Platelets are a normal part of the human bloodstream and they’re important for keeping us healthy. There have been rumours that goat milk is a good way to increase your platelet count, but is this really true?
Scientists are still studying goat milk, but many doctors and nutritionists recommend it for a low platelet count. It contains Vitamin A and Vitamin B12, which are helpful for forming proteins. From the current research, there does seem to be a link between goat milk and a higher platelet count.
Goat milk has been a major staple of the human diet for years, and between 65%-72% of all global milk production comes from goats (Source). However, despite this, the full nutritional benefits of this liquid haven’t been fully discovered. Read on to learn more about the benefits of goat milk, the science of platelet counts, and ways to increase your platelet count.
Goat Milk Benefits
Goat milk is very popular and widely used around the world. Goats are usually easier to care for compared to cows, and their milk has a variety of different benefits.
Easier to Digest
One of the major benefits of goat milk is that it’s easier for our bodies to break down and digest. There are a host of vitamins and minerals mixed into this beverage and it’s important that we absorb as much nutrition as possible.
There’s also a good chance that you will be able to drink goat milk, even if you’re lactose-intolerant. A recent study found that 1 in 4 babies who were allergic to cow’s milk could drink goat milk without issue. Doctors can test you to determine whether or not it’s safe for you to drink goat milk.
Heart Healthy
Goat milk can also help decrease cholesterol and lower blood pressure. This is great for your heart health! Although goat milk does have a relatively high fat content, it’s mainly medium-chain fatty acids. This type of fat is quickly converted to energy and isn’t stored as body fat.
This kind of energy-rich fat prevents cholesterol from building up and is a good alternative to other foods and drinks that serve the same purpose.
Good Source of Vitamin A and Vitamin B12
Another benefit of goat milk is the high amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A is great for fighting many forms of cancer and it can also prevent you from developing cataracts.
Vitamin A is also an important part of platelet generation. This vitamin helps the body to form new proteins, which is a large part of maintaining a healthy platelet count.
A deficiency of vitamin B12 is directly linked to a low platelet count. B12 is great for building and growing your platelet count and goat milk is one of the best sources for it.
High Concentration of Nutrients
Goat milk is chock full of helpful vitamins and minerals. It contains them in an easily digestible format as well, which is great for people who need a quick and easy way to improve their nutrition.
Goat milk is a great source of:
- Protein
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
The video below explains some of the additional benefits of goat milk.
Platelet Function And Low Platelet Count
So now that we know that goat milk can help with platelet production… what exactly are platelets and why is it important to have a good platelet count?
Platelets are tiny components of our bloodstream. They’re called platelets because they resemble flat plates when they aren’t active. These particles help to stop bleeding in our bodies and are one of the primary elements that form scabs.
When we get cuts or scrapes and begin to bleed, platelets congregate near the wound. When they activate, platelets develop tentacle-like growths that enable them to spread out and bind to each other. Over time, they form a protective barrier that’s known as a scab, which stops the bleeding.
The ideal platelet count is between 150,000-450,000 platelets per mcL of blood (source). This amount of platelets will be able to sustain your body without issue and stop bleeding in a good amount of time.
If people have platelet counts that are below 150,000, they have a condition that’s known as thrombocytopenia. This is often indicative of deeper underlying health problems. People with low platelet counts may experience heavy and unexpected nosebleeds. They can also bleed from the gums or experience longer menstruation periods.
Low platelet counts can be dangerous and potentially even life-threatening. The skin is more prone to breaking as well, and scabs will not be able to form quickly. Excessive bleeding is a major sign of a low platelet count and you should visit your doctor immediately.
Additional Solutions For Low Platelet Count
Goat milk is a popular choice for increasing platelet count. It’s not currently 100% clear what’s in this milk that makes it so great for platelets, but it’s probably at least partly due to the high protein content and concentration of vitamin A.
A variety of foods and beverages can help raise platelet production within the body. Basically, you need a good amount of liquids, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the top nutrients are listed below, as well as some of the best foods
Vitamin B12
- Clams
- Trout
- Sardines
- Crab legs
- Oysters
- Beef liver
- Eggs
- Goat milk
- Fortified B12 cereals
Vitamin B9
- Asparagus
- Orange juice
- Spinach
- Peanuts
- Kidney beans
- Black-eyed peas
- B9 fortified cereals
Vitamin K
- Eggs
- Liver
- Natto
- Broccoli
- Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens tc.)
- Pumpkin
- Soy beans
- Brussel sprouts
- Pork chops
- Prunes
- Kiwi
Vitamin C
- Plums
- Cherries
- Peppers
- Broccoli
- Parsley
- Kale
- Pineapples
- Mangoes
- Tomatoes
- Cauliflower
Iron
- Liver from beef or chicken
- Lentils
- Mussels
- Oysters
- Beef
- Sardines
- Turkey
- Ham
- Veal
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Pumpkin seeds
- Pomegranate
Papaya Leaf Juice
Papaya is a popular fruit, but its leaves are becoming increasingly well known for their powerful health benefits. The papaya leaf is something of a superfood and it contains trace elements of vitamin A, C, E, K, and B. It also has a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, and iron.
You can buy papaya leaf juice here.
Wheatgrass Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a naturally occurring substance in most plants and it contains a high concentration of vitamins and nutrients. Wheatgrass chlorophyll can easily be harvested and turned into a drinkable juice. This beverage contains protein, calcium, lysine, vitamin C, and trace elements of many other vitamins and minerals.