Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Running Ultra-Marathons Harms Your Red Blood Cells, Study Says

Participating in ultra-marathons can cause damage to your <span>red blood cells</span>' flexibility and hamper their oxygen-carrying capacity, a study suggests. 

A study published in the American Society of Hematology’s journal <span>Blood Red Cells &amp; Iron</span> notes that extreme forms of exercise may harm, rather than support, overall health.

In the case of ultra-marathons, runners experience breakdown of normal red blood cells during races. Over time, their red blood cells become less flexible and potentially reduce their ability to efficiently carry oxygen, nutrients and waste products throughout the body. 

<span>Travis Nemkov</span>, associate professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the study’s lead author said of the results: “Participating in events like these can cause general inflammation in the body and damage red blood cells. 

“Based on these data, we don’t have guidance as to whether people should or should not participate in these types of events; what we can say is, when they do, that persistent stress is damaging the most abundant cell in the body.”

Red blood cells transport oxygen and waste throughout the body and must be flexible enough to squeeze through small blood vessels. When red blood cells become inflexible or rigid, they lose their ability to deform and navigate through the body's smallest vessels, leading to impaired oxygen delivery, blockage of blood flow, and rapid destruction by the body's filtration system.

This can lead to <span>low hemoglobin</span> and anemia which can pave the way for diseases like <span>Sickle Cell Disease</span> (SCD), thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and, in some cases, the "storage lesion" of blood in transfusion banks.

<strong>READ MORE: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/ultra-marathoner-sufiya-sufi-the-rajasthani-woman-who-set-5-guinness-world-records-article-153570309" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Ultra Marathoner Sufiya Sufi Runner: The Woman Who Set 5 Guinness World Records</a> 

Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Adequate hemoglobin levels are essential for keeping organs and tissues properly supplied with oxygen. Without enough of it, the body begins to struggle to meet its basic energy needs. 

Low hemoglobin is usually identified through a blood test. It is most often measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which checks different components of the blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets, as per Healthline.

While exact reference ranges can vary slightly between laboratories, healthy adult hemoglobin levels usually fall within the ranges listed below. These values are different for babies, children, and teenagers: 

<ul><li><span rel="noindex">Normal Hemoglobin</span> Count in Grams per Deciliter (g/dL) | Normal Hemoglobin Count in Grams per Liter (g/L)</li><li>Adult Males: 13.8–17.2 | 138–172</li><li>Adult Females: 12.1–15.1 | 121–151</li></ul>

Any reading below these ranges in adults is considered low hemoglobin and suggests that oxygen delivery in the body may be reduced, as per Mayo Clinic.

<h2>Is Low Hemoglobin Ever Dangerous?</h2>

Low hemoglobin is not always an emergency. In many cases, it develops gradually and can be managed with treatment. That said, very low levels can be dangerous. A hemoglobin level below 5.0 g/dL has been linked to serious complications, including heart failure and even death. Levels under 6.5 g/dL may be considered life-threatening and require urgent medical care.

One of the most common reasons for low hemoglobin is anemia. Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. The most frequent type is iron-deficiency anemia, which develops when the body lacks enough iron to produce hemoglobin.

Other forms of anemia include pernicious anemia, which occurs when the body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12, and hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are produced.

<strong>Low hemoglobin can also be caused by:</strong>

<ul><li>Blood loss or internal bleeding</li><li>Certain cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers that spread to the bone marrow</li><li>Chronic kidney disease</li><li>Deficiencies of folate or vitamin B12</li><li>Hypothyroidism</li><li>Liver disease</li><li>Poor nutrition or malnutrition</li><li>Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)</li><li>Sarcoidosis</li><li>Sickle cell disease and other inherited blood disorders</li><li>Systemic lupus erythematosus</li><li>Thalassemia, a genetic condition that reduces hemoglobin production</li><li>Excess fluid in the body</li><li>Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can also lower hemoglobin levels, particularly in adults over the age of 65.</li></ul>

<h2>What Does Having Low Hemoglobin Feel Like?</h2>Some people with mildly low hemoglobin may not notice any symptoms at first. Others may begin to feel unwell as levels drop further or remain low over time. Common signs and symptoms include:

<ul><li>Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, sometimes fainting</li><li>Muscle weakness</li><li>Ongoing fatigue or low energy</li><li>Pale or washed-out skin</li><li>Frequent headaches</li></ul><h2>How Is Low Hemoglobin Treated?</h2>

Treatment depends entirely on what is causing the low hemoglobin. A healthcare provider will first identify the underlying reason before recommending treatment. Possible treatment options include:

<ul><li><strong>Blood transfusion:</strong> If hemoglobin is low due to heavy blood loss, a transfusion may be needed to restore levels quickly.</li><li><strong>Vitamin supplements</strong>: When nutritional deficiencies are the cause, iron, folate, or vitamin B12 supplements are often prescribed. Hemoglobin levels usually begin to improve within six to eight weeks.</li><li><strong>Intravenous (IV) therapy:</strong> In cases where iron or B12 levels need to be raised rapidly, IV infusions may be recommended.</li><li><strong>Bone marrow transplant:</strong> This may be required when low hemoglobin is linked to certain cancers or bone marrow disorders.</li></ul>

If a long-term illness is responsible, managing that condition becomes the key part of treatment, alongside monitoring hemoglobin levels regularly.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

red blood cells

Low Hemoglobin

normal hemoglobin

ultra marathon

travis nemkov

sickle cell disease

american society of hematologys

blood red cells & iron

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Participating in ultra-marathons can cause damage to your red blood cells' flexibility and hamper their oxygen-carrying capacity, a study suggests. A study published in the American Society of Hematology’s journal Blood Red Cells & Iron notes that extreme forms of exercise may harm, rather than support, overall health.In the case of ultra-marathons, runners experience breakdown of normal red blood cells during races. Over time, their red blood cells become less flexible and potentially reduce their ability to efficiently carry oxygen, nutrients and waste products throughout the body. Travis Nemkov, associate professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the study’s lead author said of the results: “Participating in events like these can cause general inflammation in the body and damage red blood cells. “Based on these data, we don’t have guidance as to whether people should or should not participate in these types of events; what we can say is, when they do, that persistent stress is damaging the most abundant cell in the body.”Red blood cells transport oxygen and waste throughout the body and must be flexible enough to squeeze through small blood vessels. When red blood cells become inflexible or rigid, they lose their ability to deform and navigate through the body's smallest vessels, leading to impaired oxygen delivery, blockage of blood flow, and rapid destruction by the body's filtration system.This can lead to low hemoglobin and anemia which can pave the way for diseases like Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and, in some cases, the "storage lesion" of blood in transfusion banks.READ MORE: Ultra Marathoner Sufiya Sufi Runner: The Woman Who Set 5 Guinness World Records What Is Low Hemoglobin?Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Adequate hemoglobin levels are essential for keeping organs and tissues properly supplied with oxygen. Without enough of it, the body begins to struggle to meet its basic energy needs. Low hemoglobin is usually identified through a blood test. It is most often measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which checks different components of the blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets, as per Healthline.While exact reference ranges can vary slightly between laboratories, healthy adult hemoglobin levels usually fall within the ranges listed below. These values are different for babies, children, and teenagers: Normal Hemoglobin Count in Grams per Deciliter (g/dL) | Normal Hemoglobin Count in Grams per Liter (g/L)Adult Males: 13.8–17.2 | 138–172Adult Females: 12.1–15.1 | 121–151Any reading below these ranges in adults is considered low hemoglobin and suggests that oxygen delivery in the body may be reduced, as per Mayo Clinic.Is Low Hemoglobin Ever Dangerous?Low hemoglobin is not always an emergency. In many cases, it develops gradually and can be managed with treatment. That said, very low levels can be dangerous. A hemoglobin level below 5.0 g/dL has been linked to serious complications, including heart failure and even death. Levels under 6.5 g/dL may be considered life-threatening and require urgent medical care.What Causes Low Hemoglobin?One of the most common reasons for low hemoglobin is anemia. Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. The most frequent type is iron-deficiency anemia, which develops when the body lacks enough iron to produce hemoglobin.Other forms of anemia include pernicious anemia, which occurs when the body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12, and hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are produced.Low hemoglobin can also be caused by:Blood loss or internal bleedingCertain cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers that spread to the bone marrowChronic kidney diseaseDeficiencies of folate or vitamin B12HypothyroidismLiver diseasePoor nutrition or malnutritionMyelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)SarcoidosisSickle cell disease and other inherited blood disordersSystemic lupus erythematosusThalassemia, a genetic condition that reduces hemoglobin productionExcess fluid in the bodyCancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can also lower hemoglobin levels, particularly in adults over the age of 65.What Does Having Low Hemoglobin Feel Like?Some people with mildly low hemoglobin may not notice any symptoms at first. Others may begin to feel unwell as levels drop further or remain low over time. Common signs and symptoms include:Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, sometimes faintingMuscle weaknessOngoing fatigue or low energyPale or washed-out skinFrequent headachesHow Is Low Hemoglobin Treated?Treatment depends entirely on what is causing the low hemoglobin. A healthcare provider will first identify the underlying reason before recommending treatment. Possible treatment options include:Blood transfusion: If hemoglobin is low due to heavy blood loss, a transfusion may be needed to restore levels quickly.Vitamin supplements: When nutritional deficiencies are the cause, iron, folate, or vitamin B12 supplements are often prescribed. Hemoglobin levels usually begin to improve within six to eight weeks.Intravenous (IV) therapy: In cases where iron or B12 levels need to be raised rapidly, IV infusions may be recommended.Bone marrow transplant: This may be required when low hemoglobin is linked to certain cancers or bone marrow disorders.If a long-term illness is responsible, managing that condition becomes the key part of treatment, alongside monitoring hemoglobin levels regularly.