Produced in the bone marrow, the WBCs (white blood cells) are the condition-fighting agents of our immune system. A healthy body has an ideal amount of WBCs that travel to the infected organs whenever an infection strikes. They are also the “tiny doctors” of our body. Thus, learning how to increase white blood cell count in babies and adults is really a mission for everyone to live healthier!
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List Of Best Tips On How To Increase White Blood Cell Count Quickly To Try Out!
In this article, Healthy Guide will show you some of the best tips people can make use to increase the white blood cell count that can be used in both adults and babies. Thus, if you or anyone else around you is looking for ways on how to increase white blood cell count quickly and naturally at home, you should not keep your eyes out of this article right now.
CONTENTS
Before learning some of the best tips on how to increase white blood cell count in babies and adults naturally at home, let’s discover some basic knowledge of the white blood cells inside the human body.
The normal range of white blood cell count in the blood is about from 4,500 to 10,000 per microliter. When the white blood cell count drops to under 4,500, it is a cause for concern. This disease is named ‘leukopenia’.
Another disease known as ‘neutropenia’ is a type of leukopenia and is characterized by a lack of neutrophil granulocytes, a certain type of white blood cells that are the richest in the body.
Some common trigger factors of leukopenia are acute viral infections such as an influenza or a cold, zinc and copper deficiency, dengue, typhoid, tuberculosis, malaria, and Lyme condition.
Other trigger factors are aplastic anaemia; cancers; for example, bone cancer, which can damage the bone marrow, and lymphoma – one type of cancer that starts in the WBCs; radiation and chemotherapy therapy, which disrupt bone marrow activity; and the auto-immune diseases, such as lupus.
The deficiency of adequate white blood cell count can weaken the body’s immune system, making people more susceptible to disease-causing viruses and bacteria.
If the deficiency is not cured on time, these conditions will strengthen over time, rendering your body unable to fight the conditions at all.
1. Copper
This is the first tip on how to increase white blood cell count in adults and babies naturally at home that people should learn to make use for good!
Healthy adults have between 50 and 80 mgs of copper in blood. A deficiency of copper can cause a lot of disorders, such as leukopenia.
A study [1] published in Blood in 2002 notes that neutropenia and leukopenia is usually misdiagnosed as ‘myelodysplastic syndrome’ and not related to a deficiency of copper.
A later study [2] published in Current Opinion in Hematology in 2012 further stated the same and suggested that patients suffering from leukopenia must be tested for the lack of copper, as it is usually a leading trigger factor of the disease.
Foods high in copper are seafood, such as lobster, oysters, and crab; mushrooms; kale; seeds like pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds; nuts, such as walnuts, brazil nuts, pine nuts and pistachios; pulses, avocados and dried fruits. Copper supplements are also a choice.
Note: Consult your doctor for the exact recommendation for daily doses of these supplements/foods suitable for your health issues and any prescribed medication.
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2. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Vitamins B6, B12 And Folic Acid
Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 as well as folic acid are all responsible for producing white blood cells in the body.
A study [3] published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports in 2011 notes that a patient with neutropenia reported greatly decreased levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. Oral vitamin B6 supplementation can increase the levels of neutrophil white blood cells and corrected her/his disease.
Severe neutropenia can lead to cancer. The study further suggested a thorough screening for deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 in neutropenia patients for focused cure.
Foods high in folic acid are lentils; dried beans and peas; citrus fruits; leafy greens, such as spinach, broccoli, asparagus and okra. Folic acid supplements are also a great choice.
Foods high in vitamin B12 are low-fat milk, fortified breakfast cereals, chicken, yogurt, clams, trout, and salmon.
Foods high in vitamin B6 are turkey, sunflower seeds, dried nuts, chicken, bananas, avocados, and spinach.
Note: Consult your doctor for suggested daily doses of these supplements/foods suitable for your health diseases and any prescribed medication. Keep reading the article for more tips on how to increase white blood cell count in babies and adults to apply at the comfort of your own home.
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3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Dietary omega-3 fatty acids increase the phagocytes production of the body, a type of white blood cells that engulf harmful foreign entities, such as bacteria, entering the bodies through a process known as ‘phagocytosis’.
In addition, a study [4] published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology in 2013 claims that fish oil intake can help to promote the activity of a type of white blood cells named B cells.
A study [5] published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention in 2001 claims that the levels of white blood cells in female volunteers increased as they took dietary fatty acids.
Food items with the highest omega-3 fatty acid content are fish oil, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, salmon, walnuts, spinach, oysters, and soybeans.
4. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Echinacea
Echinacea is an immune-boosting, well-researched, Native American herbal remedy.
Unlike vaccines that focus on a specific condition and antibiotics that directly attack bacteria, Echinacea can help to stimulate the activity of the white blood cells that help to fight conditions and ailments through a process named ‘phagocytosis’.
A study [6] published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics in 2005 claims that 11 healthy persons (between 26 and 61 years old) who consumed 2 echinacea tablets every day for 2 weeks experienced a rise in the total number of white blood cells and stimulated activity of leucocytes.
Note: Patients who are suffering from diabetes or liver disorders should consult their doctors before consuming this herbal remedy. Consult your doctor if you are on any kind of medication before taking this as a tip on how to increase white blood cell count in babies and adults. If you take blood thinners, take echinacea with caution because it could induce bleeding.
Learn More: 15 Tips How to Maintain a Healthy Heart & Prevent Heart Disease Fast
5. Astragalus
Also known as “huang chi” or “huang qi”, astragalus is a Chinese herbal remedy derived from the ‘astragalus membranaceus’ plant. It possesses terrific white blood cell-boosting properties.
A study [7] published in Phytotherapy Research in 2006 claims that as patients took astragalus separately and in the mixture with other herbal remedies for 7 days, the activity of the immune cells was promoted.
While astragalus does not clear cancer from its roots, it can greatly enhance the immune systems of cancer patients by boosting phagocytosis in the existing white blood cells.
A study [8] published in Cancer Letters in 2006 claims that the astragalus membranaceus plant can help to exhibite the T-cell-boosting properties in patients suffering from cancer. T-cells are very important immunity-boosting white blood cells of the body.
Astragalus is available as capsule or tablet supplements, as alcohol extract (a tincture) and prescribed by some doctors in an injectable form.
Note: Before taking this herbal remedy, consult your doctor for any possible drug interactions and side effects.
6. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw is a South American vine discovered in the rainforests in the Amazon that can help to possess incredible immune-boosting properties.
A study [9] published in Phytomedicine in 2001 claims that when twelve healthy tested adults were administered daily doses of cat’s claw water extract supplements for twelve weeks, they experienced the increasing production of ‘leukocytes’.
Researchers also have confirmed the efficacy of cat’s claw intake in patients who had a low white blood cell count post chemotherapy.
Nevertheless, cancer patients should consult their doctors before taking this herbal remedy, as it is known to have boosted the survival of leukemic cells in lab conditions.
Note: Consult your doctor before making use of this herbal remedy as a tip on how to increase white blood cell count in adults and babies if you are on any kind of medication. If you take blood thinners, make use of cat’s claw with cautions because it may induce bleeding.
7. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Regulated Exercise
Exercise can boost the immunity greatly. It can help to promote blood circulation, such as white blood cells, to many different parts of the body.
Nevertheless, researchers have discovered that overexerting yourself through exercise (marathon running or intense gym routines) proves counterproductive and reduce the amount of white blood cells inside the body.
A study [10] published in the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology in 2003 claims that young males who underwent rigorous military training for 5 – 7 days saw an initial increase and subsequent reduction in the number of monocytes and neutrophils, while other white blood cells like eosinophils and lymphocytes reduced throughout.
The neutrophil count, particularly, improved greatly in the initial days, but it plummeted as the exercises turned to more intense.
This goes to prove that while exercise is very necessary for overall health, it should not be overdone.
8. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Zinc
This is also one of the best tips on how to increase white blood cell count quickly naturally that we would like to show in this article and encourage readers to make use at home.
It is clear that zinc is a rock-hard immune-booster. As there were few researches on the correlation between the reduction of white blood cells and zinc deficiency, a rat research was done in 2009 and published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology.
After taking a zinc-deficient diet for 1 month, the rats showed reduced levels of granulocytes and monocytes (types of white blood cells). This research creates a foundation for the same results in humans, although more proofs are needed.
A lack of zinc is directly associated with a lot of immune system related disorders, such as cancer. A study [11] published in Proceedings of the Association of the American Physicians in 1997 claims that zinc-deficient subjects had lower levels of T-cells, a type of white blood cells largely responsible for overall immunity.
Thus, a regular zinc consumption might boost the production of immune-boosting T-cells inside the body.
9. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Good Hygiene
If you have a low white blood cell count, it is imperative to practice good hygiene. This is a must to boost your immune system.
If you are practicing any of the above-mentioned measures to boost the white blood cell count, your hygiene routines can make or break your efforts.
Poor hygiene can increase your risks of infections, further suppressing the immune system and reducing the white blood cell production of the body.
Make sure to wash your hands on a regular basis, avoid raw and unpasteurized foods, and wash, peel and cook your veggies really well before taking them.
10. Yoga’s Cobra Pose
While every form of yoga can help to improve circulation and boost the production of white blood cells inside the body, the bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) in specific activates the thymus gland located behind the breastbone. The thymus gland can help to produce condition-fighting T-cells.
- Lie on the stomach, stretch the legs out and lightly put your hands underneath your shoulders with the elbows folded upward and the palms down.
- Press your navel, thighs and the tops of the feet into the ground.
- Inhale and raise your upper body slowly (abdomen, chest, and head) with the support of the arms, bringing the shoulder blades close together.
- Maintain that position, stretch the tailbone and the head crown further back.
- Hold this pose within about fifteen to thirty seconds, exhale, lower your torso back to the ground and place your hands beside you.
- Rest and repeat the exercises five to ten times.
Keep reading the article for more tips on how to increase white blood cell count quickly naturally at home for good!
11. Garlic
Garlic [12] is discovered in almost every cuisine all over the world. It adds a little zing to foods and it is very necessary for our health. Early civilizations recognized its power in fighting infections. Garlic can also aid a lot in lowering blood pressure and slowing down the hardening of the arteries, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The immune-boosting properties of garlic seem to come from a heavy focus of sulfur-containing compounds, known as ‘allicin’.
12. Yogurt
Using yogurt is also among the most interesting and effective tips on how to increase white blood cell count quickly and naturally at home that you should try at home!
Look for yogurts that contain “active and live cultures” printed on the label, such as Greek yogurt. These cultures can help to boost the immune system to aid a lot in fighting diseases. Try to take plain yogurts rather than the kinds that are pre-flavoured and jam-packed with sugar. You can add healthy fruits instead to sweeten plain yogurt yourself.
Yogurt can also be an excellent source of vitamin D, so try to opt for brands fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D can aid a lot in regulating the immune system and is considered to improve the body’s natural defenses against conditions.
13. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Almonds
When it comes to fighting and preventing off colds, vitamin E tends to take a backseat to vitamin C. Nevertheless, vitamin E is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. It is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it needs the presence of fats to be absorbed properly. Nuts, including almonds, are jam-packed with the vitamin and also have healthy fats. ½ serving, which is about 46 whole, shelled almonds, offers nearly 100% of the suggested daily amount of vitamin E.
14. Green Tea
Both black and green teas are jam-packed with flavonoids, one type of antioxidant. Where green tea really excels is in its levels of EGCG (‘epigallocatechin gallate’), another powerful antioxidant. EGCG has been proven to boost immune function. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the epigallocatechin gallate. Green tea, on the other hand, is not fermented and steamed, so the EGCG is preserved.
Green tea is also an excellent source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine can help a lot in the germ-fighting compounds production in your T-cells. This is actually one of the best tips on how to increase white blood cell count in babies and adults naturally at home that you should not skip at all costs!
15. Poultry
As you are sick, chicken soup is really a feel-good food with a placebo influence. It can aid a lot in improving the signs and symptoms of a cold and can also aid in protecting you from getting sick in the first place. Poultry, such as turkey and chicken, is very rich in vitamin B6. About 3 ounces of light chicken and turkey meat has 40% to 50% of your daily recommended amount of B6.
Vitamin B6 is a very crucial player in a lot of the chemical reactions that occur in the body. It is also important to the formation of healthy and new red blood cells. Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones has chondroitin, gelatine, and other nutrients that are effective for gut healing and the body’s immunity.
16. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are jam-packed with nutrients, such as magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamin B6. They are also extremely rich in vitamin E, with 82% of the daily recommended amount in just ¼ cup serving.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It is crucial in maintaining and regulating immune system function. Other food items with high amounts of vitamin E, including dark leafy greens and avocados [13]. For more tips on how to increase white blood cell count in adults and babies, keep reading the following sections.
17. Shellfish
Shellfish is not what jumps to mind for many people who are trying to improve their immune system, but some types of shellfish are jam-packed with zinc. This is actually one of the most useful tips on how to increase white blood cell count in adults and babies at home naturally that everyone can make use right from today for good!
Zinc does not get as much attention as many other minerals and vitamins, but our bodies need it so that our immune cells can work as intended.
Varieties of shellfish that are very abundant in zinc are:
- lobster
- mussels
- crab
- clams
Keep in mind that you do not want to have more than the daily recommended amount of zinc in your diet. For adult males, it is 11 mgs, and for females, it is 8 mgs. Too much zinc actually inhibits immune system function.
18. Papaya
Papaya is another fruit that is jam-packed with vitamin C, and the use of papaya is also among the best tips on how to increase white blood cell count quickly and naturally that people should not look down yet try making use as soon as possible for good. You can find 224% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in just 1 papaya. Papaya also has a digestive enzyme known as papain that contains anti-inflammatory impacts.
Papaya has decent amounts of folate, potassium, and B vitamins, all of which are very good to the overall health.
19. How To Increase White Blood Cell Count – Turmeric
You may know turmeric as a very important ingredient in a lot of curries. However, this bright yellow, bitter spice has also been used for a long time all over the world as an anti-inflammatory in curing both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In addition, a study shows that high levels of curcumin, which gives turmeric its distinctive colour, can aid a lot in decreasing the exercise-induced muscle damage.
20. Vitamin C
This is the last tip on how to increase white blood cell count quickly and naturally at home that you should not look down yet try to make use as soon as possible for good!
One of the top vitamins that can help to boost the immune system is a jiffy. There have been more studies done on the impacts of vitamin C and the human immune system than any other nutrient or vitamin around. Vitamin C is contained naturally in almost all fruits and is very cheap and affordable in supplement form. In fact, you can find vitamin C fortified just about anything if you look around a bit.
Vitamin C improves your immune system by increasing your body’s production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria. It also increases the levels of interferon, the antibody that coats the surfaces of your cells and stops viruses from entering them to begin with.
After reading this interesting article, we hope that all of my readers can find some of the best solutions helpful to increase white blood cell count. Actually, all of the tips on how to increase white blood cell count in adults and babies that we mentioned above are safe and effective in improving the immune system without causing any unwanted side effects. Therefore, you can feel secure when applying any of these home remedies. Now, if you know other effective tips that help to boost the immune system, you can share them with us by leaving your comments in the section below.
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