PHYSICAL WELLNESS

oxygen’s delivery team

RED BLOOD CELLS

Red blood cells (RBCs) are like tiny delivery trucks that carry oxygen throughout your body. They are the most common type of blood cell and give blood its red color.

  • Carry oxygen from your lungs to tissues and organs

  • Bring carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled

  • Help maintain a healthy pH balance in the blood

  • Support overall energy by fueling cells with oxygen

RED BLOOD CELL BASICS

Common Terms + Simple Definitions

Here’s a mini glossary for red blood cell-related words you’ll see throughout the site:

Red Blood Cell (RBC) - Blood cell that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide

Hemoglobin - Protein in RBCs that binds oxygen and makes blood red

Erythrocyte - Another name for a red blood cell

Anemia - Low RBC count or hemoglobin, leading to fatigue

Erythropoiesis - Process of making red blood cells in bone marrow

WHAT RED BLOOD CELLS WORK WITH

RED BLOOD CELLS + OTHER SYSTEMS

  1. Hemoglobin → Protein inside RBCs that binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide

  2. Plasma → The liquid highway that transports red blood cells

  3. Lungs → Where RBCs pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide

  4. Tissues & Organs → Where RBCs drop off oxygen and collect waste gases

  5. Bone Marrow → Where red blood cells are produced

HealthY RED BLOOD CELLS…

Healthy RBCs mean your body has the oxygen it needs to function well. Eating iron-rich foods (like leafy greens, beans, and meat), getting enough B12 and folate, and supporting bone marrow health can all keep red blood cells strong and plentiful.