This article will brief you on the easy ways to increase white blood cell count. The recommended levels of white blood cells help to boost your immune system. The risks of developing bacteria, viruses, or infections in your body will decrease if you have enough white blood cells as they resist any outside material from entering your body. This post will cover the causes of low or high white blood cells that may lead to infections and disturbs your immune system. Read the article throughout to learn the importance of white blood cell count.
White Blood Cell Count
White blood cell (WBC) counts are part of your immune system. WBCs are also known as leukocytes. They help to protect your body against infection and other diseases. Your body tends to increase your white blood cell count if you experience illness to prevent you from bacteria, viruses, or other harmful substances.
WBCs flow through your blood vessels and tissues. They identify the position of infection and work as a leading agent to inform other white blood cells to defend your body from outside attack. When the group of WBCs reaches the location of the infection, they produce antibodies (proteins) to combine with the virus and damage it.
Types of White Blood Cell
Five types of white blood cells are available in your blood.
Neutrophils – They prevent your body against infection by destroying bacteria, outside harmful substances, and fungi.
Eosinophils – They first detect and damage parasites (organisms), and cancer cells and help basophils in response to allergies.
Basophils – They develop an allergic response such as sneezing, runny nose, and coughing.
Monocytes – This helps defend your body against infection by removing all damaged cells.
Lymphocytes – Lymphocytes include T cells, B cells, and killer cells (natural) to protect your body against infections that spread easily. They develop proteins to fight against viruses.
How To Check White Blood Cell Count?
A white blood cell (WBC) count test helps to determine WBCs in your blood. A WBC test is often conducted with a complete blood count (CBC), a routine test that diagnoses several conditions that may show health problems.
A white blood cell can detect infection within your body. A healthcare provider will use the WBC test to understand undiagnosed medical conditions that include deficiency of the immune system, blood disorders, and autoimmune diseases. A WBC test also monitors how well the treatment is going for chemotherapy, radiation method, and other therapies.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend a white blood cell differential test that gives a complete report of WBC. A WBC differential test helps to see white blood cells separately and can determine whether you have a recommended range of WBCs.
The Procedure of White Blood Cell Count Test:
A White Blood Cell (WBC) count test is a blood test that requires your blood sample. A healthcare provider will insert a small needle into your vein to collect a small blood sample amount in a test tube. You will experience slight pain or discomfort during the time of injection of the needle into your vein. A blood test generally finishes within five minutes.
Normal Levels of White Blood Cell Count
The normal WBC level shows that you have no problems in your immune system. The recommended white blood cell count is about 4000 to 11000/microliters. The test result may vary depending on age, gender, medical history, and others. Following are the recommended levels of WBC for each age group:
- Adult men – 5,000 to 10,000
- Adult women – 4,500 to 11,000
- Children – 5,000 to 10, 000
The above white blood cell level may also change in pregnant, newborns, and children below two. The WBC test result may also be slightly different among laboratories. It is because each lab may use unique methods or techniques for measurement.
What Causes Low White Blood Cell?
A low white blood cell count in the blood is known as leukopenia, which is a medical problem.
The causes of low WBCs are listed below:
- Autoimmune disorders
- HIV/AIDS
- Liver and spleen diseases like expansion in the spleen.
- Damaged bone marrow
- Extreme infections
- Use of medications, including antibiotics and chemotherapy.
- Lupus (A condition in which your immune system damages its tissues and organs)
- Lymphoma (A type of cancer in the lymphatic system0
- Malaria
- Excess alcohol intake
- Radiation therapy
A high white blood cell count is known as leukocytosis. This condition develops due to
- Allergies
- Injury
- Pregnancy
- Infections like tuberculosis or sepsis
- Fever
- Damaged tissue
- Heart attack
- Stress
- Surgery
- Asthma
- Usage of medication that includes corticosteroids, epinephrine, and NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs.
Your healthcare provider may ask for additional tests to find the cause of the abnormal white blood cell count. You may need a white blood cell count test if you experience these symptoms of low WBC level, such as fever, sweating, pain in the head and body, and chills. High WBC does not show any symptoms in your body. A healthcare provider may also ask to order a CBC to see the WBC levels in your blood.
Foods Help To Increase White Blood Cell Count
Many natural ways and foods are present to increase white blood cell count if you experience low WBCs. Low white blood cell count decreases the function of your immune system, which allows bacteria, viruses, and other infections in your body.
Following are the foods and ways that keeps white blood cell under normal range:
1. Fruits: You can increase white blood cell count by adding vitamin C to your diet. Fruits that contain vitamin C include:
- Guava
- Papaya
- Kiwi
- Citrus
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Grapefruit
- Strawberries
2. Vegetables: Vitamin C is also found in many vegetables. Following are the vegetables that may help to boost WBCs:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Red peppers
- Mustard greens
- Kale
- Cauliflower
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Foods that possess a high amount of omega 3 such as:
- Soybeans
- Walnuts
- Salmon
- Fish oil
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseeds
4. Yogurt: Yogurt contains high probiotics that help to fight against bacteria. It is an excellent source to maintain WBCs levlevels. Vitamin D is present in yogurt, which increases your immunity.
Get a recommendation with a professional healthcare to increase white blood cell count.
5. Vitamins-Rich Foods: Intake of foods that have enough folic acid, vitamin B6, and B12 are important for white blood cell count. These include:
- Turkey
- Bananas
- Dried nuts
- Avocados
- Chicken
- Low-fat yogurt and milk
- Leafy green vegetables
- Dried beans and peas
- Citrus fruit
6. Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds contain nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins B-6 and E. Vitamin E helps to keep your immune system balanced. High vitamin E amounts are available in avocados and dark green leafy vegetables.
7. Lean Protein: Proteins help to develop new WBCs. Lean meats, including fish, eggs, and seafood have high protein amounts.
8. Zinc: Zinc can increase white blood cells. Foods that include zinc are beef, turkey, meat, crabs, fortified cereal, and beans.
9. Green Tea: Green tea contains antioxidants that help the body fight against infections and viruses. You can take green tea as it possesses amino acid that increases the development of a fighting mechanism against infection.
Conclusion:
A complete blood count or white blood cell test will recommend to you if you have symptoms of low WBCs. Your provider will give you treatment by monitoring your white blood cell levels. You can take the mentioned foods if you want to increase white blood cells count in natural ways. You can schedule an e-consultation with a doctor if you already have taken the test for white blood cells and want to discuss your test result.
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