The Body’s Natural Drainage System

A Health Lymphatic System

Many of us have heard the terms ‘lymph,’ ‘lymph nodes,’ or lymphatic.’ However, few people actually know what these terms mean, or understand how they function within our bodies. The lymphatic system is a highly important part of your body’s overall immune system, and serves as a defense against toxins and waste that enter our bodies. As a subset of the circulatory system, it also plays an important role in nourishment as well.

As a network of organs, nodes, ducts, vessels, and fluids, the lymphatic system serves multiple functions of high importance to your physical well-being. Some of these functions include: transporting nutrients, detoxing cells, and offering protection against antigens like viruses and bacteria. Rediscover your lymphatic system, learn what to watch out for, and find out natural tips to keep it healthy with this inside look.

 

Learning the Lymphatic System 101

The lymphatic system consists of many different parts, such as lymph, lymph capillaries, and the lymphatic organs which include your lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, and thymus. Lymph nodes exist in sporadic locations in our bodies, and filter the lymph. The tonsils serve as a first line of defense against pathogens that may come through your mouth or nose. The thymus produces T-cells, and creates the hormone thymosin to ensure that the lymphatic organs grow properly. Finally, the spleen cleans out the blood, and serves as a backup supply of fresh blood in cases of hemorrhage for instance.

Your lymphatic system plays a big role in keeping your body healthy. It returns the extra interstitial fluids back into your blood stream. Interstitial fluid contains the white blood cells that fight off infections. Up to ninety percent of this fluid gets to find its way back to your blood stream, while a lucky ten percent surrounds the cells that make up our tissues. Once the larger amount that returns to the veins makes it to the lymph capillaries, the fluid changes into lymph – a clear substance rich with white blood cells.

Once the lymph moves through the body to collect the toxins and antigens, the six hundred to seven hundred lymph nodes will clean out the lymph by filtering it and terminate the potential threats before releasing the lymph again. The lymphatic system is also responsible for your body’s ability to properly absorb fats and fat soluble vitamins. It steers the nutrients into the veins through the capillaries and villi that line the intestines. The capillaries take in the majority of nutrients that pass through your digestive system.

 

Looking Out for Your Lymphatic System

Like all the systems that make our body function, the lymphatic system can encounter some trouble in working properly. A number of different problems can occur with the lymphatic system, and are often either caused or worsened by autoimmune disorders that weaken the immune system.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma exhibits symptoms such as the painless swelling of nodes around the neck, genitals, and armpits as well as constant tiredness, fever, night sweats, and extreme weight loss. Often a result of diseased white blood cells, it typically develops because of autoimmune deficiencies or diseases.

A person struggling with lymphedema may experience a heavy or tight sensation alongside of swelling on the arm or leg. He or she may have difficulty moving around, restricted by pain. Fibrosis may become an issue as a result of this condition. It is often caused by damage to the nodes and vessels or one of two inherited conditions called Milroy’s disease or Meige’s disease. Damage can occur from surgery or cancer treatment through radiation.

Lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma are both types of cancer that occur in the lymphatic system. The first occurs in the bone marrow, while the second develops in the lymphatic tissues. Early symptoms may include fatigue and general weakness alongside weight loss and a full sensation in the stomach.

These are a few of the major concerns you may need to watch out for to maintain a healthy lymphatic system. Other conditions centered around the functions of your lymphatic system exist that could weaken your immune system’s ability function properly. If you experience major difficulties recovering from common illnesses, then you may need to seek professional help.

 

Loving Your Lymphatic System

You keep your health at an optimal level and  show your lymphatic system some love by adding some common practices to your routine. Some simple methods allow you to expand the health of your lymphatic system by taking preventative and healing measures. If you already have an existing condition, then these methods may improve your state of well-being as well.

First and foremost, ensure that you avoid ingesting processed foods that contain chemicals as ingredients, like preservatives, dyes, and added flavorings. Stay away from sodas and other drinks that are brightly colored in neon blues, greens, yellows, and other colors. They can cause your lymphatic system to overwork itself, thus making it work less effectively. Removing as many processed foods from your diet as possible will also improve the functions, as the ingredients used in these foods can allow infections from antigens to fester. To read more about some examples of these chemicals, read our article about processed foods.

Keep your lymphatic system up to speed with water. When you do not consume enough water every day, then the lymph fluid does not produce or travel adequately through the body. It slows down in response, which can allow harmful pathogens to gain the upper hand in taking over your body and making you sick.

Consume plenty of raw fruits – especially on an empty stomach. Raw fruits contain powerful enzymes and acids that have a cleansing effect on the lymphatic system. Cranberries prove particularly potent in dissolving and removing harmful fats that may get caught in the system, because of the high content of flavonoids, malic, citric, and quinic acids available upon consumption.

Eat more spinach, kale, and romaine, as these foods contain plenty of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll will boost the performance of the lymphatic system and assists the cleansing process. You can also add more avocado, almonds, walnuts, and other foods high in essential fatty acids. Fatty acids protect the functions of the system, and aid in its performance.

Proper exercise and breathing practices will also help ensure a healthy lymphatic system. When you breath, your lymph fluid can move around freely. Each exhale allows toxins to move out of your system. Each inhale brings lymph fluid to your liver for cleansing. Exercise not only helps breathing practices, but also improves circulation of bodily fluids overall.

 

Find Lymphatic Balance with face naturals

Face naturals publishes many articles on the subject of your health, and how to obtain an optimal level of it. Check out our ingredient highlights to find out which ingredients we use in our products can also aid your body’s functions as a source of food. You can also learn how to naturally manage some conditions by looking at our other health-related blog posts.

Learn more about our products and how to use them by contacting us or checking out some of the blogs we posted about our products. We have a skin-care routine that is bound to work for you, and will help your body obtain the highest level of health and natural beauty possible. We look forward to hearing from you, and making you a satisfied member of the face naturals family today!

 

References:

 

• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Lymphatic System: Facts, Functions, and Diseases
• Lymphatic System
• Lymphedema
• Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• 11 Ways to Boost Your Lymphatic System for Great Health
• Green Superfoods
• Love Your Lymph