Let’s talk lymph!

The lymphatic system is considered the body’s’ drainage system and is easily overlooked when looking for the root cause of chronic disease and underlying symptoms.

But the lymph system needs SO much more attention.

It includes your lymph, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, and thymus.

Interesting to also add bone marrow here as its where lymphocytes (immune cells) mature.

The lymph system detoxifies the body by removing waste and offensive substances such as bacteria, allergens, mould, fungi, chemicals, heavy metals and trans fats.

They all leave the body eventually but by having a healthy lymph system means toxins are not stagnant.

To let you know exactly how your body’s’ lymph system could be impacting your health, the following is a list of symptoms that can be experienced due to lymph being stagnate in your body:

Here is what lymph stagnation is linked to:

Brain Fog

  • Brain Fog

  • Fatigue

  • Headaches

  • Migraines

  • Depression

  • Insomnia

  • Chronic Sinus Issues

  • Allergies

  • Acne

  • Skin Conditions- dry and itchy

  • Constipation

  • Bloating and Feeling swollen

  • Weight Gain

  • Cellulite

  • Pain and Aching Joints

  • Always feeling cold or like you have the flu

Its important to take care of your lymphatic system! It’s the lymphatic system that is a key player in your immune system and your detoxification.

Lymph being fluid does NOT circulate as easily as blood that has the heart to pump it around the body. Lymph relies on movement to be squeezed through the body and as a result there can be stagnation.

Lymph contains toxins and waste products, and this includes white blood cells that are key players for your immune system to defend against pathogens. Therefore, lymph nodes are located at various locations around the body to produce immune cells to fight infection and are near your neck, armpit, groin, abdomen.

**Interestingly the most important part of the body to drain is the neck. This will allow the lymphatics in the brain to drain the toxins stored within.

When there is an infection or a foreign substance these nodes act as a filter and swell due to an increase in immune cells and lymph fluid.

The lymph system also moves fat through your body after the absorption of nutrients and digestion. Specifically, fat-soluble nutrients and cholesterol.

Clearly, with any lymphatic dysfunction, there will be inflammation leading to obesity especially as toxins and metabolic waste are bound to fat and move through the lymph system to be processed and eliminated.

It is the lymph systems job to keep the body in homeostasis by balancing the bodies fluids to minimise edema and swelling.

With a focus on lymphatic drainage, we are working on efficient detoxification protocols and moving toxins and waste through the body.

When the body and lymphatic movement becomes sluggish it becomes harder for the body to eliminate toxins and stagnation occurs.

It is important to spend time caring for a healthy lymph system. If the body becomes prone to oxidative stress and/or chronic inflammation symptoms (as listed will arise) leading to chronic dis-ease (autoimmune disorders; lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma).

Clinical studies have published the association with increased oxidative stress (due to excess free radical formation, lymphatic congestion, lymph disorders) and inflammation that will lead to an accumulation of lymph and a sluggish lymph system.

This makes the body very inefficient and detoxification pathways congested.

Clinically we run a HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) with every client and we see a lot of sluggish detoxification and slow metabolism. Minerals being out of balance are a key contributor. Poor absorption of minerals in the gut and (fat) lipid metabolism leads to a sluggish lymph system.

A great starting point to see how efficient your body is running is to organise a HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) with us today.

There are also key elements you can work on to keep your lymphatic system healthy and moving so your body’s drainage system is optimal:

Movemebt for lympth circulation

  • Focus on a healthy wholefood diet

  • Minimal processed foods

  • Keep hydrated (know exactly how much water you are drinking p/day)

  • Exercise to keep the lymph system moving

  • Reduce your exposure to toxins in the environment (plastic use, pesticides)

  • Dry skin brushing

  • Deep breathing, Mindfulness and Yoga

  • Using LymFATic gloves and cream (we stock these in the clinic and available online on our website)

  • Castor oil packs (also available in clinic and online on our website)

  • Stretching, walking, dancing

  • Lymphatic massage (find on YouTube, or local clinic)

  • Infrared Heating Pads to stimulate circulation and blood flow

So, it is important to LOVE your LYMPH!

Make contact today to run a HTMA to see how efficient your detoxification pathways are and how stagnation could be slowing your body’s processes down and causing unpleasant symptoms.

By working with a HTMA protocol (and balancing minerals) you are working towards a gentle detoxification process that supports a healthy lymph system.

Get in touch today to kickstart your health journey and make looking after your lymphatic system a priority.

Functional Testing, HTMA TestingElle HarrisonLymphatic System