of heart attack, and when the blood gets thick it gets sticky so it doesn’t efficiently transfer nutrients and discharge toxins.  The ratio of red blood cells to white blood cells is called our blood hematocrit.  This ratio (hematocrit) normally ranges around 40% for women and 45% for men.  Mine typically runs at 53%.  This is not good!  And I’m not alone.  This is a very common problem for people who exercise hard, really tear down their muscles, are getting up there in years and have high protein demands.  Even Dena tested high last week – and she eats clean – real clean.  Always discuss your hematocrit with your doctor when you get blood work.   Some doctors recommend donating blood every 6 months, but other doctors say the viscosity will return by the end of the week.  Aside from an entire lifestyle change – or blood thinners, an aspirin a day is really the only other option.