White blood cells, or lymphocytes, play a role in fighting infection and disease. An essential component of your immune system, white blood cells circulate throughout your body, identifying and destroying any foreign particles that could cause disease. The health of your white blood cells, and your immune system in general, relies partially on nutrients obtained from your diet. Eating foods rich in specific nutrients can help keep your white blood cell numbers up and support proper immune function.
Vitamin B6-Rich Foods
Eating foods rich in vitamin B6 can help keep your white blood cell counts up. Vitamin B6, also called pyroxidine, belongs to the family of water-soluble B-class vitamins, which aid in metabolism and perform a range of functions within the body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin B6 plays a role in maintaining blood cell counts, with adequate intake of vitamin B6 required for proper production of both red and white blood cells. You can consume vitamin B6 as a part of your diet by eating lean meats like chicken, turkey and fish, as well as lentils, spinach and brown rice, to help keep white blood cells up and maintain proper immune function.
Vitamin A-Rich Foods
Foods rich in vitamin A may also help boost your white blood cell numbers. The fat-soluble vitamin, also called retinol, plays a role in tissue maintenance and cellular maturation. Vitamin A also helps maintain the proper functioning of the immune system, according to the National Academies Press, suggesting it has a role in boosting white blood cell counts. The NAP indicates that vitamin A deficiency has profound effects on the immune system and white blood cells, so consuming foods rich in vitamin A can help prevent these deficiencies. Eat carrots, spinach, eggs, milk and sweet potatoes, which are rich in vitamin A.
Vitamin D-Rich Foods
Vitamin D-rich foods can also help keep your white blood cells up. Vitamin D, or caliciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin commonly obtained from eating salmon and other fishes, milk, egg yolks and fortified cereals. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University explains that vitamin D interacts with specialized white blood cells, regulating their function, and ensuring you have adequate numbers of active white blood cells in your body. To increase your intake of vitamin D and boost your immune system, choose products fortified with the vitamin, as well as fish oils that naturally contain vitamin D.
