Foods That Increase White Blood Cells and Over-all Good Health

In order for our bodies to be able to fight off infection caused by certain diseases, we need to have enough count of white blood cells in our immune system. Low WBC levels can mean serious damage to our body that’s why we need to maintain the adequate number our body needs. By eating certain foods and taking the right medication you can make this possible.


Vitamin C is often the go-to vitamin when it comes to boosting up the body’s immune system. Vitamins C helps in the regeneration of white blood cells that helps the immune system fight infection. You probably know where to find vitamin C: carrots, guava, oranges, berries and most fruits and vegetables.


Beta-carotene is also a famous immune system booster just like vitamin C. And just like vitamin C it also contributes in the formation of infection-fighting cells. Beta-carotene has also been known to fight cancerous diseases and heart problems. Carrots are probably the most common source of this super vitamin. Other sources may include tomatoes, chili and squash.


The human body is being attacked by free radicals almost every time and without proper protection, cells can easily get injured and die. To help with this problem you need antioxidants like vitamin E. Vitamin E can mostly be found in olive oil, nuts and some fruits and vegetables. It is primarily involved in the function of the immune system and helps prevent blood to clot in blood vessels.


People used to think that eating egg everyday can be bad for the health but not anymore. Protein found in egg, fish, lean meats and dairy can actually improve white blood cell production. As the body gets a rich amount of protein, it increases its ability to replenish white blood cells. That is just amazing if you ask me.


These are not just the food group available out there that can help you increase your white blood cell count. There are hundreds more that include seafood rich with omega-3 fatty acids and zing. These two are also good immune system boosters. Sometimes when we fail to get enough vitamins from the food that we eat every day, we can make use of food supplements and multivitamins.
See more about wise dietary choices under the Nutrition tab at the top of the page..

A Zinc Deficiency

We all need zinc to help protect against oxidative stress and complete DNA repair, but deficiencies in this trace mineral may be common and increase risks of cancer, DNA damage, infectious diseases and suboptimal immune function. The older you get, the greater the risk of running low on zinc. An estimated 12 percent of the U.S. population is probably at risk of zinc deficiency, and up to 40 percent of seniors may be deficient because absorption of zinc slows with age and because dietary intake may not meet your nutritional needs, according to experts at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. One recent study found that even a minor zinc deficiency can result in increased DNA damage. Zinc deficiencies have been linked to prostate cancer and to esophageal, breast and head and neck cancers and may contribute to infections and to autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, tests for zinc status aren't very good. The best dietary sources are beef and poultry; zinc is poorly absorbed from plants. The recommended daily allowance is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for men, but I generally recommend taking 15 mg of zinc daily - or up to 30 mg daily if you don't eat many foods of animal origin.


The best plant sources of zinc are legumes (dried beans, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, lentils, peas, and whole soy products), pumpkin seeds, whole grains and nuts.

Dr. Weil

Green Tea

The health benefits of Green Tea have long been discussed by health guru’s and have been generally thought of and defined as "an immune system enhancer." The following study published by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was therefore of particular interest. One interesting aspect of the study depicts the benefits of green tea for women only. The study is as follows:

Japanese women who drink even a little bit of green tea seem to have a lower risk of developing pneumonia, and those who drink five or more cups per day may be able to cut their risk by 47 percent. These findings are from a study published in the September 2009 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The researchers also found that drinking a single cup of green tea daily cut the risk of dying from pneumonia by 41 percent. But these results apply only to Japanese women, not men. Even with the gender differences, the investigators noted that their findings support the hypothesis that compounds in green tea can destroy or inhibit the growth of viruses and other microorganisms that cause pneumonia. This was a big study that followed more than 19,000 men and more than 21,000 women for more than 12 years. The participants' ages ranged from 40 to 79. The researchers saw the benefits in women (but not men) after controlling for age, physical function, smoking status and other health and dietary factors that might influence the risk of pneumonia.

For more information regarding Green Tea studies follow the link provided on this post.

Always be happy and healthy
Carl