White blood cells are major immune system soldiers that help your body fight off infections. If your doctor has told you that you have a low white blood cell count, you might need medical treatments such as steroids to boost your numbers. However, you might also be able to help increase your low level by eating certain healthy foods, according to AskDrSears.com.
Healthy Fats
According to a study cited by AskDrSears.com, children in the study who took 1/2 tsp. of flax oil every day missed less school and were less likely to have respiratory infections than children who didn't. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in flax oil and fatty fish such as tuna and salmon, can help ward off health problems because they increase the activity of white blood cells, which consume bacteria and other foreign particles. Although you should ask your child's pediatrician for advice before you give your child flax oil, adding 1 to 3 tsp. of flax oil to smoothies and eating a 3 oz. serving of fatty fish at least twice per week might help improve your immune system.
Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C might help protect you against viruses and other diseases because it has been shown to help boost the production and function of various white blood cells, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The white blood cells that might be most affected by vitamin C are the cells that fight off foreign viruses and bacteria, the cells that consume bacteria and other foreign particles, and the cells that enhance the function of other white blood cells, make antibodies and kill off virus-infected cells. Vitamin C is in many foods, including citrus fruits and spinach. Still, human studies involving vitamin C and immunity are conflicting.
Garlic
Garlic, a member of the onion family, is known to help multiply infection-fighting white blood cells, boost the activity of natural killer cells and increase the body's ability to produce antibodies, according to AskDrSears.com. These effects might be attributed to garlic's sulfur-containing compounds. Garlic might also help boost your immunity because it is an antioxidant; it helps reduce buildup of harmful atoms in the body.
Brightly Colored Vegetables
Carrots, sweet potatoes and other vegetables that are orange, dark-green, red and yellow contain beta-carotene. This nutrient helps protect your immune system because it and other carotenes help strengthen your body's white blood cell production. In fact, eating many foods that are rich in beta-carotene might reduce your risk of developing lung, breast, head, neck, prostate and stomach cancer, according to the Stanford Medicine Cancer Institute.
References
- Harvard Health Publications: How to Boost Your Immune System
- AskDrSears.com: 8 Foods That Boost Immunity
- NaturalNews.com; "Boost Low WBC Count and Immune Function Naturally"; Tony Isaacs; 2010
- Stanford Medicine Cancer Institute: Nutrition to Reduce Cancer Risk
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Vitamin C
- MayoClinic.com: Low White Blood Cell Count
