White blood cells, along with red blood cells and platelets, are one of the three key types of cells found in your blood. These play a key role in your body's immune system, and a low white blood cell count makes it harder to fight off infections. Your body uses various nutrients to create white blood cells, and having a nutrient deficiency can make it harder for your body to make new cells.
White Blood Cells
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, serve to clean your body of unwanted materials such as debris and infectious agents. Your body is constantly using and replacing these cells in order to maintain a healthy immune system. According to The Franklin Institute, white blood cells have a life cycle ranging from a few days to weeks, and a single drop of blood contains between 7,000 and 25,000 white blood cells.
Vitamin B6 Deficiency
Vitamin B6 is a nutrient found in foods such as potatoes, bananas, various kinds of beans, meats and fish. Though it plays several roles in your body, vitamin B6 helps to maintain your lymphoid organs, the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes, the organs that create white blood cells. If you suffer from a B6 deficiency, either from not getting enough B6 or by not being able to absorb it, this can decrease your body's ability to create white blood cells and can suppress your immune system.
Vitamin A
Another key nutrient you need to maintain a normal white blood cell count is vitamin A. Vitamin A is found in foods such as beef liver, milk, cheese, and a variety of vegetables. Your body uses vitamin A, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, to help create white blood cells, and a deficiency in the vitamin can lead to a low white blood cell count and a less effective immune system.
Other Causes
Though nutritional causes can lead to a low white blood cell count, there are also other potential causes of which you should be aware. According to Mayo Clinic.com, a low white blood cell count can be caused by a vitamin deficiency, but also by such medical conditions as parasitic diseases, lupus, leukemia, hyperthyroidism and others. Talk to a physician about a low white blood cell count and what you need to do to identify the cause.
References
- National Institute of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: B6
- The Mayo Clinic.com: Low White Blood Cell Count
- University of Utah; White Blood Cells; April 2005
- The Franklin Institute: White Blood Cells: Battling Blood Cells
- National Institute of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
