When you're fighting a cold, influenza or other illness, you want to boost your immune system. Sometimes your immune system is not up to par even thought you are not ill. In either case, you need to increase your white blood cell count to decrease your susceptibility to germs. While there are various prescriptions and chemical methods that increase white blood cells, natural methods are much less invasive.

Fruits and Vegetables

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially raw, is a key to increasing white cell count. They contain many vitamins and minerals that the body uses to build and maintain and healthy immune system. Vitamins A and C are especially important for this function.

Eat between five and nine servings of these foods every day to create a better immune system. You can do this by making sure that two-thirds of your plate at mealtime is covered with vegetables or fruit that are at least two different colors. Oranges and other citrus fruits are high in both vitamin A and C.

Exercise

Moderate exercise is a great way to boost the immune system. It helps the body to strengthen itself and fight off viruses and bacteria. The long-term effects of exercise include reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer.

Exercise helps the body flush out toxins through sweat and urine. It also sends the white blood cells through the system quicker. Even something as simple as going for a walk a few times a week will be of great benefit.

Herbal Remedies

A Chinese herbal remedy that can be used to boost the white cell count is andrographis paniculata, or AP. It is used in the treatment of colds, flu and infections. This herb reduces the amount of time it takes to recover from illness as well. It has very few side-effects and has low toxicity even if misused, unlike other herbal remedies.

Other herbs that boost the immune system include green tea, Siberian ginseng, olive leaf and piperine. These are all commonly used by herbalists and others to enhance the white blood cell count and improve the function of the immune system. Before taking any of these, it is recommended that you see a professional for guidance.

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