What Is Your Lymphatic System?...And Why Is It So Important?

What Is Your Lymphatic System?...And Why Is It So Important?

You may have heard of different parts that up your lymphatic system, but maybe as a whole you don’t know what the system is or what exactly it does. I bet by the end of this blog post you will know, and you will want to do your best to keep it healthy…:)

Let’s see what we can find out about one of the Awesome systems in our body…the lymphatic system…:)

So what is the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system helps to protect us from infection and disease if it is healthy. If you are not healthy it can help to spread disease throughout your body, that is why it is so important to consistently make healthy decisions and keep your body and its systems healthy.

Your lymphatic system is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the circulatory system and the immune system. It is made up of a network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymph fluid, organs, and tissues. The vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph towards the heart. Lymph is derived from the latin word “lymph”, meaning fresh water.

So what exactly is lymph?

Lymph: A colorless fluid containing infection fighting white blood cells, which bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream. (Live science)

Lymph surrounds all body tissues. Extra fluid from body tissue in the body drains and flows through small lymph vessels. This fluid is filtered through lymph nodes, and drains back into the bloodstream. (Macmillan)

Lymph also transports oxygen, nutrients and hormones to different parts of the body and removes metabolic waste from the cells. It transports antibodies and lymphocytes to the blood. Maintaining the composition of tissue fluid and the volume of blood. (Byjus)

So now that we know what lymph is, why is it so important?

The lymph fluid carries the waste products and destroyed bacteria back into the bloodstream. The liver or kidneys then remove these from the blood. The body passes them out with other body waste, through bowel movements or urine. (Macmillan)

So lymph is a a pretty important part of the lymphatic system. It is the fluid that helps to carry the icky by products and waste from our cells to lymph nodes to be filtered.

What are lymph nodes you ask?

There are lymph nodes throughout your body, but mainly the neck, armpits, groin, and abdomen. They filter and break down bacteria (germs) or other harmful cells from the lymph fluid. Lymph nodes vary in size. Some are as small as a pinhead, and others are about the size of a baked bean. The number of lymph nodes in the body differs from person to person. Different parts of the body have a different number of nodes. For example, there are about 15 to 30 small nodes in the armpit. (Macmillan)

The lymph vessels are what connects the lymphatic system. Lymph vessels are a network of tubes that connect groups of lymph nodes throughout the body. Some vessels are just under the skin. This means breaking the skin can easily damage them. Lymph fluid travels through the lymph vessels and drains into the bloodstream as we discussed above. (Macmillan)

So in a nutshell..

Inside the lymph nodes are white blood cells, these white blood cells attack and break down bacteria, viruses, damaged cells or cancer cells.

What are the signs your lymphatic system is not working properly?

If your lymphatic system is not working properly, fluid builds in your tissue and causes swelling, called lymphedema.

Other system problems can include infections, blockage, and cancer. (Medline)

The main sign of lymphedema are swelling in your arms or legs. Your fingers or toes may retain fluid as well. (Healthline)

Other conditions that show your lymphatic system requires detoxing:

Arthritis

Skin conditions

Digestive disorders

Frequent headaches

Sinus infections

Unexplained injuries

Excess weight

Chronic fatigue

(Synergy)

Why can’t you live without your lymphatic system?

Your lymphatic fluid includes proteins that are too large to be transported via the blood vessels. Loss of the lymphatic system would be fatal within a day…holy cow! :)

Without the lymphatic system draining excess fluid, our tissues would swell, blood volume wold be lost and pressure would increase. (Medicalnewstoday)

None of that sounds good at all..:)

So how do we keep our lymphatic system healthy?

Get inverted! Your can utilize gravity boots, headstands or handstands. You can also use a back inverter, or simply do the yoga pose legs up the wall( where you literally just put your legs up the wall). All of these options help reverse the effects of gravity and help to drain the lymph towards your heart, relieving congestion and encouraging its detoxification. (Robertson)

Drink clean water:

It is advisable to drink up to half your body weight in ounces of water per day to further cleanse your system of toxins. For example I weigh around 200 pounds, so for a minimum I would want to drink 100 ounces of clean water a day. I drink way more than that though and feel awesome…Just saying :)

Breathe deeper: Our bodies have 3 times more lymph than blood, but there is no organ to pump the lymph. The pumping action of deep breathing will help the lymphatic system transport the toxins into the blood before they are detoxified by the liver.

Exercise regularly:

Regular exercise is crucial for overall health as well as your lymphatic system. The most effective exercise for stimulating your lymphatic system is the small rebounder ( trampoline).

Hot and cold (showers or sauna and cold therapy (ice bath):

The hot helps to dilate the blood vessels, while the cold shrivels them back up. This creates a “pump” action that forces out the toxic fluids that have remained in the body. You can also combine dry brushing with the hot and cold therapy. Dry brushing consists of brushing your skin towards your heart, using a circular pattern at your joints (elbow, knee, etc) with a natural bristle brush. Do this before the hot and cold therapy.

No tight clothes:

Tight clothing reduces circulation in your lymphatic system. Tight clothing can lead to blockages in your lymphatic system as we discussed above. Maybe something to think about before you put on that tight outfit and head to the club…:)

Proper nutrition is always key for everything we do. Here are a list of foods that promote lymph flow:

Leafy green vegetables (MMM…my fav…:)

Low sugar fruits (in moderation)

Ground flaxseed

Chia seeds

Garlic

Avocados

Almonds

Brazil nuts

Walnuts

Cranberries (in moderation)

Herbs you can utilize to help stimulate lymph flow:

Parsley

Poke root

Cilantro

Goldenseal

Wild indigo root

Astragalus

Echinacea (only do for a couple weeks, and then take a break, this herb is potent stuff)

Foods that cause blockages to your lymphatic system:

Processed foods

Table salt

Soy

Sugar

Conventional dairy

Artificial sweeteners

Conventionally raised meat

All of the above does nothing good to your overall health as well. Not just your lymphatic system.

Alternative methods to stimulate lymph drainage:

Acupuncture is an effective treatment to stimulate lymph flow and help to remove toxins from your body.

Lymph-Biologics is also one of the easiest ways to detox your lymphatic system. This 3-part light wave with oscillating frequency can stimulate circulation in the lymph, drain fat, fluids, and toxins away from your cells for elimination. (synergy)

So you can see keeping your lymphatic system healthy is pretty important if you want to keep breathing…:)

It seems that everything always reverts back to good, clean nutrition, and an active lifestyle. If you are still struggling with where to start your journey to your best self, we are here to help. Check out all of the blog posts for a good place to start with your healthy decisions.

When you are ready to transform your life, we are here and offer packages to guide you mentally…physically (with nutrition)…emotionally…and energetically…:)

Be patient…be consistent…and enjoy your transformation…:)

Here’s to your health,

Cheers!

What Is Your Lymphatic System?...And Why Is It So Important?

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