How does a vegetarian raise their hemoglobin, hemotocrit and HDL cholesterol?

Question

I'm 26 years old and I participate in drug studies for a living and recently got rejected from one because my hemoglobin and hemotocrit were too low. My HDL cholesterol was too low as well. I'm thinking this is because I'm a recent vegetarian... its been about 5 months since I've stopped eating animal flesh. Otherwise, I'm healthy. I don't smoke and my BMI is a low 19.

Since getting rejected, I've started taking a multivitamin with iron, started drinking one glass of red wine each night (to help increase my HDL) and started exercising every day as well. Any thoughts on what else I could be doing that I'm not already? I want to screen for another study in a week or so.

Answer 1

Your HDL is effected by your intake of saturated vs. unsaturated fats and your exercise level. Your hemoglobin is directly related to your intake of iron. Your hematocrit should not be low unless you've experienced blood loss, or your diet is very insufficient of protein and iron.

It's very important that you get adequate protein despite being a vegetarian. You might try soy products or even protein supplement shakes. Green leafy veggies (spinach is great and yummy fresh or cooked!) have lots of iron. For your HDL, make sure you are getting enough physical exercise. Also make sure the majority of the fat you are taking in is unsaturated. The red wine is an acceptable supplement, but won't do much on it's own.

Hope this helps! Best wishes!

Answer 2

The way animals are treated is wrong regarding meat production. But lean meats are healthy, rich in protein and amino acids. Moderation is the key. However I do not understand why vegans sustain animal life. Aren't vegans killing other lifes for their needs? Stripping plants of their fruits? Aren`t those fruits used to feed other animal life forms? Wheat is a life form too. Cotton is a life form as well. You are wearing cotton every day. If plants would have a nervous system and pain receptors they would of felt hurt when gathered as well. So I see no sense in being a vegan or an ovo-lacto vegetarian. I just say, to be fair to other species of this planet. Let us stop eating and fill ourselves with supplements. See where that will take us 400 years from now

Answer 3

I never knew it was possible to actually make a living solely by participating in drug studies!

However, are you a strict vegetarian? If you can eat eggs (which, if unfertalized, are discards anyway) you can improve all three areas.

Sauteeing and frying in iron pans helps too. Be sure to eat lots of tomatoes, broccoli, and other fruits and vegetables with Vitamin C, as they make iron from the food sources you do get available to your system.

Answer 4

I had the same problem until i started eating a lot of seafood. I eat salmon at least twice a week, as well as other seafood, and my HDL went up as a result.

You can also try fish oil tablets, they work as well.

Answer 5

First off, congratulations on saving helpless animals! I, too, am beginning a life of vegetarianism. Unfortunately, I realise the body still needs certain things to keep healthy. I hope you don't mind that I keep track of your answers. Best of luck!

Answer 6

Does this mean you exclude Dairy products? The drugs your taking in are of SYTHETIC CHEMICALS, this is VERY BAD for your BODY PERIOD! You should consider NEVER TESTING DRUGS IN YOUR SYSTEM! You should ALSO KNOW:

http://www.mercola.com/2003/mar/26/pasteurized_milk.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2002/feb/23/vitamin_d.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/19/common_toxins.htm

Answer 7

Eat peanuts , almonds, brazilian nuts, some beans, dont know which beans are high in iron, alvacado and vegetable oils and fried potatoes might give you the fat you are looking for.