It’s a very common finding that if your blood report shows low white blood cells, there’s no need to worry. And God forbid, don’t assume that you’ve contracted some deadly disease. There’s a very simple way with some nutrients and dietary changes, you can naturally boost your white blood cell (WBC) count.
First and foremost, since the time of the well-known COVID era, it’s been known that Vitamin C increases the number of WBCs. Vitamin C also enhances chemotaxis of white blood cells. Chemotaxis means the process by which WBCs detect specific chemical signals think of them as scents or odors and move towards them to attack and eat up the germs. Vitamin C improves both the detection and signaling process of this mechanism.
Vitamin C rich foods for immunity
However, Vitamin C should not be taken in synthetic supplement form. Amla (Indian gooseberry) is the richest natural source of Vitamin C. You can also get it from lemons, citrus fruits, green vegetables, pomegranate, blackberries, and guava. All these are sufficient to fulfill your body’s needs, but the best source remains amla. Take 1 teaspoon of amla powder in lukewarm water on an empty stomach in the morning if your WBC count is low.
Foods to boost white blood cells
Another food to include in your diet if papaya doesn't cause loose motions for you is papaya. It’s rich in Vitamin C and the enzyme papain, which boosts immunity and increases WBC count.
Next, you should include shellfish in your diet. If you’re allergic to shellfish, then regular fish should definitely be included. Also, red meat should be a part of your diet as it is a richest source of zinc. Zinc increases both the number and activity of WBCs. Another excellent benefit of fish is that it contains selenium.
When WBCs release chemicals to kill germs, those chemicals don’t just damage the germ cells but can also harm the WBC's own membrane. Selenium protects the WBCs from self-damage, maintaining the integrity of their cell membranes. So, the more selenium your body has stored, the better your WBCs will fight germs without damaging themselves. Again, a great immune booster.
How to increase white blood cells?
Vitamin B9 and B12 should also be in your diet. B9 is present in meat and in green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli. These also contain folate, which is essential for DNA replication and increasing the number of WBCs. These are also natural sources of Vitamin K, which we all know plays an important role in blood clotting, but Vitamin K also reduces inflammation and helps increase WBC count.
All these foods should be part of your regular diet. Additionally, make sure you include animal protein because immune cells, immunoglobulins, and peptides are all made from protein. Keeping your protein intake high will help not only increase WBCs but also support the growth of other immune cells.
Probiotics and white blood cells
And last but not least include a great source of probiotics in your diet. One excellent option is 100% organic apple cider vinegar. A healthy gut microbiome boosts the immune system because about 70% of immune cells are connected to gut bacteria. The better your gut health, the better your immune function will be.