But our body can eventually replenish them back on Earth with the help of bone marrow fat, according to new research.
“We found that astronauts had significantly less fat in their bone marrow about a month after returning to Earth,” said Professor Guy Trudel, a researcher at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa.
“We think the body is using this fat to help replace red blood cells and rebuild bone that has been lost during space travel.”
This study builds on the team’s previous research which showed that during space travel, astronauts’ bodies destroyed 54% more red blood cells than they normally would on Earth, resulting in what is known as space anemia.
“Thankfully, anemia isn’t a problem in space when your body is weightless, but when landing on Earth and potentially on other planets or moons with gravity, anemia would affect energy, endurance, and strength and could threaten mission objectives,” Professor Trudel said.
“If we can find out exactly what’s controlling this anemia, we might be able to improve prevention and treatment.”
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