The Lymphatic System
We don’t give the lymphatic system enough attention and admiration, but we need to.
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immune function and in the delivery of vital nutrients to the body.
Functioning almost like a sponge, the lymphatic system absorbs excess lymph fluid from the body’s organs and returns it to the blood stream. Fun fact, our body contains more lymphatic fluid than blood!
To keep the lymphatic system healthy, first we must drink plenty of water to flush the toxins. Secondly, we must be active. Movement is crucial for the lymphatic system to work properly. The blood has the heart to pump it but lymphatic fluid depends solely on how active we are!
Let’s dive into all the great things our lymphatic system is responsible for.
• Your lymphatic system is the first line of defense against disease, it runs from the top of our head to the bottom of our feet!
• It works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen, and hormones from the blood to the cells
• Lymphatic organs include tonsils, spleen, appendix, bone marrow, and the thymus gland
• Lymphatic fluid collects waste throughout the body and is taken to the lymph nodes to get filtered, making it your sanitation system
• Your lymphatic system is responsible for removing excess fluid, waste, debris, dead cells, pathogens, bacteria, cancer cells and other toxins from cells and the tissue spaces between them.
• Helps to keep the body’s other channels of elimination clear: skin, liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, and vaginal tract
• Lymph nodes are small clumps of tissue along the network of lymph vessels that clean lymph as it moves through them. They filter out viruses, bacteria, and fungi that can cause illnesses.
Things to Avoid that are Harmful to the Lymphatic System
Foods
Refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, processed foods, fatty meats, and refined vegetable oils. These may cause inflammation and blockages in the lymphatic system. High amounts of meat protein, processed gluten, soy, and shellfish can also be harmful.
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Chemicals from pesticides and cleaning products can build up in the body and make it harder to filter waste.
Refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, processed foods, fatty meats, and refined vegetable oils. These may cause inflammation and blockages in the lymphatic system. High amounts of meat protein, processed gluten, soy, and shellfish can also be harmful.
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Chemicals from pesticides and cleaning products can build up in the body and make it harder to filter waste.
Obesity
Obesity can damage the lymphatic system and lead to lymphedema.
Obesity can damage the lymphatic system and lead to lymphedema.
How to Keep the Lymphatic System Healthy
First we must drink plenty of water to flush the toxins. Secondly, we must be active. Movement is crucial for the lymphatic system to work properly. The blood has the heart to pump it, but lymphatic fluid depends solely on how active we are!
Exercise
Physical activity helps move lymph fluid through your body. You can try walking, jogging, rebounding, or swimming.
Physical activity helps move lymph fluid through your body. You can try walking, jogging, rebounding, or swimming.
Hydration
Drinking plenty of water helps flush out your lymph system and prevent toxins from building up.
Drinking plenty of water helps flush out your lymph system and prevent toxins from building up.
Massage
Massage therapy can help activate your lymphatic system and break up lymph congestion. You can try a lymphatic drainage massage, or any type of deep tissue massage.
Massage therapy can help activate your lymphatic system and break up lymph congestion. You can try a lymphatic drainage massage, or any type of deep tissue massage.
Nutrition
Eat a healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, plant protein, and healthy fats. Some foods that can help with inflammation include green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, berries, nuts, seeds, and omega-3s.
Stress management
Try to manage stress through techniques like yoga, exercise and deep breathing to help fluids circulate.
Try to manage stress through techniques like yoga, exercise and deep breathing to help fluids circulate.
Dry brushing
Dry brushing can help keep your lymphatic system healthy while exfoliating your skin.
Dry brushing can help keep your lymphatic system healthy while exfoliating your skin.
Supplements
Fortunately, nature has provided us with the necessary herbs to help us maintain this beautiful system. Some herbs that can help with inflammation include turmeric, mullein, and garlic.
Check out this incredible herbal formula
that was made to aid in all things lymphatic!
"Lymphatic Health"
Enhances the immune system, helps purify lymphatic fluids, and promotes lymph circulation while removing toxins from the blood stream. It contains Mullein Leaf, Garlic bulb, Yarrow Flowers, Echinacea, Turmeric Root, and Golden Seal Root.