What Are The White Blood Cell Counts?
Average Normal Range Of WBCs – 3,500-10,500 white blood cells per microliter of blood. Low WBC Count – Less than 4,500 white blood cells per microliter of blood. High WBC Count – More than 11,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood.
WBCs are of different types. The number of leukocytes in the blood is an indicator of a disease. Hence, the white blood cell count is an important component of the complete blood count.
Types Of White Blood Cells
Neutrophils: Fight infections by ingesting microbes like bacteria and fungi. Eosinophils: Fight large parasites like intestinal worms. These cells also secrete IgE antibodies to combat allergens. Basophils: Secrete histamine during allergic reactions. Lymphocytes: Lymphocytes consist of three cells – B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. B cells recognize viruses and release antibodies against them, while T cells and NK cells fight cells infected by viruses and cancer. Monocytes: Monocytes convert into macrophages and ingest cell debris.
Let us now understand how white blood cells protect the body from foreign body invasion.
How Do White Blood Cells Help Us?
White blood cells are the body’s first line of defense against infection. They protect our body from infections by fighting off bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and other foreign invaders. These cells also facilitate the production of antibodies and help destroy infectious agents as well as cancer cells. Fluctuations in the number of white blood cells can occur due to several reasons. You may notice an increase in your white blood cell count during exercise, while the count may drop while you are resting. However, in some cases, the count might drop abnormally. There could be various factors at play, which we have discussed below.
What Causes Low White Blood Cell Count?
White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones. A drop in the WBC count could be a result of the following:
Viral infections Congenital disorders Cancer Autoimmune disorders Severe infections that require a lot of white blood cells Medications like antibiotics Poor nutrition Alcohol abuse
A low WBC count that is ineffective in fighting infections results in a condition called leukopenia. What are its signs?
Signs And Symptoms Of Low White Blood Cell Count
These include:
High fever Chills Sweating
If your WBC count has dropped because of an infection, you may notice the following symptoms:
Swelling and redness Mouth sores A sore throat Severe cough Shortness of breath
A low WBC count is not always critical unless it drops so low that the cells cannot protect your body anymore from infections. In such a situation, certain home remedies can help.
How To Increase White Blood Cell Count Naturally
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is often used to treat stress and anxiety and promote sleep (1). It also boosts the WBC count, thus enhancing your overall immunity. Essential oils like sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, and cypress oil also have similar effects in improving the production of white blood cells (1). You Will Need
20 drops of lavender oil 60 mL of any carrier oil (sweet almond or jojoba oil)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this once daily.
2. Garlic
Garlic possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties (thanks to the presence of allicin) that boost your immunity by stimulating the production of various white blood cells, which include lymphocytes, eosinophils, and macrophages (2). You Will Need 1-2 teaspoons of crushed or minced garlic What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Consume garlic regularly.
3. Spinach
Spinach is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. It also exhibits antioxidant properties (3). These properties can help in increasing the number of white blood cells. You Will Need A portion of cooked spinach What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Consume spinach daily.
4. Papaya Leaves
Papaya leaves contain acetogenins, which are important compounds that boost your immunity by increasing WBC count. Papaya leaf juice serves as an excellent remedy for dengue fever (4). You Will Need
A bunch of papaya leaves Water (as required)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
5. Vitamins
Vitamins A, C, E, and B9 play a major role in improving your white blood cell count. Vitamin A plays a special role in increasing lymphocytes, whereas vitamin C is known to boost your overall immunity (5), (6). Vitamin B9 is necessary for the production of neutrophils, and vitamin E promotes the production of natural killer cells (7), (8). Consume foods, like spinach, carrots, cheese, meat, eggs, fish, sweet potato, and citrus fruits. You can also take vitamin supplements after consulting your doctor.
6. Yogurt
The probiotics in yogurt boost immunity. They also have stimulating properties that help increase WBC count (9), (10). You Will Need 1 bowl of probiotic yogurt What You Have To Do Consume a bowl of probiotic-rich yogurt. How Often You Should Do This Do this at least once daily.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 supplements have immunomodulatory properties that boost your immunity by increasing WBC count (11). You Will Need 1000 mg of omega-3 supplements What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Take these supplements only once daily.
8. Zinc
Zinc can help restore the normal functioning of white blood cells, thereby boosting immunity (12). You Will Need 8-11 mg of zinc supplements What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this daily.
9. Broccoli
The sulforaphane (SFN) in broccoli can help regulate your white blood cell count and boost your immune system (13). You Will Need 1 cup of cooked broccoli What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this daily.
10. Selenium
Dietary intake of selenium has a positive effect on the production of white blood cells, especially lymphocytes and neutrophils. Selenium also enhances your immunity against infections and diseases (14). You Will Need 200 mcg of selenium supplement What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Consume the selenium supplement once daily.
11. Kiwi
Kiwis contain powerful antioxidants and are also rich sources of potassium and vitamins C and E. All these nutrients play an important role in enhancing your immunity and increasing the number of white blood cells (15). You Will Need 1-2 kiwis What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Have 2 to 3 kiwis daily for maximum benefits.
12. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are rich sources of antioxidants and vitamin C, both of which enhance immune function (16). They also help increase WBC count. Some citrus fruits that are easily available are oranges, kiwis, strawberries, lemons, and grapefruits.
13. Noni Fruit
One of the major nutrients in noni fruit is vitamin C, which is why this fruit works well in enhancing immunity. It exhibits stimulating properties that help increase the count of T and B lymphocytes (17). You Will Need 30-60 mL of unsweetened noni juice What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Have noni juice every day.
14. Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and have immunity modulation properties (18). Hence, they may help boost your immune system. You Will Need 1 red bell pepper What You Have To Do Cut it into small slices and toss them raw in your salad. Enjoy the crunch! How Often You Should Do This You can eat them on a daily basis.
15. Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds contain phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamin B 6. These nutrients and antioxidants boost white blood cells to fight infection and keep your body functioning properly (19). You Will Need A handful of raw or salted sunflower seeds What You Have To Do Toss them in your salad, or sprinkle on sautéed vegetables or munch on them. How Often You Should Do This You can do this daily. We strongly recommend you begin treatment and also use the above remedies if you happen to notice a fall in your WBC count. Not restoring a low WBC count to its optimum levels can lead to complications.
Complications Of Insufficient White Blood Cells
You become more prone to microbial and parasitic infections. If you have cancer, your treatment may be delayed because of your weak immune system. In severe cases, the condition may result in the death of the individual.
How long does it take to increase white blood cells? It can take anywhere from a few days to weeks to increase white blood cells with proper treatment and remedies. How many white blood cells are there in the human body? In normal adult bodies, there should be about 4,000-10,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. Any variation in this count is a sign of an underlying infection in your body. What foods to avoid if you have a low white blood cell count? Avoid uncooked food, raw meat and sushi, and unpasteurized beverages as they may increase your risk of contracting infections and further lower your white blood cell count. What vitamin deficiency reduces white blood cell count? Studies suggest that deficiency of vitamins B and D can be linked to a weaker immunity (and a low white blood cell count) (20), (21). Hence, consuming a diet (or supplements) rich in these vitamins can boost your immune function. Consult a doctor for more information on the right diet and supplements. Does a low white blood cell count make you tired? No, a low white blood cell count itself is not associated with fatigue. However, if you continue experiencing increased fatigue, it may be the symptom of an underlying issue that needs medical attention.
