Avoid problems: decongest your lymphatic system

There are several glands and organs in the body that are responsible for purifying the body of toxins and foreign agents that can cause harm. The lymphatic system is one of them and it is more important than we think.

Always in the shadow of the circulatory system, it rarely receives the attention it should. This is perhaps because it is a system with a vast network of conducting vessels, just like the circulatory system, but which, instead of transporting blood, transports lymph. Although they work in a connected way.

The lymphatic system is made up of organs, vessels and tissues that have important functions in our body, such as capturing toxins and waste that the circulatory system has forgotten in the interstitial space; transporting fats from the intestine and contributing to the body's immune responses when detecting an infectious agent, among others.

Sympathize with your lymphatic system

It could be said that the key to ensuring that our body's defense system works flawlessly is found in the lymphatic network.

The lymphatic vessels or tubes have pools called lymph nodes along their path, which are found predominantly in the armpits, neck, groin and abdomen.

In addition to forming a structure similar to that of the circulatory system, the lymphatic system is also found in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, thymus, tonsils, and spleen.

Key functions of the lymphatic system

Transport of fats . When we consume a food, our digestive tract is responsible for dissolving it until it becomes very small particles that can pass into the bloodstream, which is responsible for taking it to the places where our body is needing that energy or to store it in if not used.

The specific function of the lymphatic system here is to assist in the process of absorbing fat in the intestine and to help transport it, through the lymphatic vessels, into the bloodstream.

Fluid drainage . The circulatory system is known to be a vast network that delivers oxygen and nutrients to different parts of our body in order to keep us alive and energized. This happens through the blood that travels through the arteries to the tissues where it leaves the “home” and returns through the veins with CO2 and metabolic waste to be eliminated by the lungs, kidneys or liver.

When the arteries in their smallest form, which are the capillaries, reach the tissues, a little liquid escapes that is not blood but plasma, a liquid fraction of the blood that is like water and stays floating in what we call the interstitial space (the space between cells). Part of this liquid is reabsorbed by the circulatory system, while another part is absorbed by the lymphatic system, which is what we call lymph and ends up in the two large lymphatic ducts of our body, which are the right lymphatic duct (collects lymph from the right side of the body) and the thoracic duct (collects lymph from the left side and the lower part of the body, limbs and abdomen).

It is through these two large lymphatic ducts that communication with the circulatory system occurs so that the fluid is returned to the blood. Many of the diseases that concern the lymphatic system occur precisely because its ability to collect plasma from the interstitial space loses its efficiency.

Immune function . In addition to the vessels we have mentioned, the lymphatic system is made up of organs located in various parts of the body. These organs are made up of immune cells such as those we call lymphocytes (agents that specifically fight infectious bodies).

In fact, the lymphatic organs are differentiated from each other: there are those where lymphocytes are produced (T = thymus, B = bone marrow) and those where the lymphocytes travel (lymph nodes, spleen and tonsils).

Lymph nodes are like platoons of a defense army ready to attack and produce an immune response against any foreign object that enters the body. There occurs a phenomenon called “Antigen presentation to lymphocytes”: among the different tasks of the lymphocyte army there is an exploration squadron in which its cells (some called macrophages) go in search of microorganisms or other types of intruders that could have sneaked into the body and “eat” them. Macrophages also take advantage of the prey and rescue any useful substance such as proteins and place them on their surface as if they were alarm flags, warning the rest of the squadron that they have identified an intruder of the type bacteria or virus. This is what is called an antigen.

The next step is for the macrophages to carry their little flags (antigens) and show them to their fellow lymphocytes in their headquarters, which in this case are the lymph nodes. Once the lymphocytes are aware of the presence of the foreign body, they activate and multiply in order to quickly move to the infected tissue and participate in the counterattack.

Image by Shutterstock

The immune function of the lymphatic system is not limited to viruses and bacteria, but also detects cancer cells that may have escaped from a tumor to filter into the blood and move to other tissue to form a secondary tumor, which is what is known as metastasis. Can you now see why it is so important that the lymphatic system is not clogged?

How to maintain a decongested lymphatic system

Blockages, diseases or infections can affect the functioning of the lymphatic system. Diseases that develop in the lymphatic system as such can occur during pregnancy, affecting the fetus; others during childhood and others would develop as a result of diseases in other organs or injuries. Some of the best known diseases are,

• Enlarged lymph nodes ( lymphadenopathy ) - caused by infection, inflammation, or cancer. Diseases that can result in enlarged lymph nodes include strep throat, mononucleosis, HIV infection, and infected skin wounds.

• Swelling or fluid buildup ( lymphedema ): This occurs as a result of blockage of the lymphatic system caused by scar tissue from damaged lymph vessels or nodes. Lymphedema may also be seen when lymph nodes are removed in people who have had surgery or radiation to remove cancer. Lymphatic fluid buildup most often occurs in the arms and legs. Lymphedema may be very mild or quite painful, disfiguring, or disabling. People with lymphedema are at risk for serious, life-threatening deep skin infections.

• Lymphatic system cancers: Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes and occurs when lymphocytes grow and multiply out of control. There are several types of lymphoma, including Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancerous tumors may also block lymph channels or be near lymph nodes and interfere with the flow of lymph through the node.

• Other disorders: Lymphagitis (inflammation of lymphatic vessels); Lymphangioma (malformation of the lymphatic system at birth); Intestinal lymphangiopathy (loss of lymphatic tissue in the small intestine); Lymphocytosis (excessive number of lymphocytes in the body); Lymphatic filariasis (infection caused by a parasite that disrupts the functioning of the lymphatic system); Castelman's disease (excessive growth of lymphatic system cells in the body); Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (abnormal muscle-like cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys); Mesenteric lymphadentitis (inflammation of lymph nodes in the abdomen); Tonsillitis (inflammation and infection of the tonsils).

As you can see, the lymphatic system is spread throughout the body and is very important because it is where essential functions of purifying the body take place, as well as transporting nutrients and having an immunological action.

If the lymphatic system is not healthy and clear, and the lymph is not watery enough to move flexibly through the body, we are paving the way for pathologies of almost all kinds to take hold in our body.

Some signs that your lymphatic system requires cleansing:

• Arthritis
• Skin diseases
• Digestive disorders
• Frequent headaches
• Sinus infections
• Unexplained injuries
• Overweight
• Chronic fatigue

As mentioned above, the lymphatic system is often treated as part of the circulatory system and although it is true that they are connected by the function of returning toxins and waste to the bloodstream to be eliminated by the major organs (liver, kidneys, lungs), we must keep in mind that the circulatory system has a pumping organ, the heart, which drives the movement of blood throughout the body, while the lymphatic system lacks a force that drives it. This means that it is up to us to ensure that the lymphatic system is dynamic, since this is what the health of this system mainly depends on.

A dynamic lymphatic system is achieved through impact activities on the body

The body movements that activate the circulation of lymph through the lymphatic system are breathing, bowel activity, and muscle action, which create momentum and fluidity in the path of the lymphatic vessels toward the elimination of toxins from the body. Below are some ways to help create fluidity in your lymphatic system so that it can carry out its functions efficiently.

Physical exercise

Regular exercise is the key to a rock-solid lymphatic system. If you are a beginner, start with adaptation training sessions, that is, not too intense; as you feel more adapted, incorporate variables such as intensity and/or frequency into your workouts. One of the most effective ways to stimulate the lymphatic system is jumping rope.

Thermotherapy

Alternating the sauna with cold showers creates a pumping action that helps to expel toxic waste from the body. Heat dilates blood vessels, while cold water constricts them. However, this therapy is not recommended for pregnant women or people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

Acupuncture and lymphatic drainage

They are two alternative therapies that stimulate lymphatic flow and help eliminate toxins from the body.

Dry brush

Brush dry skin with a dry brush using circular movements from the bottom of the body upwards towards the heart. Try using a natural bristle brush and brushing your body for several minutes. This can be complemented by alternating hot and cold showers.

Drink filtered water

It is recommended to drink at least 1 ounce of water per kilogram of weight. That is, if you weigh 60 kilos, the minimum to drink is 60 ounces, which would be equivalent in liters to 1.7 liters of water. I take this opportunity to recommend the Nikken water system, which in addition to producing slightly alkaline water, is enriched with minerals that help maintain your organic balance. Follow this link and learn about the benefits: https://johannakoelle.mitiendanikken.com/productos/pimag/pimag-waterfall-con-paquete-de-repuestos-adicional-136418

Breathing

You should know that the human body has three times the volume of lymphatic fluid compared to the blood that runs through it and does not have a pumping system like the heart does for the circulatory system. One of the ways to provide the pumping that the lymphatic vessels need is through breathing, since by breathing deeply you are helping the lymphatic network transport toxins to the blood so that they can eventually be eliminated by the liver.

Here I recommend Wim Hof's breathing tutorial for beginners, which lasts 11 minutes and balances the entire body, either to start the day with all the energy or to enter a state of relaxation that allows you to fall asleep more easily.

Eat foods that promote lymphatic flow

Some of the foods that promote lymphatic system health are,

Green leafy vegetables Low sugar fruits Ground flaxseed Chia seeds Avocados

Garlic Brazil nuts Almonds Walnuts Blueberries

Avoid foods that cause blockages in the lymphatic system

The biggest aggressors for lymphatic flow obstruction in the human body are,

• Processed foods
• Meat (unless it is grass-fed)
• Artificial sweeteners
• Dairy products that are not organic
• Sugar
• Soy (unless it's organic tofu)
• Table salt

Consume drinks that stimulate lymphatic flow

The importance of water has already been mentioned above; lemon water is also a valid alternative and the following herbs are a good complement for cleansing the lymphatic system:

Echinacea

Cilantro

Parsley

I also suggest a treatment with essential oils: add a drop of lemon essential oil, a drop of grapefruit essential oil, a drop of rosemary essential oil and a drop of cypress essential oil to the water you drink during the day. Do this for a month. This subtly helps to decongest the lymphatic system.

Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals such as those contained in pesticides or cleaning products

These chemicals can build up in your system and make it difficult to filter out waste.