What Is the Ideal White Blood Cell Count?

Since white blood cell count is such a strong predictor of lifespan, what should we aim for and how do we get it there?

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Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

Icons created by Oliviu Stoian and Catherine Please from The Noun Project.

Image credit: Oorka via 123RF

[patty-cfjj]

The longer I was vegan and started exercising every day the lower my white blood cell count became. My doctor wondered why so she sent me to a hematologist who after running every test couldn't come up with a reason. NO ONE asked me a single thing about my diet. I'm so sick of doctors knowing nothing about nutrition.

[MatthewMartinDean]

I just looked mine up, I got WBC of 3.4. I'm a 44y/o nonsmoking, non-drinking, vegan & follow as much of Dr Gregors advice as I can.

[LUNR_HLL]

OMG i almost cry reading my lab result for the 3rd time my wbc is always so low around 3. Im so afraid that i hv cancer of something but then i read comments here, thank you I fee better

[talycali]

2.8 for me and don’t remember when I was sick since I cut out meat, dairy and processed food and ate whole food plant base.

[josryder]

I REALLY wish physicians were given nutritional studies…so many are so quick to run test test test and NEVER ask about lifestyle! My WBC for the past 3 years have been hovering btwn 2.7-2.8. NO ONE asked me about my diet! Thank you so much!!

[ayado]

This video has me relieved, wow! I had a WBC count of 3.95 and the doctor had me so worried. This is my healthiest year so far, with no medication at all, not even simple painkillers, yet the doctor thinks I have a problem. I've never done the test before so I can't tell if it has changed or not. I feel good.

[AdamIsMyNameO]

2.9 for me... haven't been sick in over a year

[BlessingNJ]

Wow! This is a life changing information seriously. My husband's doctor said his white blood cell count is at a lower side so she is worried and got us worried so much. I have not seen any information like this anywhere. I feel so relieved and at the same time, so disappointed at how most of doctors have no idea about what is going on. Thank you so much Dr. Michael!

[bwestby]

I’ve been in the 3.0 to 3.7 range my whole life and I eat meat but I also excersise 6 days a week and I hardly eat any processed foods. Plus I don’t drink or smoke. The average American does not fall into that category, thus the range of 4.5-10

[anthonyrondolino]

Definately a connection to diet & exercise. In May of 2021 I became concerned about Covid inactivity, weight gain and high triglycerides. So, decided change was in order. Went full-on Keto, intermittent fasting (16/8) and walking one hour every day. Triglycerides dropped from 170s to 40s, white count also went down from 4.9 to between 2.9 - 3.8 ….All with good energy, great sleep & return to college weight at 70+ yrs old.

[stephanieh]

Wow. My WBC was 4.0 and was flagged as low. I was worried! Thanks Dr. Gregor :)

[toskanacruz]

I was recently sent to a blood specialist to run further tests because they were alarmed with my low white blood cell count. I was freaking out because I was in a waiting room with a lot of cancer patients, too many to count. They asked me all these cancer related questions...
I conclude that I am Vegan and simply healthy 😊

[bgivco]

Yeah, my cardiologist is freaking out over my 3.7 WBC and 0.9 Lymphocytes, I'm 72 yo male, raw vegan & do 3 hrs of exercise daily, almost put me in a panic, I'm losing faith in the modern medical system. Thank you for posting the video!!!!

[omarguerrero]

I used to smoke, drink and eat trash food in the university about 5 years ago. Then a friend got cancer and I decided this was not the way I wanted to go I did hours of research on the internet on how to prevent cancer and heart disease from a young age hoping to undo some of the damage I did to my body. My first ever blood work at 22 Yo had a WBC of 8.2.
I stumbled upon Dr Greger's site about 3 years ago started following a plant based diet quit many bad habits smoking and drinking... I just turned 27 and went for a full blood work test... WBC is 5.02 everything else on optimal or close to optimal levels. Glad to see my body was able to heal... feeling better than ever. Thanks to Dr Grege for this very valuable videos.

[kde]

This video really helps a lot! Thank you very much! My WBC became 3.5 and 2.9. I am one of the people who almost never gets sick and I am considered pretty healthy person. Thank you very much!

[SonyFitnessDeportista]

*3 meses siendo Plantbased y mis glóbulos blancos bajaron increíblemente. Lo comprobé por estudios de laboratorio que me hice, no sólo eso, muchas cosas más que descubrí!!!! Gracias Doctor!!!!*

[FootballsFinest]

24 years old and my WBC has ranged from 2.3 to 3.2 over the last 5 years, No explanation. But i've felt good, no issues don't feel tired.

[BrazillianFOsho]

DR GREGER THANK YOU. When I got my test results back saying I had a WBC count of 3.35, I freaked out and thought I was sick with something. Now I know that’s a good thing! I’m gonna keep doing what I’m doing.

[tinasyoga]

My WBC count is slightly lower then average, I have no infection, no issues, have not missed work for the last 10 years. The Dr seemed to suggest this is an issue, Thanks for being a educator and providing this. (but I do eat organic eggs, and organic, raw cheese but moderately and eat mostly vegetables, olives, olive oil, berries and that is about it.

[pamfox]

Thank you Dr. Greger, I was tested twice for low wbc, 3.8. I am very relieved now. I feel great and rarely get mildly sick.