Your white blood cell count may be low because of a viral infection, cancer or cancer treatments, prescription drugs, an autoimmune disorder, vitamin deficiency or due to another health concern. Whatever the culprit, increasing your white blood cell may help your immune system and the ability to ward off disease or infection. Before you attempt to raise your white blood cell count, you should discuss with your physician how your treatment at home may affect your disorder or your current course of prescribed treatment.
Instructions
1. Ask your doctor about whether white blood cell boosters, usually administered in the doctor's office, may be right for you. White blood cell boosters include pegfilgrastim and filgrastim (sold under the names of Neulasta and Nuepogen).
2. Eat plenty of protein. The body generally needs around 50 grams of protein, and it is important for white blood cell generation that you eat enough lean proteins like chicken, fish and beans.
3. Eat carrots, or take Vitamin A and beta-carotene supplements. While Vitamin A may not in and of itself regenerate white blood cells, it can help make them function better and will increase your resistence to infection. Beta-carotene works in conjunction with Vitamin A to make the immune system stronger.
4. Make sure you have enough B vitamins. A B vitamin deficiency can lead to decreased white blood cells. B6 and B12 are especially important.
5. Increase Vitamin C intake, either through diet, supplements or through an injection given by your doctor.
6. Ingest more Vitamin E. Your body needs about 400 to 800 i.u. of Vitamin E every day, and maintaining a good level of Vitamin E may boost your immune system and white blood cell counts. Take care, however, to not overdo the Vitamin E, because it may actually work against you.
7. Take iron supplements, or eat iron-rich foods such as red meat, broccoli and spinach.
8. Try mineral supplements such as arginine, alkylclycerol, CoEnzyme Q10, dimethyglycine and phytonutrients such as garlic, echinacea and cat's claw. These minerals all may have a role in boosting white blood cell count.
9. Eat medicinal mushrooms, such as Coriolis, Cordyceps or Ganoderma. Though you may find these mushrooms dry, they are most often sold in the United States in powder or capsule form.
10. Give your body time to recover. Sometimes, your bone marrow may take some time to regenerate your white .
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