All You Need To Know About Your Lymphatic System
I’m willing to bet that you don’t think very much about your lymphatic system. In fact, you may not even know what it is. Yet, this system is vital to your very life. In this article we discover what the lymphatic system is and how you can ensure that it continues to operate optimally.
What is the Lymphatic System?
Your lymphatic system is your body’s built-in cleaning service, similar to the drains in your house. It removes excess particles and fluids from your tissues and returns them to the blood vessels. The lymphatic system is also home to immune cells, which develop and mature there. In addition, the lymphatic system helps to filter microbes like bacteria.
Lymph vessels are located in every part of the body except for the central nervous system, bone marrow and any tissues that do not have blood vessels in them. An example of this is the lens of the eye.
In addition to the functions already mentioned, the lymphatic system also maintains fluid balance in the body, aids fat absorption and improves immunological function.
Your body contains around 600 lymph nodes. These constitute the tissue that is located along the length of the lymph vessels. Your lymph nodes are like checkpoints in that they analyse the blood in search of impurities and then filter it before returning it to the blood vessels.
The body also contains special lymphoid organs. These include the tonsils, adenoids, thymus. These contain special cells which fight infection.
Lymphatic System & Immunity
The lymphatic system plays a key role in immunity. If you injure yourself, causing a break in the skin, you open your body up to harmful microbes. When these enter the body they make contact with interstitial fluid. From there they are able to enter the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is able to trigger macrophages, or mobile white cells, that detect and destroy these microbes.
Another defense mechanism that operates as part of the lymphatic system are special organ tissues that are called mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues (MALTs). These can be found in mucous vessels outside of the lymphatic vessels such as the tonsils. They are among the largest of all the lymphatic tissues. The lymphatic tonsils are able to inspect everything that is ingested into the body in order to prevent bacteria getting into the stomach.
Another type of MALT is known as Peyer’s Patches. These are located at the end of the small intestine. Most people have between 30 and 40 of these patches. They contain a number of different immune cells which will attack any identified microbes. Peyer’s Patches are also believed to play a role in determining oral immune tolerance but researchers are unclear as to exactly what that role is.
Improving Your Lymphatic System
We mentioned at the outset that your lymphatic system is similar to the drains in your house. Just like those drains, it can become clogged up and stop functioning optimally. Here are 5 things you can do to keep it working well:
Exercise - regular exercise boosts the oxygen supply and stimulates blood circulation, both of which are beneficial for the lymphatic system. Jumping up and down also promotes the flow of lymph nodes throughout the body.
Reducing Stress - stress is bad news for your lymphatic system. Keep it to a minimum by getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night, practicing mindful meditation and doing deep breathing exercises.
Sweat - perspiration removes toxins from the body, which helps improve the functioning of the lymphatic system. In addition to regular exercise, try taking an infra-red sauna.
Herbs - there are a number of herbs that have been shown to be particularly beneficial for boosting the effectiveness of the lymphatic system. These include Milk Thistle, Essiac Tea and Manjistha.
Dry Brushing - dry brushing your skin is an ancient Ayurvedic technique which has been shown to improve circulation, increase detoxification and stimulate natural healing. Get hold of a coarse bristle brush and take broad strokes across your skin toward your heart.
