There are many benefits of blood donation since each time you give blood you remove some of the excess iron accumulated in your body due to its overconsumption. High blood iron levels in the body can stimulate the formation of free radicals, which are responsible for causing damage to body cells and tissues. Free radicals can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Basically, iron accelerates the oxidation of cholesterol, which is harmful for the arteries and can eventually lead to cardiovascular disease. Hemochromatosis caused by excess accumulation of iron in the tissues can damage many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases.
Regular blood donation helps regulate the level of iron in your body and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among young people since it is beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. You can also burn extra calories and reduce your cholesterol level by donating blood since the count of blood cells decreases in your body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. Basically this stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system.
If you would like to become a life saver, but don’t know where to give blood, there are many Blood donation centres and hospitals across the UK including the national blood service. Before you could donate blood, your haemoglobin level, blood pressure level and body weight will be tested. If your haemoglobin level is low, you will not be allowed to donate blood.
In addition, your blood will also be tested for five diseases, namely, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. If you are not suffering from any of these diseases, you will be allowed to donate your blood. You can give blood every four months provided that you are in good health between the ages of 17 and 65, and weighing at least 7st 12Ib.
Most people voluntarily donate blood as an act of charity, as it gives a wonderful feeling of saving someone's life gives. Sometimes people donate blood for money and other incentives. What ever the reason, it is always good to donate blood not only because it helps save a life but it also helps blood donors feel an inner satisfaction of accomplishment. The blood that you donate is stored in blood banks, to be subsequently used for blood transfusions. SearchMe4 is a local information and online business directory that contains the contact details of the UK blood donor services.
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