A healthy lymphatic system is the key to maintaining good health. It labors endlessly to clean up the mess made by virtually all the other systems of the body. It is widely regarded as a lesser sister to the circulatory system and is a crucial player in your body’s ability to ward off a multitude of diseases and heal from various injuries. In fact, many European doctors and healers believe that poor lymph function is the underlying culprit to a host of problems from cellulite to arthritis to cancer.
The Lymphatic System consists of:
- Lymph – The clear yellowish liquid circulating in the lymphatic system.
- Lymphocytes – the smallest of all the white blood cells, play a role in immunity, including antibody production.
- Lymph Vessels – carry lymph fluid from lymph capillaries to veins.
- Lymph Nodes – bean shaped structures that filter lymph fluid and remove bacteria and other material.
- Tonsils – large groups of lymph nodules located beneath the mucous membranes in the mouth and in the back of the throat. They form a protective ring of lymphatic tissue around the openings between the nasal and oral cavities and the pharynx (part of the throat).
- Spleen – roughly the size of a clenched fist, it sits in the upper left abdominal cavity, and is the largest of the lymphatic organs. It responds to foreign substances in the blood, destroys worn out red blood cells and is the storage site for blood cells.
- Thymus Gland – a bi-lobed lymph gland that produces lymphocytes, which then move to other lymphatic tissues where they can respond to foreign substances.
The 3 primary functions of the lymphatic system are:
1) It is responsible for maintaining proper fluid balance within the tissues of the body.
2) It absorbs fat and other substances from the digestive tract.
3) The lymphatic system is a key player the body’s defense system, filtering out bacteria and cellular debris.
Unlike the circulatory system, which utilizes the heart muscle to pump blood through the arteries, the lymphatic system is a passive system. This simply means that it relies on breathing (proper deep breathing), muscle movement with exercise, or passive movement as in a massage, to push the lymph fluid through the body.
The lymphatic system works steadily to maintain a healthy balance. Sedentary lifestyles or a lack of adequate activity cause the fluid to become stagnant, allowing edema to set in. Inflammation, painful joints, and poor circulation soon limit the ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. This is the beginning of some potential life altering situations if not corrected immediately.
There are many things you can do to assist the process and ensure the lymphatic systems’ ability to continually remove the sewage it pumps out daily. I began incorporating several of these techniques into my life years ago in an effort to decrease inflammation and pain in my hands and feet. The ability to have some control over my health with using such easy-to-do techniques, makes it doable, gives me a sense of empowerment in my own health care and prevents me from relying on prescription drugs for inflammation. Some suggestions include:
- Incorporate a healthy diet filled with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods, and avoid simple sugar and carbohydrates.
- Drink plenty of purified or filtered water – at least half your body’s weight in ounces daily
- Schedule a massage on a regular basis.
- Body brushing to stimulate lymphatic flow.
- Use a mini trampoline or rebounder to stimulate the lymphatic system.
- Gentle exercise with gardening, yard work, ballroom dancing, yoga, QiGong and/or Tai Chi has many benefits beyond increasing lymph flow.
- Regular deep breathing into the belly allows the diaphragm to fully expand. It’s a massage for the internal organs.
- Sit in a sauna or steam bath on a weekly basis. It’s a great way to sweat out the toxins and support healthy lymphatic function.
- Acupuncture will help move the trapped energy in the lymphatic system.
- Try to maintain a stress-free life style. This will require you to take a close look at your habits and choices, and possibly make a few positive changes.
Maintaining a healthy lymphatic system is crucial for good physical and emotional health, as well as overall well-being. Making a few simple changes will have a dramatic impact on your life. I challenge you to take a good look at your current lifestyle. Are you healthy – physically and emotionally? What do your daily activities consist of? What change/s can you successfully make today that will make a dramatic difference in your well-being today, tomorrow and in years to come?
“Take care of your body, … it’s the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn