White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, defend the body against germs and infections. They produce protective antibodies that overpower germs, or surround and decimate invading bacteria. An increase or decrease in leukocytes can indicate an underlying health problem. A healthy white blood cell count, according to the Mayo Clinic, is roughly 10,500 to 3,500 cells per microliter of blood. Leucopenia, a low white blood cell count, can be caused by a vitamin deficiency.
Leucopenia
Low white blood cell count is a common problem in HIV patients taking AZT, one of the most common drugs prescribed for the treatment of the virus. In 2007, researchers from Hospital Clinic University in Valencia, Spain investigated the effect of vitamins C and E on leucopenia-induced AZT in mice. When mice were pre-treated with the vitamins, prior to starting AZT, onset of leucopenia was slowed.
Tuberculosis
Vitamin D may play a role in fighting infections and preventing autoimmune diseases. According to a 2010 article about the benefits of vitamin D, University of California-San Francisco professor of medicine Daniel Bikle, M.D., found that people with low levels of vitamin D are at higher risk for developing the tuberculosis infection, or TB. He found, however, that blood with high levels of vitamin D contains white blood cells that secrete bacteria-killing amino acids, which are capable of eradicating TB. When blood samples with low vitamin D levels were augmented with the vitamin, white blood cells began developing defenses necessary for battling the infection.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for normal immune system functioning. Ronald Hoffman, M.D., host of the radio program Health Talk, reports that in malnourished children, vitamin A supplementation protects against measles and reduces the death rate associated with the infection. Vitamin A works by enhancing the function of white blood cells, strengthening the resistance to infection and cancer-causing pathogens. The vitamin also aids in maintaining defenses by the skin and mucus membranes.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has powerful infection-reducing properties. In 2009, researchers from Federico II University in Italy investigated the ability of vitamin E to fight off infections associated with neutropenia. Neutropenia is an abnormally low count of immune-fighting white blood cells that are particularly adept at battling bacteria and fungi. Between 45 to 75 percent of white blood cells in humans are neutrophils, according to MayoClinic.com. In the study, patients given vitamin E had significantly higher neutrophil counts. Low white blood cell counts also occurred less often. The frequency and severity of infections decreased.
References
- The Franklin Institute: White Blood Cells: Battling Blood Cells
- MayoClinic.com: Low White Blood Cell Count: Causes; September 2010
- Free Radical Research: Vitamins C and E Prevent AZT-Induced Leukopenia and Loss of Cellularity in Bone Marrow; J. Garcia-de-la-Asuncion; March 2007
- University of California, San Francisco; Vitamin D: Not Just for Bones, Say San Francisco VA Physician; June 2010
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman: Nutrients that Boost Immunity
- MayoClinic.com: Neutropenia; October 2010
