The absolute neutrophil count is an estimated number of neutrophils. These are infection-fighting white cells. The ANC can indicate your risk of infection. The absolute neutrophil count will calculate the total number of neutrophils, both mature and immature in one microliter of blood. The measurement of ANC is vital in many clinical situations. This is very important in diagnosing and classifying neutropenia. You cannot diagnose neutropenia without counting the absolute neutrophil count.
Also, ANC measures the risk of infection, including severe and life-threatening infections like sepsis. Also, the diagnosis of neutropenia imposes an obligation on the doctor to actively seek possible severe complications and try to prevent and treat them. Also, patients with such conditions should not receive certain drugs, so the administration of these will be ceased. This is a reason why calculating absolute neutrophils is crucial. Your diet and simple lifestyle changes are crucial in controlling your condition.
Definition of neutrophils:
Contents
- 1 Definition of neutrophils:
- 2 How to maintain neutrophils naturally:
- 2.1 Maintain good oral hygiene:
- 2.2 Stay away from people who have cold or flu:
- 2.3 Wear a face mask:
- 2.4 Wash and prepare all foods properly:
- 2.5 Avoid raw meat, fish or eggs:
- 2.6 Foods rich in Vitamin B12:
- 2.7 Foods high in Omega –3 fatty acids:
- 2.8 Foods with Vitamin E and zinc:
- 2.9 Foods high in Vitamin C:
- 2.10 Nutritional supplements:
- 2.11 Wash your hands properly:
- 2.12 Dairy to eat:
- 2.13 Dairy to avoid:
- 2.14 Starches to eat:
- 2.15 Avoid raw starches:
- 2.16 Vegetables to eat:
- 2.17 Vegetables to avoid:
- 2.18 Fruits to eat:
- 2.19 Fruits to avoid:
The most numerous subpopulation of granulocytes and white blood cells are known as neutrophils. They are produced from the stem cells in the bone marrow together with other granulocytes, such as agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes), basophils, and eosinophils. Every single person produces approximately 1011 neutrophils daily which live only for a few days. Neutrophils are an essential part of the immune system, specifically the innate immune system.
How to maintain neutrophils naturally:
Diet is the most important thing which you can do to maintain neutrophils naturally. Neutrophils are types of white blood cells and they can help your body to fight against infection. If you have cancer or you are undergoing treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy, then you may develop low levels of neutrophils, which are known as neutropenia.
Also, you can develop neutropenia due to a poor diet, a bone marrow infection, or a blood–related disease. You need to adjust your diet if you want to raise neutrophils in your body. You need to take this step, so you will stay healthy and avoid germs or bacteria.
Maintain good oral hygiene:
It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene in order of preventing infection. You should brush and floss your teeth two to three times a day, as well as every time you eat. You should try rinsing your mouth with water and baking soda to remove germs or bacteria. You should rinse your toothbrush regularly under warm, running water, so it will be clean.
Stay away from people who have cold or flu:
You should not spend your time with people who are sick or ill, because this can expose you to germs. You should ask people who have the flu or cold to keep their distance until your neutrophil levels are back to normal. Also, you need to avoid going to spaces or areas which are crowded, such as malls, because there are people who are sick or ill.
Wear a face mask:
When you wear a face mask, then you prevent the exposure to germ and bacteria. You should protect your mouth and nose by wearing a face mask when you go outside or to public places, especially in areas who have large crowds. Also, you can wear a face mask at home if you live with others, or you live in a space which is dirty, moldy or dusty. You can order face masks online or at your local pharmacy.
Wash and prepare all foods properly:
You need to use warm running water to wash all the fresh fruits and vegetables you eat. This can help in reducing the exposure to bacteria and germs. You need to prepare food by cooking it to a safe internal temperature and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers within two hours. You should not use wooden cutting boards or sponges, because they can attract germs. The safe food handling and preparation can help you to reduce your risk of exposure to germs and bacteria which can make you sick due to your low neutrophil levels.
Avoid raw meat, fish or eggs:
When you eat these foods in raw form, then they can risk increase your risk to bacteria and germs. You should be sure to eat these foods cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Foods rich in Vitamin B12:
If you are deficient in Vitamin B12, then you can develop neutropenia. You should add foods high in Vitamin B12 in your diet, such as leafy greens, milk, eggs and fish, because they can help you to boost your neutrophil levels. Some soy products, which are enriched with Vitamin B12, are good options for vegans or if you do like eating animal products. Also, you can take Vitamin B12 in supplement form, so you will be sure that you are getting enough of this vitamin to your diet.
Foods high in Omega –3 fatty acids:
You need to add foods high in Omega – 3 fatty acids in your diet, such as flax oil, mackerel and salmon, because they are all high in Omega – 3 fatty acids. They can help to increase the levels of phagocytes, which are white blood cells that consume bad bacteria in your body. You can add these foods to your diet and cook them with flax oil, or you can have ½ teaspoon of flax oil once per day.
Foods with Vitamin E and zinc:
You should add foods rich in Vitamin E and zinc in your diet if you want to maintain neutrophils naturally. Vitamin E is very important for stimulating the production of white blood cells. Zinc is very important for increasing neutrophils. Both nutrients are readily available in food. Some of the best foods rich in Vitamin E include olive oil, palm oil, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, avocado and almonds. Some of the greatest source of zinc include whole grains, nuts, beans, poultry and oysters.
Foods high in Vitamin C:
This is one of the best ways to boost your immune system and it can help you to ensure that your neutrophil levels will not fall too low. You can have fresh fruits like pears, apples, bananas and oranges. Also, you can consume fresh vegetables, like spinach, kale, peppers, carrots and broccoli. You should add these fruits and vegetables to your daily meals, so you will keep your neutrophil levels up.
Nutritional supplements:
You can take nutritional supplements, but ask your doctor if they are recommended for your condition. If you have a poor diet or you have a lack of appetite, then you can take multivitamin or supplements to help your body in making white blood cells. You should always first ask doctor or healthcare provider before you decide to take any supplements or vitamins. You should tell your doctor all medications that you are taking, so he or she can tell you the right diagnosis for your condition.
Wash your hands properly:
It is very important to wash your hands using warm water and antibacterial soap. When you have a good hand washing, then it can go a long way to prevent the exposure to infections and germs, especially if your immune system and neutrophil levels are low. You should scrub your hands with soap and water for 15 – 30 seconds. Then, you should rinse them well under warm and running water and dry your hands well with a paper towel.
You should be sure to wash your hands before eating, drinking or taking medicine and after using the bathroom. You should wash your hands before touching foods or any parts of your body, especially your mouth, nose and eyes. You should always wash your hands after touching your pets or other animals.
Dairy to eat:
You can eat all pasteurized milk and dairy products, such as sour cream, ice cream, yogurt and cheese.
Dairy to avoid:
You should forget about all unpasteurized milk and yogurt, yogurt made with active or live cultures, soft cheeses, cheeses with mold, Mexican – style cheeses like queso, cheeses with uncooked vegetables and aged cheeses.
Starches to eat:
You should eat all breads, cooked pastas, fries, whole grains, peas, corn, beans, cooked sweet potato, cereal, pancakes, French toast and chips.
Avoid raw starches:
You need to avoid bread with raw nuts, uncooked pasta, raw grains and raw oats.
Vegetables to eat:
You can eat all cooked or frozen vegetables.
Vegetables to avoid:
You should avoid raw vegetables, salads, raw grains, raw oats and uncooked pasta.
Fruits to eat:
You can eat all canned and frozen fruit and fruit juices, along with thoroughly washed and peeled thick-skinned fruits, like grapefruit, bananas and oranges.
Fruits to avoid:
You should avoid dried fruits, unwashed raw fruits and unpasteurized fruit juices.