Your white blood cells hold the distinction of locating and destroying viruses in your bloodstream, as well as aiding in the prevention of infections from bacteria, fungi or other toxic substances, according to the National Institutes of Health. While you should always follow you doctor's recommendations on how to address a low white blood count, you may find that there are some foods that can help boost the number of white cells in your body.
Vitamin C-Rich Fruits
Eating fruits rich in vitamin C can increase your white blood cells that fight infection, according to Dr. Sears. Citrus fruit are high vitamin C. Other fruits naturally high in vitamin C include the exotic guava and papaya, as well as cantaloupes and kiwi. Men and women need about 75 to 90 mg of vitamin C per day, respectively, according to the Institutes of Medicine. The USDA's Nutrient Data Laboratory indicates that guava has 126 mg of vitamin C, papaya contains 96 mg and cantaloupes and kiwi have 65 and 64 mg, respectively. Oranges, grapefruits and lemons have 83 mg, 80 mg and 45 mg, respectively.
Garlic
Garlic, a readily available food and supplement, may benefit your immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The antioxidants present in garlic work together to eliminate free radicals from your bloodstream, protecting you from environmental pollutants and some diseases. You can use garlic cloves in cooking meats and vegetables, add one or two cloves of crushed garlic to soups or take a garlic supplement in extract, tincture or tablet form.
Orange and Green Foods
Some orange and green fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin A, which may increase your production of mature white blood cells, according to Jane Higdon of the Linus Pauling Institute. Non-pregnant females need 700 mcg per day, adult pregnant females need 770 mcg, and adult males need 900 mcg. Vegetables and fruits high in immune-boosting vitamin A include pumpkins, sweet potatoes, uncooked carrots, spinach, collard greens, butternut squash and cantaloupe. Add more vitamin A-rich foods to your day by eating a spinach omelet for breakfast, having a sweet potato with a green salad and serving cantaloupe for dessert.
Selenium-Rich Foods
Selenium is a mineral that functions as an antioxidant, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Selenium assists in strengthening your immune system, which in turn boosts the level of white blood cells. Foods rich in selenium include whole grains such as breads, pita, cereals and bagels, Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds. In addition to taking a doctor-recommended supplement, an easy way to consume more selenium is to add 1/8 cup of wheat germ to cereal, soups or casseroles, take a brewer's yeast supplement or eat two to three servings of fish each week.
References
- National Institutes of Health: WBC Count
- USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory: Guava, Papaya, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon
- AskDrSears.com: Feeding Your Immune System
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Garlic; Steven Ehrlich; November 2008
- Oregon State University; Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin A; Jane Higdon; December 2003
