A healthy spleen supports the body by destroying damaged blood cells, preventing infection and storing healthy red blood cells. Found under the ribcage, the spleen is important for filtering the blood and supporting your immune and digestive systems. You can strengthen this small organ with spleen health supplements, improving your body’s overall health and wellness.
Spleen Health Supplements To Add to Your Diet
Incorporating spleen-friendly foods into your diet is an easy way to start proactively supporting your spleen. Doctors also recommend eating smaller meals more frequently and thoroughly chew your food for better spleen health and to nourish your body. Taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements can also promote a stronger spleen.
1. Vitamin B-12
The body needs vitamin B-12 for red blood cell production, neurological functions and the synthesis of your DNA. If your B-12 levels are too low, the body starts to make abnormal red blood cells. Damaged red blood cells will pool inside the spleen and cause the organ to work too hard. Supporting your B-12 levels keeps your blood and spleen healthy.
2. Vitamin C
Commonly touted as an immune booster, vitamin C allows the body to absorb iron, helping prevent anemia and an enlarged spleen. With an enlarged spleen, your chances of infection increase and your white and red blood cell levels decrease. While vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables, taking a supplement can help you get more than the recommended 75 to 90 milligrams a day.
3. Iron
Often found in spleen health supplements, iron is important for producing hemoglobin and continuing the transport of oxygen in red blood cells throughout the body. Iron deficiency can lead to an enlarged spleen. Spleens are already easily damaged given the softness of the tissue, but an enlarged spleen makes the organ more susceptible to damage and rupturing. Severe concerns with the spleen could lead to removal surgery.
4. Vitamin A
As a nutrient, vitamin A helps the body with bone growth, cell division, tooth development and more. However, it’s important to control how much vitamin A you eat. Too much can cause damage to the spleen. If the spleen tears or splits, it’s called a splenic rupture. This can create a life-threatening condition of internal bleeding.
5. Red Ginseng
A popular health supplement, red ginseng works to re-energize and reinvigorate the spleen. This organ can easily get overworked during periods of stress and anxiety. Calming stress or nervous energy can keep the spleen working in optimal conditions. Ginseng also supports the your digestive system and the circulatory system. Helping these work better takes strain off the spleen.
6. Licorice
Licorice root may have detoxifying properties, with a unique mixture of bioactive compounds that could be beneficial to the health of the spleen and other digestive organs. This supplement supports a healthy flow of blood throughout the body, making sure the spleen isn’t overtaxed with damaged blood cells. Licorice doesn’t have a natural presence in food, so supplementing with a tea, tincture or pill could offer an effective boost to the spleen.
7. Astragulus
An option from the Chinese spleen health supplements, traditional Chinese medicine uses this herb to boost the immune system. However, it’s also believed to support the spleen by rejuvenating it and restoring its function. This is especially true in cases where you’ve lost your appetite or experienced fatigue. Select astragalus membranaceus for the greatest health benefits.
Foods That Strengthen the Spleen
Adjusting your diet is a great way to boost the health of your spleen, both by incorporating spleen-friendly foods and eating in ways that reduce how hard the spleen has to work. Consuming raw foods puts more strain on this organ. Thoroughly cooking food helps it break down easier and faster in the digestive system, making less work for the spleen.
Include these foods in your diet for better spleen health:
- Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, peppers and asparagus
- Fruits like bananas, citrus fruits, berries and apples
- Whole grains like quinoa, oats, barley and brown rice
- Starchy vegetables like butternut squash and sweet potatoes
- Legumes and seeds like lentils, black beans, pumpkin seeds or almonds
- Lean animal proteins like turkey, chicken, fish or eggs
Be sure to incorporate healthy fats from avocados or olive oil and reduce your consumption of unhealthy fats, refined sugar and fast food. Limit your intake of processed meats and overly processed packaged foods. Seasoning your food with warm herbs like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, clove, rosemary, turmeric, sage and garlic may also support a stronger spleen by helping cleanse and purify the organ.
Practices for Strengthening the Spleen
In addition to increasing your intake of spleen health supplements and adjusting your diet, consider these lifestyle changes for strengthening your spleen.
Mindful Eating
You can give your spleen a hand by eating mindfully. It’s important to eat small meals more frequently to avoid overeating. Conversely, if you skip meals or go long intervals without eating, it can hurt your spleen. Eating small amounts every two to three hours is ideal. You should also chew slowly and thoroughly to help the food digest properly and completely.
Carefully Plan Your Diet
A good amount of protein in your diet will help the spleen with digestion. It also makes it easier to absorb the necessary nutrients from the food you consume for strengthening and fueling the body. Incorporate yellow food sources, like egg yolks, cantaloupe, summer squash and soy, into your diet, as these foods aid in digestion and are rich in vitamin C.
Reduce Stress Levels
Stress negatively and severely impacts the digestive system. Mitigating stressors in your life, such as reducing some of your obligations, can help protect your spleen from being overworked and flooded with damaging stress hormones. Mindful breathing, unplugging from technology and exercising can also help alleviate stress.
Going Beyond Spleen Health Supplements
Spleen health supplements can promote a stronger, healthier spleen, but they aren’t the answer to all your medical concerns. If your physician recommends surgery as a part of your treatment plan, the team at Arizona Premier Surgery will work to ensure you receive the best care and outcome possible. Contact us to schedule an appointment and find out more.
Sources:
https://www.hwcmagazine.com/recipe/feed-your-spleen/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/496504-vitamins-to-help-the-spleen/
https://www.welleum.com/spleen-health-101-the-best-chinese-herbs-for-a-healthy-spleen/
https://physiologicnyc.com/best-food-spleen-health/
https://www.firstforwomen.com/posts/health/foods-for-spleen-health-166944
https://www.webmd.com/heart/astragalus-root-heart-benefits-side-effects
https://pharmeasy.in/blog/licorice-mulethi-uses-benefits-side-effects/
https://www.amrihospitals.in/blog/how-to-nourish-and-cleanse-the-spleen-and-liver