Download White Blood Cells: An Overview of the Body`s Defense Army Human

White Blood Cells:
An Overview of the Body's Defense Army
Human beings produce a variety of white blood cells (often called leukocytes) which play a unique role in
protecting the body from a wide variety of potentially pathogenic concerns – both internally and externally
produced.
Generally, most WBCs are not found in the blood but rather in the tissues where potential invaders might be
found (especially in the GI tract). However, we may measure white blood cells in blood (abbreviated “WBC” on a
Complete Blood Count labwork panel) as an general indication of immune system readiness and activation.
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Transient, elevated levels of WBCs (typically greater than 10,000/uL) are usually indicative of some sort
of infection.
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In the absence of an infectious challenge, however, we still Ideally have a well-fortified army (e.g.
between 6000 and 8000/uL).
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Sustained, lower levels are likely indicative of some sort of immunosuppression (e.g. levels 5000 and
below). The body needs many nutrients and cofactors in order to manufacture white blood cells; two B
vitamins and two minerals are particularly important: Folate, Vitamin B12, Copper, and Zinc (all of which
can be tested for directly with fairly standard labwork). Suboptimal levels of one or more of these
nutrients can impair overall WBC generation.
There are five different types of white blood cells found in the human body, and each type has a set of highly
specialized functions to protect the body. You can use the information reported in the “Differential” component of
a Complete Blood Count (CBC) as an indication of general immune system activation in your clients.
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Neutrophils. These WBCs are the most numerous (typically 60-70% of circulating WBCs) and are the
body's “first responders” to the site of a wound or potential infection (invasion). They weaken or kill
microbial invaders by spewing a bleach-like substance on the microbes. The invaders are cleared from
the site by the neutrophils when they eat (engulf) them in a process called phagocytosis. Elevated
levels of neutrophils on a CBC is usually a sign of a recent infection.
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Eosinophils. Similar to neutrophils, eosinophils are particularly involved in defending the body from
microbial invaders, but in this case, especially from parasites. They will also be activated in allergic
response. When the body recognizes a known threat (antigen), we create higher levels of antibodies
specific to that antigen which stick to the “suspect”, thus alarming the rest of the immune system of the
threat. Eosinophils will destroy the antibody-coated antigen in response to this “adaptive” immune
response. They can also be activated to slow down the activity of basophils in an aggressive histaminemediated (IgE antibody) allergic reaction.
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Monocytes. These are the largest white blood cells which circulate in the blood waiting to be called into
action. Once they leave the blood at the site of a threat, monocytes convert themselves into
macrophages. These WBCs then consume foreign matter/invaders (again via phagocytosis). In
contrast to neutrophils, these are the late responders in the body that are often elevated in response to a
chronic or long-time infection. They are also responsible for the final “clean up” task at the end of an
inflammatory process, including clearing up other dead WBCs.
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Lymphocytes. These WBCs are differentiated into B cells and T cells. The presence of low levels of
neutrophils and high levels of lymphocytes can be indicative of a long-time “simmering” infection that the
body is having trouble fighting (e.g. gastrointestinal yeast overgrowth).
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B cells are created in the Bone marrow and kill bacteria. They are also responsible for producing
antibodies to specific substances that the body has experienced and now sees as a threat – our
“adaptive” immunity. The presence of these antibodies in the future will trigger a swifter, more
thorough attack that prevents more significant infection. We can develop antibodies to
environmental allergens, bacteria, foods, chemicals, or even our body's own enzymes (as is the
case in most autoimmune disorders).
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T cells are created in the Thymus and are responsible for the body's innate immune response (or
what is often called “cell mediated” immunity). These attack viruses, fungi, some bacteria, and
cancer cells.
Basophils. When these are triggered to leave the blood and enter tissues, they become mast cells and
release heparin and histamine (among other chemicals) as an inflammatory response to an allergic
trigger. Histamine causes dilation of blood vessels to bring more help to the site of a threat, and hepairin
thins blood to prevent coagulation and impaired blood flow. It is the IgE antibody (present in the case of
allergy) that triggers basophils to release these chemicals. High levels of histamine can cause mucosal
swelling (e.g. lips, tongue, throat) and impair or block one's ability to breathe in extreme situations.
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