Every time you experience a common cold or other symptoms of infection, it is an indication of a low WBC count. Also known as leukocytes, white blood cells form 1% of your blood but have a very important to play when it comes to your immune health. Formed in the human bone marrow, the white blood cells remain in your lymphatic system until they are needed to fight a virus, bacteria, or any contaminant that finds its way into your body. The higher your WBC count, the lesser the risk of viral infection. In this post, we are going to discuss how to increase WBC count naturally. Keep reading.
What is a white blood count (WBC)
The human body produces more than a billion white blood cells daily to detect and kill pathogens that might enter your body through air, food, and water. The normal range of white blood cells is between 4500 and 10500 per ml of blood. If your WBC count is less than 4500, it is considered a low white blood cell count, indicating a high risk of infectious diseases. Likewise, if it exceeds 11,000, you have higher than average white blood cells.
White blood cells are considered the “first line of defense,” developing antibodies and protecting your body against foreign invaders that might infect your healthy cells. The number of cells in your body may fluctuate every day, in fact, as frequently as every second. It usually happens when you perform strenuous exercise, eat something that affects your WBC count, or rest a lot. The small fluctuation is normal. However, if the WBCs drop abruptly and in large numbers, this might be a cause of concern.
Types Of White Blood Cells
Before we get to how to increase leukocyte count, it is important to understand different types of white blood cells, so you know which one has what job. The purpose of these cells is to destroy the pathogens in your body, but each type of WBC has a different role.
â— Neutrophils: A large portion of the white blood cells found in the human body are neutrophils. These are responsible for detecting the presence of invaders in your body and alerting the other white blood cells to fight the contaminants. They kill most types of bacteria and fungi by ingesting them.
â— Eosinophils: Eosinophils fight major worms and parasites, especially intestinal parasites. They also kill cells that might develop into cancer if left unaddressed. In addition, eosinophils also deal with allergic responses.
â— Basophils: Although they just account for 1% of the WBCs produced in our bone marrow, Basophils alert your white blood cells of infection. They also secrete histamine, a chemical that helps you cope with allergies, especially ones that can trigger asthma.
â— Lymphocytes: The most important type of white blood cell in our bodies is lymphocytes. Comprising B Cells, T Cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells, lymphocytes do not only alert your body of the foreign invaders but produce antibodies that help fight these infections. They kill the cells infected with the foreign particles, including cancer.
â— Monocytes: Commonly known as vacuum cleaners, monocytes account for 5% of the white blood cells produced by your body. They ingest bacteria and eliminate dead cells, thus cleaning your body.
What Causes Low White Blood Cell Count?
If the white blood cells go below 4000 cells / MCL, it indicates a problem. Usually, it is a sign of a severe infection. The condition is called leukopenia. It is a sign that your body is producing fewer than normal WBCs or there is a bacterial, viral, or other forms of infections that are destroying these cells faster than they are produced. Put it this way, the bacteria in your body are multiplying at a rate that they are damaging your immune system. Cancer, for example, can spread rapidly within and outside the organs, thus destroying the white blood cells and attacking your immune system. Some babies are born with low white blood cells, which is absolutely normal. Others might develop a low WBC count due to an underlying health condition. Here are some common causes.
â— Radiation therapy
â— Cancer
â— Damage to your bone marrow
â— Autoimmune diseases, like lupus, in which your body treats the healthy cells in your body as invaders and kill them.
â— A serious bacterial or fungal infection, like tuberculosis
â— Cancer medication and certain antibiotics
â— Liver diseases
â— Rheumatoid arthritis
â— Deficiency of essential vitamins
â— HIV
â— Crohn’s disease
To diagnose leukopenia, your doctor will order a complete blood count test. People with a history of auto-immune disorders and a serious infection must take a blood count test every few months to ensure their WBCs are normal.
Signs And Symptoms Of Low White Blood Cell Count As mentioned above, your WBC count might drop or increase due to several factors. Practicing heavy physical exercise is one of them. Regardless of the cause, people with leukopenia might experience the following symptoms:
â— Repeated fevers
â— Infections that occur frequently and last longer than usual
â— Repeated skin infections
â— Mouth sores and ulcers
â— Lung infection
â— Problems in your bladder, which may cause difficulty urinating or frequent urination
â— Chills and sweating
â— Shortness of breath
A low white blood cell count isn’t always a big problem unless the number has dropped to a point where these cells can’t protect your body from infection. If you notice these symptoms, get to a hematology specialist immediately and get your complete blood count test done. Based on your reports, they will recommend the further test if they suspect an underlying condition.
In the meantime, we have shared some easy and effective tips on how to increase WBC count in blood naturally. Let’s take a look.
How To Increase White Blood Cell Count Naturally
Poor diet and vitamin deficiency also contribute to the low WBCs in your blood. Following a healthy and balanced diet can go a long way in keeping your immune system healthy and protecting your body from infection. Here are some natural remedies to increase your white blood cell count naturally.
1. Lavender Oil
Often used in aroma therapy, lavender oil can also help increase the WBC count. It promotes good sleep, reduces anxiety, and treats many conditions that might affect your immune health negatively. To improve its effect on your body, use it with sweet almond oil or jojoba oil. You must always use lavender oil with carrier oil. For this remedy, you need 15-20 drops of lavender oil and around 60 mL of jojoba oil.
How to use
â— Mix lavender oil with any carrier oil, preferably jojoba oil.
â— Massage your body gently with these oils
Try the lavender oil massage every day for 10-20 minutes.
2. Spinach
Spinach is often combined with kale and other leafy vegetables that are loaded in antioxidants and minerals, which help boost your immune health. Spinach is rich in many vitamins and nutrients that increase the production of white blood cells, which kill all bacteria and viruses. You can add cooked spinach to your daily meals or make a salad of green leafy vegetables, including spinach. You can also prepare a spinach smoothie or add it to your favorite snacks.
3. Papaya Leaves
A study showed that the daily consumption of papaya leaves increased the white blood cell count in dengue patients. Rich in acetogenins, papaya leaves can boost your WBC count quickly and is also an excellent home remedy for those diagnosed with dengue. The best way to consume these leaves is by preparing juice. Let’s see how you can prepare papaya leaf juice that tastes sweet and offer a range of health benefits.
1. Put a bunch of papaya leaves in a blender and run it for 2-3 minutes
2. Add some water to get a good consistency and blend again
3. Strain it to remove the pulp
4. Add a few drops of lemon and some honey to make it sweet
You need to drink 1-2 tablespoons of papaya juice daily for at least a month to notice the benefits. Prepare fresh papaya juice every 2-3 days and drink regularly.
4. Get Essential Vitamins
Vitamin deficiency is one of the many causes of low white blood cell count. Your body needs vitamins A, C, B, and E9 for immune health. These vitamins also play a role in increasing the number of white blood cells in your body, thus protecting it against infection. Vitamin supplements are available on the market, but we’d recommend a healthy and nutritious diet.
Add more vitamin-rich foods to your diet. Vitamin C is for your immunity, while Vitamin B9 and E are responsible for the production of neutrophils and natural killer cells, respectively. Cheese, eggs, fish, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and fruits are the best sources of different vitamins that increase your WBC count.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Regular consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can increase your white blood cell count. These foods are known for their immunomodulatory properties, which greatly increase the WBC. If you are not getting adequate omega-3 fatty acids from food, you can try 1000 mg of omega-3 supplements. However, you must consult a doctor before starting supplements. Alternatively, add foods like fish, walnuts, and avocado to your diet to get the required omega-
3 fatty acids. If you are taking supplements, your doctor will prescribe one pill daily.
6. Broccoli
This vitamin-packed green vegetable is another great source of antioxidants that increase WBC production in your blood. Broccoli is rich in Sulforaphane, a compound that boosts your immunity and white blood cell production. If you like broccoli, you can eat a cup of cooked broccoli or prepare a salad featuring green veggies, including broccoli. This superfood contains vitamins A, C, and E. It’s also loaded with fiber and antioxidants, all of which contribute to the white blood cell count.
7. Citrus Fruits
If you want to increase your WBC count, you need to add more vitamin-rich foods to your diet. Eating vegetables daily might not seem viable. If you aren’t a fan of supplements or veggies, you can get your daily dose of these vitamins and antioxidants through citrus fruits. Most of these fruits are loaded with essential nutrients that protect your immune system from foreign invaders and increase white blood cells. Among many delicious fruits that boost immunity, apple, strawberries, and lemons are the best. Orange and grapefruits are also good sources of vitamins that boost your immunity.
8. Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds contain vitamins B and E6, which boost your immunity and strengthen your immune system to fight infections. They are also rich in magnesium and phosphorus. You need a handful of sunflower seeds for this natural remedy. You can eat them raw or sprinkle the salted seeds into your salad or any food recipe.
9. Kiwi
Kiwi is another delicious fruit that can boost your immunity and give your body the nutrients it needs to function well. It’s a rich source of many essential vitamins, including vitamin C. It also contains vitamin E, potassium, and many antioxidants that play a part in increasing your white blood cells and fighting all types of infection caused by bacteria and viruses. You should eat 1-2 kiwis every day. Eat them raw or add them to a smoothie, soup, fruit salad, and your snacks.
10. Selenium
Selenium can help fight many skin infections and other respiratory infections, including mycoplasma pneumonia. It also boosts WBC production, especially the two most important types of white blood cells — lymphocytes and neutrophils. You need 200mcg of selenium to boost your immunity, but do it after consulting a physician. You could also try foods rich in selenium to your diets, such as chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, and sardines. If you are taking supplements, eat one pill every day for the best results.
Bottom Line
Antibiotics, poor diet, and certain infections can lower your WBC count. The above natural remedies can help increase WBC production, which can improve your immune health and fight infections effortlessly. You must also take precautions to prevent infection. These were a few tips on how to increase WBC count at home. Hope it helps.
