What foods are effective for increasing white blood cell count?

Nov 23, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, consuming foods such as shiitake mushrooms, royal jelly, beef, peanuts, and wolfberries (Lycium barbarum) can effectively help increase white blood cell counts. Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, an important bioactive component that can activate the human immune system, stimulate the activity of immune cells such as macrophages and T lymphocytes, thereby promoting the production of white blood cells.

Generally speaking, eating foods such as shiitake mushrooms, royal jelly, beef, peanuts, and wolfberries (goji berries) can effectively help increase white blood cell counts. Detailed explanations are as follows:

  

  1. Shiitake Mushrooms

  Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, an important bioactive component that can activate the human immune system, stimulate the activity of immune cells such as macrophages and T lymphocytes, thereby promoting the production of white blood cells.

  2. Royal Jelly

  Royal jelly contains rich nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids. Among these, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) is a unique component of royal jelly that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, enhancing the body's resistance. The various nutrients in royal jelly provide sufficient nourishment for the body, promoting the proliferation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, thus aiding in the production of white blood cells.

  3. Beef

  Beef contains high-quality protein with abundant essential amino acids required for the human body. These amino acids are important building blocks for immune cells such as white blood cells. In addition, beef also contains trace elements such as iron and zinc. Iron is a key raw material for hemoglobin synthesis, ensuring oxygen transport within the body and providing sufficient oxygen for bone marrow hematopoiesis, which benefits the production of white blood cells.

  4. Peanuts

  Peanuts are rich in proteins, fats, B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals. The proteins in peanuts can provide building materials for the production of white blood cells. Peanut-derived vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting body cells from free radical damage—including hematopoietic stem cells—and helping maintain normal hematopoietic function, thus promoting the production of white blood cells.

  5. Wolfberries (Goji Berries)

  Wolfberries are rich in Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, which are components capable of regulating human immune function. They can enhance both cellular and humoral immunity, promoting the activity and proliferation of immune cells such as white blood cells. The carotenoids contained in wolfberries can be converted into vitamin A in the body, and vitamin C serves as an antioxidant, both of which help maintain overall health and create favorable conditions for white blood cell production.

  Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in daily life also plays an important role in increasing white blood cell counts, such as ensuring adequate sleep, engaging in moderate exercise, and reducing stress.

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