The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It serves several functions, including maintaining fluid levels in the body, protecting the body from pathogens, and removing cellular waste. Having a well-functioning lymphatic system is crucial for overall health and wellbeing, so it’s important to understand and recognize the signs of a healthy lymphatic system.

Infections, diseases, and blockages can affect the lymphatic system and degrade its function. If your lymphatic system isn’t functioning optimally, this can cause sickness and mental and physical discomfort. Keeping your lymphatic system healthy should be a top priority, and there are plenty of lifestyle choices you can make that will contribute towards this.

Let’s dive in and outline what the lymphatic system is, what role it plays, and why it is so important. We’ll also take a look at the symptoms of a poorly functioning lymphatic system, suggest ways you can keep yours healthy, and outline the various signs of a healthy lymphatic system. Let’s dive in!

What Is The Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is a system of organs, tissues, and vessels. It’s a part of the immune system, and its job is to collect and recirculate the excess fluid that drains from cells and tissues throughout the body. This excess fluid is called lymph – a milky-colored fluid made mainly of white blood cells and fluid from the intestines called chyle. Lymph also contains proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients, damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign pathogens.

Plasma is a yellowish liquid that transports platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells around the body. Plasma travels in your blood, making up about 55% of your total blood volume. Approximately 20 liters of plasma flow through your body each day. Most (about 17 liters) of this plasma is recirculated by way of veins. Roughly three liters of this plasma seeps into cells and tissues and ends up as lymph fluid. This lymph fluid must be recirculated by the lymphatic system.

Image by Pixabay on Pexels: What boosts the lymphatic system?

What Are The Components Of The Lymphatic System?

The main components of the lymphatic system are:

• Lymph fluid
• Lymph nodes: Bean-shaped glands that monitor and cleanse the lymph as it filters through them
• Lymphatic vessels: Capillaries and tubes located throughout the body that transport lymph away from tissues
• Collecting ducts: The right and left lymphatic ducts receive lymph from the lymphatic vessels and connect to the subclavian vein, which returns lymph to your bloodstream
• Spleen: Filters and stores blood and produces white blood cells that fight infection
• Thymus: Produces a specific type of white blood cell that fights off foreign organisms
• Tonsils and adenoids: Lymphoid organs in the throat that trap pathogens from food and air
• Bone marrow: White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are made in the bone marrow
• Peyer’s patches: Small masses of lymphatic tissue that destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines
• Appendix: Contains lymphoid tissue that destroys bacteria before it breaches the intestine wall during absorption

How Important Is The Lymphatic System?

So what is the role of the lymphatic system, and why is it so important? The lymphatic system serves several crucial functions, including:

• Maintaining fluid levels in your body
• Protecting the body against pathogens
• Transporting and removing waste products and abnormal cells
• Absorbing dietary fats from the digestive tract

What Are The Symptoms Of A Poor Lymphatic System?

The following symptoms can indicate poor lymphatic symptom functioning:

• Swollen lymph nodes (often found in the neck or armpit)
• Headache (can be caused by pressure in the head due to a lack of proper lymphatic and sinus drainage)
• Bloating and digestive issues (constipation is a common symptom of congested lymph)
• Limb swelling (can occur in all or part of a limb or in another part of the body)
• General soreness and/or stiffness
• Chronic fatigue that isn’t cured with rest
• Skin problems (dry skin and acne can indicate that lymph fluid is not flowing freely)
• Frequent sinus infections
• Brain fog

Keeping Your Lymphatic System Healthy

What makes a healthy lymphatic system? Here are a few tips for maintaining one…

• Stay well hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps lymph flow easily throughout your body.
• Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals: Toxic chemicals can build up in your body and put unnecessary pressure on your lymphatic system.
• Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in nutrients provides your lymphatic system with the fuel it needs.
• Do regular exercise: Exercise promotes lymph flow through the lymphatic system.
• Get enough high-quality sleep: High-quality sleep is essential for optimal lymphatic system function.

Image by congerdesign on Pixabay: What makes a healthy lymphatic system? Staying hydrated is important.

What Boosts The Lymphatic System?

As well as making the abovementioned healthy lifestyle choices to keep your lymphatic system healthy, you can do even more to boost its function. Many people choose to engage in additional lifestyle habits that may supercharge the health of their lymphatic systems, such as:

• Lymphatic massage
• Sauna bathing (heat exposure increases heart rate and encourages blood flow and lymph circulation)
• Deep breathing exercises (moving the diaphragm muscle through deep breathing can encourage bodily fluids such as lymph, to circulate)
• Alternate hot and cold showers (Cold makes lymphatic vessels contract and heat makes them dilate; this contraction and dilation encourage lymphatic circulation)
• Avoid tight-fitting bras or underwire bras (These can interfere with lymphatic circulation)

How Do I Know If My Lymph Nodes Are Healthy?

Here are nine key signs of a healthy lymphatic system:

1. You have no fluid retention or swelling.
2. You feel energetic.
3. You feel mentally sharp.
4. You are not getting sinus infections often.
5. You have a healthy digestive system.
6. You are not vitamin deficient.
7. Your skin is in good condition.
8. You are supple and have a wide range of motion.
9. You don’t get frequent headaches.

Taking the right high-quality supplements can help you to maintain an optimally functioning lymphatic system. GenBoost will be releasing a new immunity supplement range very soon. Check back here in the coming months for more details!

Featured image by William Priess on Unsplash