What to eat when white blood cell count is low
Apr 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Leukopenia patients may consume foods such as shiitake mushrooms, red dates, Codonopsis pilosula, peanuts, and beef. Additionally, medications such as vitamin B4 tablets, shark liver alcohol tablets, leucogen tablets, Rehmannia root and Astragalus combination tablets (Diyu Shengbai Pian), and inosine tablets may be taken under medical guidance. In daily life, it is important to avoid exposure to factors that may cause a decrease in white blood cells, such as certain chemicals and radiation. Appropriate protective measures should be taken when working in related environments.
Generally, when white blood cell count is low, individuals can consume foods such as shiitake mushrooms, red dates, Codonopsis root, peanuts, and beef. Additionally, under medical guidance, medications such as vitamin B4 tablets, shark liver oil tablets, leucogen tablets, Sanguisorba officinalis white blood cell-enhancing tablets, and inosine tablets may be taken. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms contain biologically active substances such as lentinan, which can regulate the immune system, activate immune cells, enhance their activity, and thereby promote the production and function of white blood cells, helping to improve low white blood cell counts.
2. Red Dates
Red dates have functions of invigorating the middle jiao, nourishing qi and blood, and calming the mind. Rich in iron, vitamin C, and various amino acids, red dates facilitate hematopoiesis through their iron content, while vitamin C enhances iron absorption. The synergistic effect of these nutrients promotes white blood cell production and enhances the body's resistance.
3. Codonopsis Root
Codonopsis root contains components such as codonopsis polysaccharides and alkaloids, which can regulate immune function, promote the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis, increase white blood cell production, and help improve low white blood cell counts.
4. Peanuts
The red skin of peanuts contains abundant oils and multiple vitamins, along with substances that shorten coagulation time. These substances counteract fibrinolysis, promote platelet production by the bone marrow, increase white blood cell counts, and enhance the body's hematopoietic function.
5. Beef
Beef is rich in high-quality protein, zinc, iron, and other nutrients. Protein serves as a crucial component of the body and a key raw material for white blood cell production. Zinc participates in the metabolism and functional regulation of immune cells, helping maintain normal white blood cell activity and count. Iron is involved in hemoglobin synthesis, providing necessary conditions for white blood cell generation.
II. Medications
1. Vitamin B4 Tablets
Vitamin B4 is a component of nucleic acids and participates in RNA and DNA synthesis. When white blood cells are deficient, it can promote their proliferation and stimulate production, thereby increasing white blood cell counts.
2. Shark Liver Oil Tablets
Shark liver oil tablets can promote white blood cell proliferation and resist radiation in the hematopoietic system, increasing white blood cell counts. They are effective in treating leukopenia caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or benzene poisoning.
3. Leucogen Tablets
Leucogen tablets are a cysteine derivative. After ingestion, it combines with proteins under alkaline conditions in the duodenum to form soluble substances that are rapidly absorbed by the intestines, enhancing the function of the bone marrow hematopoietic system and promoting white blood cell generation, thereby increasing white blood cell counts.
4. Sanguisorba Officinalis White Blood Cell-Enhancing Tablets
These tablets mainly contain Sanguisorba officinalis, which can stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis, promote the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, increase white blood cell production, and enhance immune function for treating leukopenia.
5. Inosine Tablets
Inosine tablets participate in cellular energy metabolism and protein synthesis in the body, increase the activity of related metabolic enzymes, improve liver function, promote the repair of damaged hepatocytes, and simultaneously stimulate white blood cell proliferation, thereby increasing white blood cell levels.
In daily life, individuals should avoid exposure to factors that may cause leukopenia, such as certain chemicals and radiation. Those working in related fields should take proper protective measures. Maintaining good lifestyle habits, ensuring sufficient sleep, avoiding staying up late, engaging in moderate exercise, and enhancing physical resistance are important to prevent leukopenia caused by reduced immunity.
