White blood cells, known as leukocytes, are mainly produced in the bone marrow and are involved in protecting us against infection. Leukocytes are far less numerous than red blood cells (erythrocytes) and have a much shorter lifespan. Whereas erythrocytes spend their days circulating within the blood vessels, leukocytes routinely leave the bloodstream to perform their defensive functions in the body’s tissues. The most common type of leukocyte is the neutrophil, which is the “immediate response” cell and accounts for 55 to 70% of the total leukocyte count. Neutrophils are remarkably short-lived with a circulating half-life of six to eight hours and are therefore produced at a staggering rate of between 50 and 100 billion cells per day (Summers et al. 2010).
For the vast majority of us, the body already produces many more lymphocytes than it can possibly use, and the extra cells remove themselves through a natural process of cell death called apoptosis. The concept of boosting or enhancing our immune system therefore starts to make little sense scientifically. However, yoga as part of a healthy lifestyle can help our immune system to continue to work optimally.
Reference:
Join one of my upcoming live workshops: