The Multifaceted Benefits of Donating Blood

America is experiencing a severe shortage of blood needed for countless medical emergencies and diseases. I will be honest, I don’t think I would be getting nominated for any selfless citizen award, but there is something I’ve recently started focusing on in my health and longevity journey: blood donations. Ever since I learned that my O negative blood type allows recipients of any blood type to receive my donation, I felt it was the least I could do for someone who would immediately switch places with me if possible. 

In recent years, it has become apparent to me that donating blood is not only an ethical act but also a healthy one. Numerous studies and articles have highlighted the alarming increase of microplastics found in our blood. While it may be nearly impossible to avoid microplastics in our highly processed world, there might be a way to reduce them. Today, I want to explore the benefits of donating blood, including how it may reduce the amount of microplastics in our bodies and keep us healthier for longer.

Health Benefits of Blood Donation

Improved Cardiovascular Health

Regular blood donation has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that donating blood lowers blood viscosity and alters lipid profiles, which reduces the risk of heart disease. For instance, blood donation is associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, while increasing HDL cholesterol levels (Bukar et al., 2020).

Reduced Oxidative Stress

Blood donation can reduce oxidative stress by removing oxidants and increasing antioxidant levels in the body. A study found that after blood donation, there was a significant decrease in levels of oxidative stress markers and an increase in antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (Yunce et al., 2016).

Lower Iron Levels

Regular blood donation helps in maintaining healthy iron levels. Excess iron in the blood can lead to conditions such as hemochromatosis, which increases the risk of heart disease and other health issues. Donating blood reduces iron overload, which is beneficial for overall health (Domen, 2005).

Reduced Cancer Risk

Some research suggests that lower iron levels due to blood donation may reduce the risk of cancer. This is because iron can catalyze the formation of free radicals, which can damage cells and increase the risk of cancer (Meyers et al., 1997).

Ethical Benefits of Blood Donation

Altruism and Social Responsibility

Blood donation is often viewed as an act of altruism and social responsibility. Donating blood voluntarily without any remuneration embodies the principle of helping others in need, which fosters a sense of community and solidarity (Snelling, 2014).

Moral Obligation

Some ethical arguments suggest that individuals have a moral obligation to donate blood, especially when the benefits to recipients are significant and the costs to donors are minimal. This perspective challenges the notion that blood donation is merely a supererogatory act and instead posits it as a moral duty (Beal & Aken, 1992).

Solidarity and Trust

Voluntary blood donation fosters trust and solidarity within communities. It is seen as a public good that relies on the collective effort of individuals to maintain a stable and safe blood supply, which is essential for medical emergencies and surgeries (Tissot et al., 2013).

Microplastics in Human Blood and the Potential Role of Blood Donation

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in size. Their ubiquitous presence in the environment has raised concerns about their potential entry into the human body and health impacts.

They have been found in various human tissues, including blood, raising concerns about their potential health effects. Microplastics can induce oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and other health issues (Ragusa et al., 2021). While there is no evidence that blood donation can reduce microplastics in the body, this process may help by filtering out some of these contaminants from the bloodstream. Further research is needed to explore this possibility and its implications for human health (Yang et al., 2023).

Here’s an explanation of how microplastics can end up in our blood.

Pathways of Microplastic Entry into the Human Body

Ingestion:

• Food and Water: Microplastics can contaminate food and drinking water. They have been detected in seafood, table salt, and bottled water. Once ingested, microplastics can cross the gut barrier and enter the bloodstream.
• Processed and Packaged Foods: Food items packaged in plastic or processed using plastic-containing equipment can also be sources of microplastics.

Inhalation:

• Airborne Particles: Microplastics are present in the air, especially in urban environments. They can be inhaled and enter the respiratory system. From the lungs, they can pass into the bloodstream.
• Household Dust: Indoor environments also have microplastics, particularly in household dust, which can be inhaled, especially by children.

Dermal Exposure:

• Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Products like exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and makeup often contain microbeads, a type of microplastic. They are absorbed through the skin or enter the bloodstream through cuts and abrasions.

Potential Health Implications

Once in the bloodstream, microplastics can travel to various organs and tissues, potentially leading to adverse health effects. These include:

• Inflammatory Responses: The immune system may react to microplastics, causing inflammation.
• Oxidative Stress: Microplastics can induce oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage.
• Potential Toxicity: Microplastics can carry toxic substances, including additives and adsorbed environmental pollutants, which can cause further harm

Conclusion

Donating blood offers a multitude of health benefits for donors, from improved cardiovascular health to lower cancer risks. Ethically, it embodies altruism, social responsibility, and moral obligation, contributing to a healthier and more compassionate society. Additionally, with the growing concern over microplastics in human blood, donations could be a potential strategy to mitigate this health issue. As we continue to understand the benefits associated with blood donation, it is clear that this simple act holds profound significance for both individuals and society at large.

Citations

Bukar, A., Tosan, E., Obi, O., Akinola, A., Waziri, G., Thomas, M., Kevin, A., Fredrick, C., Osakue, O., Erifeta, G., Osadolor, H., & Olaniyan, M. (2020). The inconspicuous health benefit of blood donation. Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine, 5, 63-67.

Domen, R. (2005). Ethical issues in transfusion medicine: the safety of blood and hematopoietic stem cell donation. Current Hematology Reports, 4(6), 465-469.

Meyers, D., Strickland, D., Maloley, P. A., Seburg, J. K., Wilson, J., & McManus, B. (1997). Possible association of a reduction in cardiovascular events with blood donation. Heart, 78, 188-193.

Ragusa, A., Svelato, A., Santacroce, C., Catalano, P., Notarstefano, V., Carnevali, O., Papa, F., & Matta, M. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. Environment International, 146, 106274.

Snelling, P. C. (2014). Challenging the Moral Status of Blood Donation. Health Care Analysis, 22, 340-365.

Tissot, J., Garraud, O., Danic, B., Cabaud, J., & Lefrère, J. (2013). Ethics and blood transfusion. Transfusion Clinique et Biologique, 20(4), 423-439.

Yang, D., Lu, Y., Wang, H., Shen, W., Zhao, Z., & Wang, C. (2023). Microplastics in human blood: current knowledge and future directions. Science of The Total Environment, 803, 149864.

Yunce, M., Erdamar, H., Bayram, N., & Gok, S. (2016). One more health benefit of blood donation: reduces acute-phase reactants, oxidants and increases antioxidant capacity. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 27, 653-657.

Prata, J. C. (2018). Airborne microplastics: Consequences to human health? Environmental Pollution, 234, 115-126.