A Study Revealed How Spaceflight Diminishes More Red Blood Cells

A first-of-its-kind study indicated blood cells considerably decrease during space missions.

The human body is adapted to conditions on Earth, but as for space, where microgravity is in question, astronauts endeavor to accommodate themselves to harsh living conditions to conduct long-term scientific experiments.

Published in Nature Medicine, the research that investigated 14 astronauts who attended six-month missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) revealed that the space environment causes 54 percent more red blood cells to be destroyed. This means 3 million wracked cells per second and is overmuch compared to what is happening to the human body here, on Earth. On this habitable planet, the human body generates and destroys 2 million red blood cells per second.

Red blood cells are destroyed and it is known as space anemia

As part of the study, five out of the astronauts were diagnosed with anemia following their landing. To note, the situation for space in which more red blood cells are destroyed is known as space anemia. Normally, during a condition of anemia, you do not have adequate red blood cells, which are vital to carry enough oxygen to your tissues.

ESA

“Space anemia has consistently been reported when astronauts returned to Earth since the first space missions, but we didn’t know why,” said Dr. Guy Trudel, lead author of the investigation and professor at the University of Ottawa. “Our study shows that upon arriving in space, more red blood cells are destroyed, and this continues for the entire duration of the astronaut’s mission.”

We all know that the evolution process has prepared humankind to live in harmony on Earth. Previously, there was a widespread belief that space anemia was a short-term case. In the new study, however, a more disruptive and implacable circumstance emerged.

According to Dr. Trudel, “This is the best description we have of red blood cell control in space and after return to Earth.” He went on to say, “These findings are spectacular, considering these measurements had never been made before and we had no idea if we were going to find anything. We were surprised and rewarded for our curiosity.”

Meanwhile, to see how to draw blood in space, you can watch ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s video embedded just below.

Scientists hope to find what causes that health problem

The researchers involved in that study hope to find what causes space anemia that badly affects space-weary astronauts. If the scientists can achieve their goals, it will contribute to efforts to treat not only returning astronauts but also other patients on Earth, Dr. Trudel explained.

“Thankfully, having fewer red blood cells in space isn’t a problem when your body is weightless,” he said. “But when landing on Earth and potentially on other planets or moons, anemia affecting your energy, endurance, and strength can threaten mission objectives. The effects of anemia are only felt once you land, and must deal with gravity again.”

The good news is that space anemia-hit cells of an astronaut gradually return to normal levels within three to four months after completion of a mission.

As the ISS environment decreases astronauts’ healthy red blood cells during their space missions, comprehensive research prior to manned missions to Mars is required to be sure about crews’ situation.

Elon Musk who seeks to colonize Mars in the near future expressed his concern regarding population collapse on Earth and said he was worried he would fail to land enough humans on the Red Planet.