Updated at: 05-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Plasma, the transparent, straw-colored liquid component of blood, contains important proteins. Albumin and globulin, two types of plasma proteins, are essential for blood clotting and infection resistance. Donated plasma can be used to make life-saving treatments for people with rare illnesses whose bodies lack the ability to perform these vital functions. Donating plasma requires you to keep your protein intake at a healthy level.

The following are some of the ways that you can increase your protein levels for plasma donation.

Protein Levels and the Plasma Donation Process

The following are some of the ways that you can increase your protein levels for plasma donation.

How to Get Protein Levels Up for Plasma Donations

Here are some suggestions for boosting your protein stores before a plasma donation.

Donating plasma on the day of the test requires TP levels at or above the minimum threshold. However, if this happens to you, there are steps you may do to boost your protein levels and get back to donating plasma.

3 Tips to Increase Your Protein Levels for Plasma Donation

1. Consume Animal Proteins

Eating animal protein is a wonderful way to enhance the protein level in your blood. Red meat is one of the best sources of animal protein, but it also contains a lot of saturated fat, which could be bad for your heart. Selecting leaner cuts of red meat, such as sirloin steak and filet mignon, can help you meet your protein needs without compromising your health. Beef, hog, and lamb, on the other hand, have a lower protein level per serving, at 23 and 22 grams, respectively.

Other types of high-protein meat include pork, chicken, and fish. In comparison to chicken (24 g) and salmon (17 g) per ounce, pork (3 oz) delivers 23 g of protein.

2. Consume Dairy and Eggs

Milk and eggs are another excellent source of protein. Eggs include 6 grams of protein per large egg, and low-fat ricotta and cottage cheese have a lot of protein without a lot of fat. A cup of low-fat ricotta has 20 grams of protein, whereas a cup of big curd cottage cheese has 23 grams of protein.

3. Consume Plant-Based Protein

Vegans and vegetarians can still get enough protein by eating a variety of plants. Protein can be found in tofu, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

4 Ways to Get Protein Levels Up for Plasma Donations

Plasma Donation Process

Vegans and vegetarians can still get enough protein by eating a variety of plants. Protein can be found in tofu, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Plasma Donation Protein Level

Those who choose to forego eating animals can still get enough protein by eating more beans and other plant foods. Protein can be found in tofu, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Animal Sources of Protein

Those who choose to forego eating animals can still get enough protein by eating more beans and other plant foods. Protein can be found in tofu, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

People who choose to avoid eating animals can still get enough protein by eating a variety of different vegetables and beans. Protein can be found in tofu, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Eggs and Dairy

Even if you don’t eat meat or other animal products, you can get all the protein you need from plants. Protein-rich foods include spinach, kale, almonds, seeds, and tofu.

Plant-Based Protein

If you are vegetarian or vegan and want to boost your protein consumption before donating plasma, you can do so. Soybeans have 22 grams of protein per cup, as reported by the USDA. Consuming moderate amounts of tofu, beans, nuts, seeds, potatoes, and dark leafy greens is a good way to get protein from plants.

Other Protein Products

Protein bars and premade protein smoothies are great on-the-go options for getting more protein. Protein shakes can be made at home, too. Protein powders come from dairy products like whey and casein. You can find alternatives to dairy protein in pea and soy if lactose intolerance is an issue.

Everything You Need to Do Before and After Donating Plasma

How to Prepare for Your Plasma Donation

What to Eat Before Donating Plasma

What to Expect before you Donate Plasma | BPL Plasma

To boost your protein intake on the fly, try a protein snack or a prepackaged protein smoothie. You can also make your own protein shakes at home. Protein powders like whey and casein are derived from dairy products. If you have trouble digesting lactose, you may want to investigate alternatives like pea or soy protein.

Donors of blood, convalescent plasma, and platelets may be familiar with a pre-donation vitals check. Besides checking your vital signs, we’ll also take a look at your hematocrit and total blood protein levels. Knowing your hematocrit is important since donating blood temporarily eliminates a portion of your red blood cells. We will check your hemoglobin levels to ensure you have a sufficient amount before you donate blood. Maintaining a healthy hematocrit requires a diet high in iron.

Iron-Rich Foods
  • Dried apricots and other fruits used to make raisins are also on hand.
  • Products made from wheat or fortified with iron (like pasta, cereal, or rice)
Protein-Rich Foods

Eating the correct amount of protein can help you feel more energetic and ready to donate plasma (or slightly higher). Use this nutrition calculator to figure out how many grams of protein you need before your appointment.

If you want to maximize the health benefits of your meal, opt for lean meats like chicken or fish.

Some foods that are rich in protein include:

  • Beans
  • Shrimp
  • Eggs
  • Yogurt
  • All kinds of nuts, seeds, and nut butters
Vitamin C-Rich Foods

To optimize the absorption of non-heme iron, eat foods rich in vitamin C. This will allow you to consume more iron overall. This is crucial information for anyone considering donating a plant-based diet. Some iron-rich foods are also rich in vitamin C. Examples include spinach, broccoli, kale, peas, and strawberries. You can also receive a healthy dose of vitamin C by eating bell peppers, oranges, tomatoes, kiwis, and papayas before your consultation.

What Not to Eat Before Donating Plasma

A day before your donation, try to stay away from high-sodium, high-fat meals and beverages such French fries, pizza, chips, candy, ice cream, and soda. Lipemia is a condition in which your blood cells have an unusually high number of lipids (fats), and eating a high-fat diet is harmful to your health in general. This can result in a “milky” appearance in your plasma, which might affect the results of blood tests. You may be prevented from donating if your donation cannot be properly tested.

Avoid eating or drinking anything with a lot of sodium or fat the day before you donate blood. This includes foods like French fries, pizza, chips, sweets, ice cream, and soda. An unusually high concentration of lipids (fats) in the blood cells (lipemia) is just one of the many negative health effects of a high-fat diet. The findings of blood tests could be impacted if your plasma takes on a “milky” appearance for this reason. Donations that cannot be tested adequately may be rejected.

What to Drink Before Donating Plasma

Donating plasma requires that the donor be well hydrated. Donating plasma is a good way to replenish your fluids, as it is about 90% water.

It’s recommended that you hydrate yourself with 9-13 cups of water in the 24 hours before giving blood. The American Red Cross suggests chugging an extra 16 ounces, or two cups, of fluid right before your appointment. Drinks that are too cold or too hot can affect your internal body temperature and undermine your efforts to stay hydrated. Instead, go for water that has been allowed to reach room temperature.

The best use of your time would be to drink plenty of water. Since water makes up the vast majority of plasma, getting your recommended daily intake of liquids before donating will speed up the process.

In place of water, some blood donation centers suggest you have a couple of cups of low-sugar fruit juice. Orange juice has been shown to increase serum vitamin C levels.

Donors of plasma should refrain from consuming caffeine and alcohol in the hours leading up to their appointment so as to maintain a healthy fluid balance and heart rate.

Other Ways to Prepare

Plasma donation should involve zero waiting time. A few easy steps can be taken to improve the donor experience when donating plasma. The following is a list of what we think would work best:

  • Having a good night’s sleep before a big event is crucial.
  • providing amusement in the form of reading materials, visual media, or auditory media
  • Put some thought into bringing a sweater or jacket if you’re concerned about the temperature.
  • When you wear sleeveless clothes, you may quickly and easily push up your sleeves.

Please rest at home if you have a fever or are otherwise ill. We’ll be here waiting for you whenever you feel up to it.

Staying Healthy After Your Plasma Donation

Donating plasma might leave you feeling tired and thirsty, so it’s important to take care of yourself afterward.

  • Avoid rushing through the process of waking up.
  • Consume something light to eat within two hours before your scheduled visit.
  • Do not stop drinking water. The American Red Cross recommends that donors drink an extra 4 cups of fluids in the 24 hours following a blood donation.
  • Gift-giving should be followed by at least four hours without alcohol.
  • Donors should wait an hour before smoking or using any other form of nicotine after giving blood.
  • For the remainder of the day, refrain from doing anything energetic, particularly heavy lifting.

Nutrition Tips for Regular Plasma Donors

The basic rule is that daily donors should consume a diet heavy in protein and iron. When it comes to fatty meals, the same rules apply before and after a donation. Please allow yourself at least 24 hours before your next visit to indulge in a special dinner.

Those who have experienced iron deficiency in the past may benefit from taking multivitamins and minerals. Iron supplementation may be part of a larger treatment plan that also includes changes to your food and way of life; talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.

Best Foods to Eat After Plasma Donation - Canadian Plasma Resources

It’s A Wrap!

Do you want to know, “How can I increase my protein levels to give plasma?” If so, please read this post carefully so that you can fully grasp the strategies we’ve given. Examine our writings on the topic of organ and embryo donation to get additional information. Those of you who saw this through to the end, we appreciate it.