Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMedicationsFoods to ChooseTypes and FunctionCauses
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Medications
Foods to Choose
Types and Function
Causes
Maintaining a normal level of healthy white blood cells can help reduce the risk of infection and is a key component of overall health. If you have a low WBC count, calledleukopenia, you may be at an increased risk of developing infections.
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Can Medications Increase White Blood Cells?
A healthcare provider may prescribemedicationsto stimulate white blood cell production if you have a low white blood cell count. These medications, such as Neupogen (filgrastim), Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), and others, are all part of a family of drugs calledgranulocytecolony stimulators (G-CSF).These medications jump-start the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells.
What Foods Boost White Blood Cells?
If your white blood cell level is low, you can make dietary changes to try to increase it. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting new treatments, including diets, that may disrupt your WBC count. Very low WBCs are medical emergencies that require prompt treatment.
Although there is no specific diet proven to increase white blood cells, a healthy diet rich in vegetables and protein is an excellent way to maintain a healthy immune system. The following foods may even help increase white blood cells:
Further, aMediterranean diet—which consists of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, healthy fats, moderate amounts of fish and poultry, and limited amounts of red meat—has been shown to help boost white blood cell levels.
Foods such as blueberries, strawberries, and dark leafy green vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing certain immune disorders.In addition, thesewhole foodsare a good source of antioxidants, which can help support the function of a healthy immune system.
Get your nutrients and antioxidants from foods as much as possible. If you are considering taking any supplements, consult with a healthcare professional first.
White Blood Cells: Types and Function
WBCs help protect you against illness and infection. When your body is exposed to disease-causing pathogens like viruses or bacteria, white blood cells are sent to destroy the invaders and prevent or shorten illness.
White blood cells also help your body fight cancer. Since cancer cells are foreign to the body, white blood cells such as lymphocytes can help eliminate cancer cells.
The normal reference range for total white blood cell counts is 4,000 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter (mm3) of blood.However, each lab will have its own set of normal values, and values can vary depending on the age, race, and sex of the person. The following are normal WBC counts:
Several types of white blood cells are found in your body, each with specialized functions.
Why is white blood cell count important?The white blood cell count is a measure of the body’s immune system. When the white blood cell count is high, it is a sign that the body is under stress, and there may be an infection, injury, or other stressors on the body.
Why is white blood cell count important?
The white blood cell count is a measure of the body’s immune system. When the white blood cell count is high, it is a sign that the body is under stress, and there may be an infection, injury, or other stressors on the body.
What Causes Low White Blood Cell Counts?
While many conditions can lead to high white blood cell counts, there are only a few major causes of low white blood cell counts—most of them medication side effects. These causes include:
If you have a low white blood cell count, you should ask your healthcare provider to determine the cause and the best course of treatment. A very low white blood cell count can sometimes increase your risk of developing serious infections.
How White Blood Cells Are MeasuredThe most common test to detect WBC levels is with acomplete blood countor CBC.The CBC can provide information on the total number of white blood cells in the body and the specific types of white blood cells.Another test that is used for white blood cell assessment is calledflow cytometry. This more advanced test is typically used for evaluating cancerous white blood cell counts.
How White Blood Cells Are Measured
The most common test to detect WBC levels is with acomplete blood countor CBC.The CBC can provide information on the total number of white blood cells in the body and the specific types of white blood cells.Another test that is used for white blood cell assessment is calledflow cytometry. This more advanced test is typically used for evaluating cancerous white blood cell counts.
The most common test to detect WBC levels is with acomplete blood countor CBC.The CBC can provide information on the total number of white blood cells in the body and the specific types of white blood cells.
Another test that is used for white blood cell assessment is calledflow cytometry. This more advanced test is typically used for evaluating cancerous white blood cell counts.
Summary
Maintaining a healthy white blood cell count can help reduce the risk of infection and is a critical component of overall health. If you have a low WBC count, you may have leukopenia, which increases your risk of developing infections.
If you have a low white blood cell count, there are several strategies you can use to boost your white blood cell levels. Work with your healthcare provider to see if medication changes or diet can help increase your levels.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Theyab A, Algahtani M, Alsharif KF, et al.New insight into the mechanism of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-csf) that induces the mobilization of neutrophils.Hematology. 2021;26(1):628-636. doi:10.1080/16078454.2021.1965725Gutiérrez S, Svahn SL, Johansson ME.Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 11;20(20):5028. doi: 10.3390/ijms20205028Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, et al.Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):184. doi: 10.3390/cells12010184Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.White blood count & diet.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.Rajaram S, Damasceno NRT, Braga RAM, et al.Effect of Nuts on Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 22;15(5):1099. doi: 10.3390/nu15051099Mashhadi Akbar Boojar M.An overview of the cellular mechanisms of flavonoids radioprotective effects.Adv Pharm Bull. 2020;10(1):13-19. doi:10.15171/apb.2020.002Arreola R, Quintero-Fabián S, López-Roa RI, et al.Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic compounds. J Immunol Res. 2015;2015:401630. doi: 10.1155/2015/401630National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B12.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Folate.Hernáez Á, Lassale C, Castro-Barquero S, et al.Mediterranean diet and white blood cell count—a randomized controlled trial.Foods. 2021;10(6):1268. doi:10.3390/foods10061268National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidants: in depth.Abril-Rodriguez G, Ribas A.Snapshot: immune checkpoint inhibitors.Cancer Cell. 2017;31(6):848-848.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2017.05.010National Library of Medicine.Blood groups and red cell antigens, Table 1.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Understanding blood counts.Medscape.Leukocyte count (WBC).Hassani M, Hellebrekers P, Chen N, et al.On the origin of low‐density neutrophils.J Leukoc Biol. 2020;107(5):809-818. doi:10.1002/JLB.5HR0120-459RNational Cancer Institute.Lymphocyte.National Cancer Institute.Eosinophil.National Cancer Institute.Monocyte.National Library of Medicine.White blood cell count.Carli L, Tani C, Vagnani S, Signorini V, Mosca M.Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia in systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence and clinical impact–A systematic literature review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2015;45(2):190-4. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.05.009Chiu SN, Shao PL, Wang JK, et al.Low immunoglobulin M memory B-cell percentage in patients with heterotaxy syndrome correlates with the risk of severe bacterial infection.Pediatr Res. 2016;79(2):271-277. doi:10.1038/pr.2015.221Valadez-Cosmes P, Maitz K, Kindler O, et al.Identification of novel low-density neutrophil markers through unbiased high-dimensional flow cytometry screening in non-small cell lung cancer patients.Front Immunol. 2021;12:703846. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.703846
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Theyab A, Algahtani M, Alsharif KF, et al.New insight into the mechanism of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-csf) that induces the mobilization of neutrophils.Hematology. 2021;26(1):628-636. doi:10.1080/16078454.2021.1965725Gutiérrez S, Svahn SL, Johansson ME.Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 11;20(20):5028. doi: 10.3390/ijms20205028Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, et al.Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):184. doi: 10.3390/cells12010184Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.White blood count & diet.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.Rajaram S, Damasceno NRT, Braga RAM, et al.Effect of Nuts on Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 22;15(5):1099. doi: 10.3390/nu15051099Mashhadi Akbar Boojar M.An overview of the cellular mechanisms of flavonoids radioprotective effects.Adv Pharm Bull. 2020;10(1):13-19. doi:10.15171/apb.2020.002Arreola R, Quintero-Fabián S, López-Roa RI, et al.Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic compounds. J Immunol Res. 2015;2015:401630. doi: 10.1155/2015/401630National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B12.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Folate.Hernáez Á, Lassale C, Castro-Barquero S, et al.Mediterranean diet and white blood cell count—a randomized controlled trial.Foods. 2021;10(6):1268. doi:10.3390/foods10061268National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidants: in depth.Abril-Rodriguez G, Ribas A.Snapshot: immune checkpoint inhibitors.Cancer Cell. 2017;31(6):848-848.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2017.05.010National Library of Medicine.Blood groups and red cell antigens, Table 1.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Understanding blood counts.Medscape.Leukocyte count (WBC).Hassani M, Hellebrekers P, Chen N, et al.On the origin of low‐density neutrophils.J Leukoc Biol. 2020;107(5):809-818. doi:10.1002/JLB.5HR0120-459RNational Cancer Institute.Lymphocyte.National Cancer Institute.Eosinophil.National Cancer Institute.Monocyte.National Library of Medicine.White blood cell count.Carli L, Tani C, Vagnani S, Signorini V, Mosca M.Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia in systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence and clinical impact–A systematic literature review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2015;45(2):190-4. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.05.009Chiu SN, Shao PL, Wang JK, et al.Low immunoglobulin M memory B-cell percentage in patients with heterotaxy syndrome correlates with the risk of severe bacterial infection.Pediatr Res. 2016;79(2):271-277. doi:10.1038/pr.2015.221Valadez-Cosmes P, Maitz K, Kindler O, et al.Identification of novel low-density neutrophil markers through unbiased high-dimensional flow cytometry screening in non-small cell lung cancer patients.Front Immunol. 2021;12:703846. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.703846
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Theyab A, Algahtani M, Alsharif KF, et al.New insight into the mechanism of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-csf) that induces the mobilization of neutrophils.Hematology. 2021;26(1):628-636. doi:10.1080/16078454.2021.1965725Gutiérrez S, Svahn SL, Johansson ME.Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 11;20(20):5028. doi: 10.3390/ijms20205028Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, et al.Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):184. doi: 10.3390/cells12010184Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.White blood count & diet.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.Rajaram S, Damasceno NRT, Braga RAM, et al.Effect of Nuts on Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 22;15(5):1099. doi: 10.3390/nu15051099Mashhadi Akbar Boojar M.An overview of the cellular mechanisms of flavonoids radioprotective effects.Adv Pharm Bull. 2020;10(1):13-19. doi:10.15171/apb.2020.002Arreola R, Quintero-Fabián S, López-Roa RI, et al.Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic compounds. J Immunol Res. 2015;2015:401630. doi: 10.1155/2015/401630National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B12.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Folate.Hernáez Á, Lassale C, Castro-Barquero S, et al.Mediterranean diet and white blood cell count—a randomized controlled trial.Foods. 2021;10(6):1268. doi:10.3390/foods10061268National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidants: in depth.Abril-Rodriguez G, Ribas A.Snapshot: immune checkpoint inhibitors.Cancer Cell. 2017;31(6):848-848.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2017.05.010National Library of Medicine.Blood groups and red cell antigens, Table 1.Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Understanding blood counts.Medscape.Leukocyte count (WBC).Hassani M, Hellebrekers P, Chen N, et al.On the origin of low‐density neutrophils.J Leukoc Biol. 2020;107(5):809-818. doi:10.1002/JLB.5HR0120-459RNational Cancer Institute.Lymphocyte.National Cancer Institute.Eosinophil.National Cancer Institute.Monocyte.National Library of Medicine.White blood cell count.Carli L, Tani C, Vagnani S, Signorini V, Mosca M.Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia in systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence and clinical impact–A systematic literature review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2015;45(2):190-4. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.05.009Chiu SN, Shao PL, Wang JK, et al.Low immunoglobulin M memory B-cell percentage in patients with heterotaxy syndrome correlates with the risk of severe bacterial infection.Pediatr Res. 2016;79(2):271-277. doi:10.1038/pr.2015.221Valadez-Cosmes P, Maitz K, Kindler O, et al.Identification of novel low-density neutrophil markers through unbiased high-dimensional flow cytometry screening in non-small cell lung cancer patients.Front Immunol. 2021;12:703846. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.703846
Theyab A, Algahtani M, Alsharif KF, et al.New insight into the mechanism of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-csf) that induces the mobilization of neutrophils.Hematology. 2021;26(1):628-636. doi:10.1080/16078454.2021.1965725
Gutiérrez S, Svahn SL, Johansson ME.Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 11;20(20):5028. doi: 10.3390/ijms20205028
Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, et al.Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):184. doi: 10.3390/cells12010184
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.White blood count & diet.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: what you need to know.
Rajaram S, Damasceno NRT, Braga RAM, et al.Effect of Nuts on Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 22;15(5):1099. doi: 10.3390/nu15051099
Mashhadi Akbar Boojar M.An overview of the cellular mechanisms of flavonoids radioprotective effects.Adv Pharm Bull. 2020;10(1):13-19. doi:10.15171/apb.2020.002
Arreola R, Quintero-Fabián S, López-Roa RI, et al.Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic compounds. J Immunol Res. 2015;2015:401630. doi: 10.1155/2015/401630
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B12.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Folate.
Hernáez Á, Lassale C, Castro-Barquero S, et al.Mediterranean diet and white blood cell count—a randomized controlled trial.Foods. 2021;10(6):1268. doi:10.3390/foods10061268
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidants: in depth.
Abril-Rodriguez G, Ribas A.Snapshot: immune checkpoint inhibitors.Cancer Cell. 2017;31(6):848-848.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2017.05.010
National Library of Medicine.Blood groups and red cell antigens, Table 1.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Understanding blood counts.
Medscape.Leukocyte count (WBC).
Hassani M, Hellebrekers P, Chen N, et al.On the origin of low‐density neutrophils.J Leukoc Biol. 2020;107(5):809-818. doi:10.1002/JLB.5HR0120-459R
National Cancer Institute.Lymphocyte.
National Cancer Institute.Eosinophil.
National Cancer Institute.Monocyte.
National Library of Medicine.White blood cell count.
Carli L, Tani C, Vagnani S, Signorini V, Mosca M.Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia in systemic lupus erythematosus: Prevalence and clinical impact–A systematic literature review.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2015;45(2):190-4. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.05.009
Chiu SN, Shao PL, Wang JK, et al.Low immunoglobulin M memory B-cell percentage in patients with heterotaxy syndrome correlates with the risk of severe bacterial infection.Pediatr Res. 2016;79(2):271-277. doi:10.1038/pr.2015.221
Valadez-Cosmes P, Maitz K, Kindler O, et al.Identification of novel low-density neutrophil markers through unbiased high-dimensional flow cytometry screening in non-small cell lung cancer patients.Front Immunol. 2021;12:703846. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.703846
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