Importance of regular blood donation

Donating blood regularly has proved beneficial not only for the recipient but also the donor. It is helpful for the vital organs, and it reduces risk for chronic diseases such as cancer and stroke.

For certain treatments like chemotherapy, blood is required on a daily basis, whereas victims of accident may require up to 100 units of blood transfusion. In India, blood shortage is more than 2 million pint and counting.

This World Blood Donor Day, here are 9 reasons why you should donate blood:

1. Reduce risk of heart attacks and liver ailment
Donating blood regularly is beneficial to prevent and reduce heart attacks and liver ailment. The risk of heart and liver related problem is caused by the iron overload in the body. Donating blood helps in maintaining the iron level in the body and thus reduce those risk.

2. Lower the risk of cancer
Cancer is the most feared and deadly disease. Blood donation helps in lowering the risk of cancer. By donating blood regularly the iron level in the blood is balanced and the risk of cancer-related to the liver, lungs, and intestine gets lower.

3. New blood cells
Once we donate blood, the body tries to restore the blood loss. This helps in the production of the new blood cells and maintain good health.

4. Reduced risk of hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a disease that occurs due to increase in the absorption of iron by the body. Blood donation helps in reducing iron overload in the body and prevent Hemochromatosis.

5. Maintain Weight
It is recommended to donate blood for those who are overweight. Regularly donating blood helps in weight loss and burn fat up to 650 calories.

6. Helps prevent premature ageing
While donating blood, you not only lose weight but it also helps in reducing stress. Stress is one of the reasons that triggers premature ageing. Blood donation helps in reducing stress on your mind and body. Also, keeps the skin tight and wrinkle-free.

7. Speeds up healing process
The body tries to adjust to the loss of red blood the cells we donate blood, these adjustments also help in accelerating the wound healing process.

8. Lower cholesterol level
Blood contains iron, if the iron in blood is overloaded it can increase the chances of blockage in blood vessels. Blood donation can help to reduce the amount of iron in the blood thus helps in lower cholesterol.

9. Free Medical checkup
Every donor goes through a routine checkup prior to donation. Body temperature is checked along with blood pressure, hemoglobin and pulse. Blood is tested for 13 infectious disease like HIV, West Nile Virus, hepatitis B and C and Syphilis. It gives you a cost free quick look into your health.