Causes of low white blood cell count and how can the number be increased?
Causes of low white blood cell count and how can the number be increased?
White blood cells, or corpuscles, are one of the most important parts of the body's immune system. Which circulates in the bloodstream as well as in the tissues, where it plays many vital roles for the body.
Stem cells in the bone marrow are responsible for the production of white blood cells. Then the bone marrow stores 80–90% of the white blood cells.
White blood cells are the body's first line of defense against any external attack. So what do these tiny cells do in your body on a daily basis?
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What are white blood cells?
- White blood cells, or, as they are also known as leukocytes, are a group of several diverse cells swimming in the bloodstream. Each type has its own role and significance when its number increases or decreases from the normal percentage.
- White blood cells are divided into three main types: granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
- Each of these types has its own composition, as well as a special function in defending the body.
What is the importance of white blood cells to the human body?
- White blood cells circulate with the blood stream, moving between cells and tissues, as they are attracted to any potential infection or foreign body that may enter the body to get rid of it.
- White blood cells are the first line of defense in the body, as they work together as a private army to protect the body from any enemies, as they produce antibodies (Antibodies) that attack foreign bodies and destroy them as soon as they are discovered.
- White blood cells fight bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and more.
The normal number of white blood cells in the bodyThe normal white blood cell count is:
- Newborns: ranges from 13,000 to 38,000 square millimeters.
- Babies 2 weeks old: 5,000 to 20,000 square millimeters.
- Adults range from 4,500 to 11,000 square millimeters.
- This number increases in pregnant women, reaching 5800–13200 square millimeters.
You can notice an increase in the number of white blood cells during exercise, and a decrease in resting states. This increase or decrease is normal, but in some cases, the increase or decrease is due to pathological reasons.
In injuries and infections of varying strength, there is an increase in the number of white blood cells in order to defend the body, and this increase is an indication of the presence of infection in the body.
But what is the reason behind the low number of white blood cells? What is its harm to the human body?
Reasons for a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the body?
White blood cell deficiency is known as Leukopenia, a condition that indicates a lack of body immunity.
A decrease in the number of white blood cells may occur for the following reasons:
- Viral infection.
- congenital problems
- cancer.
- immune diseases.
- Severe infections that require a large number of white blood cells to defend the body, so a large number of white blood cells are used up.
- Antibiotics also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells.
- Malnutrition.
- drinking alcohol
- In all cases, a person needs to support the immune system, and to increase the number of white blood cells in the body.
- White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
How can the number of white blood cells be increased naturally?
1. Lavender oil to increase the number of white blood cells
- Lavender oil is an essential oil that is often used to treat stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
- It also increases the number of white blood cells, which improves overall immunity.
- Essential oils such as sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, and cypress oil have the same effect as they improve white blood cells.
How to use
- 20 drops of lavender oil.
- 60ml of any carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil.
- Mix the quantities together, and use as a body massage.
- It is used once a day.
- Garlic has immune-enhancing properties, as it stimulates the production of white blood cells, including lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monophages.
- It also possesses anti-inflammatory as well as immunomodulatory properties; which are due to the presence of allicin.
How to use
- Put an amount of grated garlic on your favorite dish and eat it; you can eat it raw if you can handle its strong flavor.
- Eat garlic in your food on a regular basis.
- Spinach is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and it also has an antioxidant effect.
- These properties may help increase the number of white blood cells
- Add a piece of cooked spinach to your daily diet.
- Spinach can be eaten directly or added to salads or pasta.
- Eat spinach daily.
- Papaya leaves contain acetogenins, which are important substances that enhance immunity by increasing the number of white blood cells.
- Papaya leaf juice works as an excellent remedy for dengue fever.
- Soak a packet of papaya leaves in an appropriate amount of water.
- Then strain the mixture to get the papaya leaf juice.
- Have 1 tablespoon to 1-2 times daily of the juice.
- You can put some bee honey as it tastes bitter.
- Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as vitamin B9, have a major role in increasing the number of white blood cells.
- Vitamin A plays a special role in increasing the number of lymphocytes. While vitamin C is well known for boosting immunity as a whole.
- Vitamin B9 is necessary for the production of neutrophils, and vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells.
- Eating foods containing these vitamins increases the number of white blood cells and improves immunity as a whole. Such as spinach, carrots, cheese, meat, fish, sweet potatoes, as well as citrus fruits.
- It can also be obtained in the form of nutritional supplements, after consulting a doctor.
- The probiotics found in yogurt, or in fermented foods in general, boost immunity and stimulate an increase in the number of white blood cells.
- Eat at least one packet of yogurt daily.
- Omega-3 acid supplements have immune-enhancing properties, by increasing the number of white blood cells.
- Take 1000 mg of omega-3 once a day, after consulting a doctor.
- It can also be obtained from food such as cod liver oil, as well as some types of fish such as mackerel, tuna, sardines, and salmon.
- It is also found in other foods such as coconut and avocado.
- Zinc can make white blood cells regain normal function, thus boosting immunity.
- A dietary supplement of 8-11 mg can be taken daily, after consulting a doctor.
- Or it can be obtained from some foods such as shellfish, red meat, nuts, and beans.
- The sulforaphane in broccoli helps regulate the number of white blood cells and boost the immune system.
- Eat a cup of cooked broccoli daily.
- Or you can sprinkle some salt on it and eat it, or you can add it to the salad.
10. Selenium
- Eating selenium fiber has a positive effect on the production of white blood cells, especially lymphocytes and neutrophils.
- Selenium also improves immunity against infections and diseases.
- 200 mcg of selenium from a selenium fiber supplement daily, on the advice of a physician.
- Selenium can also be obtained from food sources such as tuna, sardines, and turkey.
- Kiwi contains powerful antioxidants, and is also rich in potassium and vitamin E and C.
- All of these nutrients enhance the strength of the immune system by increasing the number and effectiveness of white blood cells.
- Eat a maximum of 2-3 kiwifruit per day.
12. Citrus fruits
- Citrus fruits contain antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, both of which increase the number of white blood cells.
- Citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, strawberries, kiwis, lemons, and grapefruit.
13. Noni fruit
- One of the main nutrients in this fruit is vitamin C, which is why this fruit has a positive effect on immunity.
- It also possesses some stimulating properties to increase the number of lymphocytes of both types T and B.
- Take 30-60 ml of unsweetened Morinda fruit juice.
- You can also take ready-made juice from the store or extract it directly from the fruit.
14. Red Bell Pepper
- Red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and have immune-boosting properties as well.
- Red pepper slices can be placed as a delicious daily addition to various types of salads.
15. Sunflower seeds
- Sunflower seeds contain phosphorus, magnesium, as well as vitamin E and vitamin B6.
- All of these nutrients plus antioxidants work to boost white blood cells, as well as maintain the efficiency of vital body functions.
- Eat a handful of raw or salted sunflower seeds.
- It can be eaten as tasali (Syrian pulp), or put on various salads and vegetables.
White blood cells are one of the most important parts of the immune system because they maintain the health of the body and protect it against any external infection. It has several types and several functions, and its shortage may cause many problems that we do not need. Fortunately, there are many nutrients and natural ways to increase and strengthen white blood cells.
