Hypoxia-Inducible Factor

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) is a protein that helps your body respond to low oxygen levels, or hypoxia. When oxygen is scarce, HIF activates and triggers the production of genes that improve oxygen delivery, such as increasing red blood cell production and forming new blood vessels. Normally, HIF is kept inactive when oxygen is plentiful. This process is vital for adapting to environments like high altitudes or healing from injuries. Understanding HIF is important because it plays a role in conditions such as anemia, cancer, and heart disease, where oxygen supply and response are critical.