Low white blood cell counts are a sign of a compromised immune system, and can happen for wide variety of reasons. Stress, an unhealthy diet, poor lifestyle choices, medical treatments, and even the natural aging process can all take a toll on the immune system. Sometimes cause for a low white blood cell count is unknown. A strong, balanced immune system is what you are aiming for in order to be healthy, and your white blood cells are one of your body’s first line of defense—critical for fighting off infections and illness, and helping to prevent disease.
How do I know if my immune system is weak?
Some signs of a low functioning immune system include:
- Frequent colds and flus
- Yeast infections, thrush, athlete’s foot or other fungal infection
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Chronic infections like hepatitis and herpes outbreaks
- Poor healing wounds
A weak immune system can also lead to fatigue, problems with other body organs, and even cancer.
Improve immune system function and boost white blood cells naturally
There are a ride range of natural options that will help you improve your immunity and create an army of antibodies to fend off foreign invaders and disease. Here are some important tips to help boost your immune system and keep white blood cell counts up:
- Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates. An overabundance of glucose inhibits white blood cells from functioning at their optimal level, suppressing the immune system.
- Reduce your consumption of unhealthy fats. Polyunsaturated fats found in corn, safflower, and sunflower oil can negatively impact a healthy immune system.
- Loose that excess weight. Obesity can be harmful to your immune system. Research has shown that overweight people have a difficult time fighting off infection.
- Eliminate toxins. You can do this by drinking plenty of water, reducing your consumption of processed food, and avoiding toxins in your bodycare and household products.
- Exercise to boost your immune system. When done in moderation, exercise can be extremely beneficial to the immune system, as well as your white blood cell count.
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and zinc. Increasing your intake of immune-boosting food, such as carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, broccoli, and kale helps to improve the functioning of white blood cells.
- Lower your stress levels. Chronic stress and anxiety can play havoc on your immune system. Try practicing yoga, tai chi, Qi gong, meditation, deep breathing, or other relaxing activities to help reduce stress.
Panax Ginseng can play a huge role in boosting immune function and white blood cell counts
Panax ginseng is renowned for boosting energy levels, but did you know it is also effective in boosting the immune system? Ginseng supports the immune system by increasing the white blood cell count in the body when needing to fight off infections and disease. Studies have shown that each type of immune cell—including macrophages, natural killer cells, T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells—can be regulated with ginseng treatment.
What’s more, this powerful immune modulator has been used to relax the nervous system and decrease the effects of stress, helping to maintain healthy immunity, safely and naturally.