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Do smokers produce more red blood cells then non-smokers?

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BACKGROUND: Smoking is a leading cause of premature death. Red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids; therefore, the effect of oxygen on RBC membranes is more prominent than on other body tissues. The attachment of peroxidants to RBC membranes can result in hemolysis. read more

Smoking is a leading cause of premature death. Red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids; therefore, the effect of oxygen on RBC membranes is more prominent than on other body tissues. The attachment of peroxidants to RBC membranes can result in hemolysis. read more

cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide. This binds to haemoglobin (in red blood cells) to form carboxyhaemoglobin which is an irreversible reaction. The carboxyhaemoglobin then cannot bind oxygen. So the effect of carbon monoxide is to reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells. read more

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