BY Dr.Manaan Gandhi
MavCure
If your white blood cells count is less than 3,500 than your count is less and you have leukopenia.
White blood cells and immune system together work to prevent infections.
With
low count, your body is at a risk of infection. You should try to
improve your count as it may prove dangerous if it further goes down.
There
are many natural ways of improving the white blood cell count. Keep
reading to find out the best natural home remedies for increase the
white blood cell count.
Why Are White Blood Cells Necessary For The Body?
White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. They are disease-fighting agents of your immune system.
A healthy and fit body has loads of white blood cells that travel to the affected area when an infection strikes your body.
The normal range of white blood cells is between 3500 and 10,000 per microlitre. The condition is called leukopenia.
One
another condition which is a type of leukopenia is characterized by a
deficiency of neutrophil granulocytes. These granulocytes are a specific
type of white blood cells that are the most abundant in the body.
The
common symptoms of low blood count are acute viral infections like cold
and influenza, copper and zinc deficiency, dengue, typhoid, TB,
malaria, and Lyme disease.
The other dangerous condition that
might arise due to very low white blood cell count is aplastic anemia,
lymphoma, and bone cancer. The bone cancer damages the bone marrow and
lymphoma is cancer in the white blood cells.
In short, lack of
white blood cells weakens the immune system and make you more vulnerable
to disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
If
you don’t increase your white blood cells count overtime, it’s
deficiency might increase and your body’s ability to fight diseases
might become further below.
How To Increase White Blood Cell Count Naturally
1.Vitamin E
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Vitamin E for white blood cells
|
This
is a very effective tip to increase the white blood cells count
naturally at home. Vitamin E is the most vital immune and antioxidant
boosters.
The vitamin automatically stimulates the production of
the killer cells which kill the cancer cells and germ cells. Besides
this, it also boosts the production of B-cells that are meant to kill
the harmful bacteria’s present in the body.
Basically, they act to
reverse the decreased functioning of the immune systems, especially in
elderly peoples. A recent study done suggests that the Vitamin E
supplements can decrease the risk of heart attacks by half.
For
increasing the white blood cells count you should include around 60mg of
vitamin E in your daily diet. Nevertheless, it takes efforts and is
difficult to constantly consume this amount daily.
In
case you don’t exercise, smoke, or drink alcohol, you will require
around 40-100mg daily to keep your immune system functioning.
Nevertheless, consuming Vitamin E is always good irrespective of the fact that can increase your white blood cells count.
Some of the food items that are rich in Vitamin E are almonds, spinach, avocado, palm oil, and sunflower seeds.
2.Vitamin C
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Vitamin C for white blood cells
|
Another
immune-boosting vitamin is Vitamin C. Citrus foods are rich sources of
vitamin C. You can consume it easily as it is present at inexpensive
prices.
It can enhance your immune system by raising the white
blood cell and antibodies count that fight against bacteria’s and
viruses and keep infection at bay.
Your body won’t produce or store Vitamin C for good health, you have to consume it from food items.
The recommended amount of Vitamin C that you should daily consume to increase your white blood cells count is 200mg.
There
are a variety of fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, you just have
to include them in your daily diet for best results.
Majorly, all
citrus fruits have loads of vitamin C. A few of them are oranges,
grapefruit, lemons, limes. tangerines, clementines, etc.
3. Vitamin A
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Vitamin a for white blood cells
|
Besides
vitamins C and E, there is one another type of vitamin that can be
effective in improving your immune system. It is vitamin A.
Studies
have proven that daily consumption of vitamin A can significantly
increase the number of white blood cell count in the body. These cells
can further attack the harmful foreign cells and cancer cells in the
body.
As per experts, Vitamin A has potential effects on the
immune processes. Our body can naturally produce Vitamin A on its own
but, a supplement or a recommended dose can further support the immune
fighting ability of the body.
You can find high amounts of vitamin A in beef liver, fish oil, carrots, sweet potato, kale etc.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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omega-3 fatty acids for white blood cells
|
Researchers
have come up with one more super powerful nutrient that is Omega- 3
fatty acid. The acids significantly work on to improve the functioning
of the immune systems by increasing the phagocytes.
The
phagocytes are cells acts as a shield protecting the body from harmful
bacteria’s and cells. They are vital to increase the white blood cells
count and protect the body from a variety of diseases especially
cardiovascular diseases.
Omega-3 fatty acids are present in a
variety of oils like mackerel or salmon oil. Alternatively, it is also
present in cod liver oil and flax oil.
You can substitute your
daily oil with fish oil to enjoy maximum benefits. However, be careful
if you live in a hot region try consuming it alternatively.
5. Yogurt
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Yogurt for white blood cells
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You
must be aware of the multiple advantages of yogurt. Yogurt is a great
source of protein and Vitamin D. And vitamin D is very good for
regulating the functioning of the immune system.
It is very
powerful to enhance the body defense system against a variety of
diseases. In addition to this, it is good for intestinal health too. It
provides probiotics that maintain the digestion and metabolic rate of
the body.
However,
not all kind of yogurt will provide you with the same benefits. Look
for yogurts that have “live and active cultures” printed on their label,
like Greek yogurt.
These cultures may stimulate the immune system
and help your body to fight diseases. More off, opt for plain yogurt
rather than pre-flavored yogurts loaded with sugar. To make them sweet
you can add fresh fruits.
6.Red Bell Peppers
Red bell pepper for white blood cells
Red
bell pepper is the next healthy food when it comes to increasing the
white blood cell count. They have loads of Vitamin A that is around
twice the amount that citrus fruits have.
Not only this, it is a
very good source of beta-carotene too. Both the nutrients are extremely
good for increasing the white blood cell count and maintaining a healthy
glowy skin.
For the best results, try including red bell peppers
in your daily diet raw or cooked. You can even cook it along with your
main course meals if you do not like the raw taste.
7.Vitamins B6, B12, and Folic Acid
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Vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid for white blood cells
|
Vitamins
B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid are good for producing white blood
cells in the body. Experts say the patients who have low white blood
cells count have low levels of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid.
These patients were kept on Vitamin B6 supplements and they showed a significant increase in their white blood cell count.
Some
of the food items that are rich in Vitamin B6 are sunflower seeds,
turkey, chicken, dried nuts, avocados, bananas and spinach.
Some
of the foods that are rich in vitamin B12 are fortified breakfast
cereals, yogurt, low-fat milk, chicken, clams, salmon and trout. Some of
the foods that are rich in folic acid are dried beans, peas, lentils,
broccoli, spinach, okra, and asparagus.
Try to accumulate all
these food items in your daily diet to increase your white blood cell
counts. When going for supplements, consult your doctor about the dosage
requirement.
8.Broccoli
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Broccoli for white blood cells
|
It
is another vegetable with loads of minerals and vitamins. It has a rich
amount of vitamin E, C and A, and various antioxidants.
The nutrients in it are good immune boosters that can improve the functioning of the immune system significantly.
You
can include it in your daily diet raw or cooked. However, you should
cook it minimally to enjoy its nutrients and health benefits.
Experts
say raw broccoli is best as none of the properties is destroyed in this
way. Consume it on a daily basis to get maximum benefits. You can
consume it as much as you want as it has no side-effects.
9. Green Tea
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Green Tea
|
It
has loads of flavonoids and antioxidants. The therapeutic properties in
it make it a good supplement to increase the white blood cell count.
The
tea is not only efficient to make your immune system powerful but also
prevent many life-threatening diseases like cancer and cardiovascular
diseases.
Green Tea acts as an immune modulator to correct immune
dysfunctioning function. It has a good source of L-theanine which
produces bacteria-fighting compounds.
Indulge on to a maximum of
two cups of green tea daily to enjoy maximum benefits. Prefer buying tea
from reputed sources to enjoy maximum health benefits.
Even doctors consider it as a good way to increase the white blood cell count and keep away infections.
10.Sunflower seeds
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Sunflower seeds for white blood cells
|
These
seeds are full of nutrients like phosphorous, magnesium, vitamin E, and
vitamin B-6. A quarter cup of sunflower seeds can give you the
recommended daily dose of vitamin E required by your body.
The
seeds have superb antioxidants which further help to prevent oxidative
stress and keep infections at bay. They also act to regulate and
maintain the immune system functioning.
Try to consume a quarter
cup of seeds daily for good results. You can have it raw or mix them
with your fruits, salads, or drinks to make it taste good.
Final Talk
Increasing
the white blood cell count is always good as it keeps you healthy and
makes your body more potent to fight infections.
If you are
advised to increase your white blood cell count, you can indulge in any
of the natural ways given above. All of them are light and extremely
safe and natural.
Nevertheless, if you are going to take these
nutrients in mineral form instead of having it from the natural sources,
it’s always to consult a doctor regarding the dosage amount.
Do
give a try to the natural ways if you have low white blood cell count.
However, you should follow it regularly to enjoy the maximum benefits.
