Can Diet Affect Neutrophil Count? A Comprehensive Guide

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study involving mice and healthy human volunteers, dietary fatty acids significantly influence the traffic and mobilization of neutrophils. This research, and other evidence, strongly suggests that what we eat can directly and indirectly affect our neutrophil count, a crucial component of the immune system.

Quick Summary

Nutritional intake significantly affects white blood cell production and function, including neutrophils. Specific vitamin deficiencies (B12, folate, copper) and fatty acid types can impact neutrophil counts, as can the overall health of your gut microbiome.

Key Points

Nutrient Deficiencies Can Cause Neutropenia: Inadequate intake of vitamins B12, folate, and copper is a known cause of low neutrophil counts.
Fatty Acids Influence Neutrophil Trafficking: Dietary saturated fats (SFAs) can strongly promote the release of neutrophils from bone marrow, while monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) have a milder effect.
PUFAs Modulate Neutrophil Behavior: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as omega-3s, can influence neutrophil recruitment and delay their cell death.
Gut Health Supports Neutrophil Activity: A healthy gut microbiome, maintained by a balanced diet with probiotics, contributes to optimal white blood cell activity.
Some Foods Can Inhibit Production: Excess sugar, processed foods, and alcohol can all have a negative impact on immune and bone marrow function, potentially suppressing neutrophil production.
Neutropenic Diet Controversy: The restrictive 'neutropenic diet' lacks strong evidence and may cause nutrient deficiencies. General food safety is often the primary recommendation for immunocompromised patients.
Dark Chocolate Can Acutely Increase Neutrophils: Acute intake of dark chocolate has been shown to increase peripheral blood neutrophil counts in healthy individuals.

The Core Connection: How Nutrition Impacts Immune Cells

Your body's immune system is highly dependent on a steady supply of nutrients to produce and maintain its cellular components, including white blood cells like neutrophils. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and serve as the immune system's first line of defense against infections. A low neutrophil count, known as neutropenia, can leave the body vulnerable to infections. Conversely, abnormally high counts (neutrophilia) can be a sign of underlying issues, such as inflammation. While the most significant drops in neutrophil count are often caused by medical treatments like chemotherapy or underlying illnesses, diet plays a key supporting and regulatory role.

Micronutrients Essential for Neutrophil Production

Several vitamins and minerals are critical for the bone marrow's production of healthy blood cells. Deficiencies in these key micronutrients can directly lead to neutropenia.

Vitamin B12 and Folate: These B vitamins are crucial for the synthesis of DNA and cell division, processes vital for the bone marrow's production of all blood cells, including neutrophils. A lack of either can result in megaloblastic anemia and neutropenia. Foods rich in these include leafy greens, eggs, dairy, and fortified cereals.
Copper: This trace mineral is involved in iron metabolism and cell growth. A deficiency in copper is a known cause of neutropenia. Rich sources include shellfish, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate.
Zinc: Zinc plays a supportive role in immune cell function, helping the body produce white blood cells and making existing ones more effective at combating infection. It can be found in meats, dairy, seeds, and nuts.
Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant is known to stimulate the production, function, and movement of white blood cells. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries are excellent sources.

The Impact of Macronutrients

Beyond micronutrients, the type of fats consumed can also have a surprising and significant effect on neutrophil behavior. A study published in 2022 revealed that different types of dietary fatty acids influence the release and trafficking of neutrophils from the bone marrow.

Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs): Found in foods like butter, SFAs were shown to strongly promote the movement of neutrophils from the bone marrow into the blood. This effect is linked to the stimulation of specific inflammatory chemokines.
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs): Present in olive oil, MUFAs were found to have a much milder effect on neutrophil mobilization compared to SFAs. MUFAs are associated with reduced inflammation and may help preserve bone marrow health.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): Diets rich in PUFAs, such as omega-3s from fatty fish and flaxseeds, can also influence neutrophil behavior. One study found that PUFAs can enhance recruitment and delay the cell death of neutrophils in the spleen.

Comparing the Effects of Dietary Fats on Neutrophil Activity


Feature	Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs)	Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs)	Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)
Effect on Mobilization	Strong promotion of neutrophil traffic from bone marrow to blood.	Mild to low effect on neutrophil mobilization.	Modulates recruitment and function of neutrophils.
Effect on Inflammation	Associated with increased bone marrow inflammation.	Linked to decreased occurrence of inflammation.	Supports a healthy inflammatory response.
Associated Chemokines	Increases inflammatory chemokines like CXCL2.	May help preserve a balanced chemokine profile.	Can influence chemotaxis and immune signaling.
Impact on Apoptosis	Increases neutrophil apoptosis in the bone marrow post-meal.	Mild or no effect on apoptosis post-meal.	Delays neutrophil cell death in the spleen.

The Gut Microbiome and Other Dietary Influences

The gut microbiome plays an increasingly recognized role in immune health, including its influence on neutrophil activity. A balanced gut flora, supported by a healthy diet, contributes to a more robust immune system. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut can support this balance. Conversely, foods that can negatively impact immune function should be limited:

Excess Sugar: A high intake of sugar can weaken the overall immune response and negatively impact neutrophil function.
Processed Foods: Lacking in essential nutrients, processed foods can deprive the body of the building blocks it needs for optimal immune function.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can suppress bone marrow function, thereby inhibiting the production of white blood cells.
Fasting: Extreme or prolonged fasting can lead to neutropenia due to shifts in plasma volume and potential protein depletion affecting bone marrow activity.

The Controversial Neutropenic Diet

For decades, a strict "neutropenic diet" was prescribed to immunocompromised patients to prevent infection from foodborne bacteria. This diet restricts raw fruits, vegetables, and undercooked meats. However, current research has largely discredited this approach, finding no significant difference in infection or mortality rates between patients on a neutropenic diet and those on a standard diet with proper food safety practices. Many medical institutions now focus on general food safety guidelines rather than blanket food restrictions. For more details, see the British Dietetic Association's guidance on eating safely with neutropenia.

Conclusion

Diet absolutely can affect neutrophil count and overall immune health, though it is one of many factors. While it is not a cure for conditions that cause significant neutropenia, a nutrient-dense and balanced diet is vital for supporting normal white blood cell production and function. Deficiencies in vitamins like B12, folate, and C, as well as minerals like copper and zinc, can lead to lower counts. Furthermore, the type of fat consumed impacts neutrophil trafficking and inflammation. For anyone looking to support their immune system, focusing on a diet rich in essential nutrients and practicing sound food safety is a beneficial strategy. Always consult a healthcare provider for any medical condition related to your neutrophil count.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help increase your neutrophil count, focus on a nutrient-rich diet that includes lean protein (meat, fish, eggs), foods high in vitamins B12 (dairy, eggs) and folate (leafy greens), and sources of copper (nuts, seeds) and zinc (meats, nuts).

Yes, deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can cause neutropenia. Specifically, low levels of vitamin B12, folate (vitamin B9), and copper can interfere with the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to a decreased neutrophil count.

Current research indicates there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional neutropenic diet in preventing infection in immunocompromised patients. Instead, emphasis is placed on general food safety and hygiene practices.

For those with neutropenia, avoiding foods that carry a high risk of foodborne bacteria is important. This includes raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy, raw eggs, raw sprouts, and unwashed fresh produce. Proper food handling and cooking methods are key.

Research shows that different types of dietary fatty acids can influence neutrophil levels. Saturated fats can promote the release of neutrophils from the bone marrow into the blood, while polyunsaturated fats like omega-3s can modulate their recruitment and survival.

A small study found that acute intake of dark chocolate (specifically 90% cocoa) can lead to a temporary increase in neutrophil counts in peripheral blood in healthy individuals. However, this is considered a short-term, preanalytical variability, not a clinical treatment.

Prolonged fasting can potentially lead to neutropenia due to shifts in plasma volume and decreased bone marrow activity in some cases. However, the response can be variable and depends on the specific circumstances.