Question 1

how is donating blood good for your health?

Accepted Answer

Not much: Its good for your spirit. Blood has its own way of replenishing itself. 
All blood cells have limited life span, after which, the spleen degrades them naturally.

Question 2

if blood donation is good for health?

Accepted Answer

Yes!: Donating blood is one of the best things men can do for their health. This is because iron is a pro-oxidant, increasing risk of heart disease & cancer. Donating blood reduces our iron load. One study found men who donate blood once a year had an 88% lower risk of heart attack! 
it also lowers risk of several types of cancer!
see http://blog.Lef.Org/2010/07/health-benefits-from-donating-blood.Html.

Question 3

could you tell me what are good things to eat prior to blood donation?

Accepted Answer

~1hr before...: ...A light snack and prehydrate with about 1/2-1 liter of your preferred beverage. Shouldn't donate w/full stomach w/heavy meal, as may get nausea just as likely as if on empty stomach. Few days before, iron-rich foods (red meat if so inclined), dark greens, good nutritious food so body has what it will need to start to replace lost unit. Continue after for 1-2 days while replenishing loss.

Question 4

any health benefits to donating blood?

Accepted Answer

Yes , for some: Although there are no risks in donating blood, if you are healthy. Some individuals have medical conditions in which donating blood benefits their disease.

Question 5

does donating blood affect pregnency  or health of the baby?

Accepted Answer

Blood donation: Donating blood is not recommended to be done during a pregnancy. During your pregnancy you need to make sure that you have good level of iron , folate (folic acid) and have good nutrition level for the mother and fetus. When you donate blood, your iron will be decreased and if you do it during pregnancy you are at risk to develop anemia and iron deficiency-which will affect the growth of fetus and mother.

Question 6

is there any harm in donating  blood after exercising? exercise includes a mix of cardio & weights . no health problems of any sort.

Accepted Answer

No, just make sure: You are well hydrated before donating blood.

Question 7

donating blood vs plasma, which does more good?

Accepted Answer

Either, red "better": While whole blood donation can help 3 people (red blood cells, plasma, platelets), plasma can be used in different ways to help as well + can be donated more frequently than the 56-day wait w/whole blood. We need more regular donors of both, so go for it!

Question 8

what are some good/bad things about donating blood?

Accepted Answer

Good&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;bad: Good: you save 1-4 lives in 45 minutes. You turn over your body's iron. You lose 1 pound (briefly). You get a cookie. You are a hero!
Bad: hmmm. Needle poke hurts for a second. Tiny risk of local reaction/irritation to vein. That's really about it.

Question 9

how soon can you donate plasma after donating blood?

Accepted Answer

56 days: Whole blood donation starts the 8 week donation time-out. Plasma or platelet donations have much shorter intervals, but whole blood is 56 days.

Question 10

when donating blood is it better to do a whole blood donation or apheresis?

Accepted Answer

Apheresis: Is associated with less dizziness since they give you some of the blood volume back so you may feel a bit better vs whole blood donation.

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Doctor answers about:

How is donating blood good for your health

A member asked:

How is donating blood good for your health?

A member asked:

If blood donation is good for health?

A member asked:

Could you tell me what are good things to eat prior to blood donation?

A member asked:

Any health benefits to donating blood?

A member asked:

Does donating blood affect pregnency or health of the baby?

A member asked:

Is there any harm in donating blood after exercising? exercise includes a mix of cardio & weights . no health problems of any sort.

A member asked:

Donating blood vs plasma, which does more good?

A member asked:

What are some good/bad things about donating blood?

A member asked:

How soon can you donate plasma after donating blood?

A member asked:

When donating blood is it better to do a whole blood donation or apheresis?

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