Vegetarian Diets and Their Impact on
White Blood Cell Levels
A vegetarian diet is a dietary approach that excludes meat, poultry, and fish. Vegetarianism is gaining popularity around the world due to its numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. However, recent studies have suggested that following a vegetarian diet may lead to lowered levels of white blood cells, which are essential for the immune system.
What are White Blood Cells? White blood cells (WBCs), also known as leukocytes, are an essential part of the immune system. They help to defend the body against infection and disease by attacking and destroying foreign particles, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The normal range of WBC count in a healthy individual is between 4,500 and 11,000 per microliter of blood.
Vegetarianism and White Blood Cell Levels
Recent studies have found that vegetarian diets tend to have lower levels of white blood cells than non-vegetarian diets. For instance, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals who followed a vegetarian diet had lower levels of total white blood cells and some subtypes of white blood cells, such as lymphocytes and neutrophils, compared to those who consumed a mixed diet.
Another study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that vegetarians had lower levels of white blood cells and natural killer cells, which play a critical role in fighting cancer cells and virus-infected cells. The researchers concluded that a vegetarian diet may affect the immune system by reducing the number of white blood cells and natural killer cells.
Possible Reasons for Lower White Blood Cell Count in Vegetarians
One possible reason for the lower white blood cell count in vegetarians is the lack of certain nutrients in their diet, such as vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, which are essential for the production of white blood cells. Vegetarian diets, especially vegan diets, may also be low in protein, which is necessary for the development of white blood cells.
Another reason could be the higher intake of plant-based foods, which contain phytochemicals that can modulate the immune system. While some phytochemicals have immunostimulatory effects, others have immunosuppressive effects, which may lead to reduced white blood cell counts.
Vegetarian diets have been associated with numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases. However, recent studies have suggested that following a vegetarian diet may lead to lowered levels of white blood cells, which are essential for the immune system. While the exact reasons for this are not yet clear, it is essential for vegetarians to ensure that their diet is well-balanced and provides adequate amounts of essential nutrients, including vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and protein, to maintain their immune function.
References:
- Gibson R. S. (2019). Content and bioavailability of trace elements in vegetarian diets. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 110(Supplement_3), 796S–802S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz189
- Key, T. J., Appleby, P. N., & Rosell, M. S. (2006). Health effects of vegetarian and vegan diets. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 65(1), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1079/pns2005479
- Lee, Y., Kim, K. J., & Park, K. (2019). Vegetarian diets and the incidence of cancer in a low-risk population. Cancer research and treatment : official journal of Korean Cancer Association, 51(2), 729–737. https