Lymph System Detox – Why You Need To Consider It.

Detox

Doing a lymph system detox can help you feel better than you have in years. It’s a simple and effective way to protect (and energize) this significant bodily function.

You might not realize how critical your lymphatic system is to your health. It isn’t something that’s discussed with your doctor, quizzed in health class, or covered by most wellness gurus.

However, if your lymph system were to stop working right now, you would die within hours. You can’t survive without it...that’s how important it is to your very life.

The Lymph System – Good Housekeeping for Your Body

Your lymph system is everywhere in your body except your central nervous system. Lymph vessels travel a one-way highway (against gravity). You have more lymph fluid in your body than you do blood. As it pumps through you, it sweeps away toxins, bacteria, excess fluid around your organs, removes damaged cells that could turn cancerous, “rinses” your cells, and transports white blood cells.¹

This complex (and vital system) is what helps when you retain water – the “puffy” feeling that can happen sometimes (particularly in your feet or hands). This is caused by excess fluid that seeps out of your blood vessels. When your lymph system is running properly, it helps to whisk away this fluid so your body can flush it naturally.

Your lymph fluid is pretty fascinating stuff and performs significant functions that are vital to human health. Lymph vessels (similar in structure to blood vessels) are assisted by your spleen (the organ that filters and destroys damaged blood), thymus (the filtration system that “raises” T-cells), tonsils (cluster that traps bacteria), and more than 600 lymph nodes.²

When bacteria are present in your body, the lymph nodes capture them as they pass and confine them within the lymph fluid. Your nodes then signal that more white blood cells are required to kill the infectious invader. While your lymph nodes and white blood cells are fighting toxins inside you, your nodes may feel swollen or achy to the touch.

That means they’re working hard to keep you healthy! No matter what messes your organs make or issues you encounter, your lymph system works tirelessly to clean them up.

In the United States, the medical community doesn’t talk about the crucial lymphatic system unless there’s a problem. However, doctors in Europe and Asia are well aware of the impact this under-appreciated function has on your health.

Considering a lymph system detox just makes sense because the condition of your lymphatic fluid, nodes, and vessels directly affects your immune system, digestion, central nervous system, and how your body handles toxins you’re exposed to constantly. Your ability to absorb necessary fats from your diet hinge on the lymph system.

In a study from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the researchers concluded, “We are now beginning to fully appreciate the role the lymphatic system plays in immune function and many disease processes. Further research is needed to develop therapies to alter lymphatic function in order to treat lymphedema, prevent cancer progression, and resolve inflammatory disorders.”³

Historically, the conventional scientific and medical community insisted that your lymph system was fine and didn’t need any help or attention from you. That is terrible advice and something they’re definitely walking back now.

Having a lymph system that isn’t functioning properly is often misdiagnosed or missed entirely. As a result, this “housekeeping” function going haywire can cause or worsen many diseases and conditions. If your lymph vessels or nodes become blocked or sluggish, it can cause lymph fluid to build up and back up inside you. This can lead to systemic inflammation, infections, bigger blockages, problems in the bowel, swelling, and even cancer.⁴

The human body’s lymph system is like your house sewage system. If it isn’t working properly, all sorts of problems can result. Cancer therapies, surgery, or injury to one of your internal organs can have an immediate impact on this delicate system.

However, the most common reason for lymph system malfunction is when it is overwhelmed with toxins from your food, water, air, or environment and unable to keep up with the exposure. The waste product inside you isn’t being flushed efficiently and begins to back up in the nodes.

When lymph system decline happens, it can be hard for medical professionals to pinpoint because it can manifest as symptoms throughout your body.

Protecting Your Lymph System Daily

There are two natural (and imperative) activities your lymph system requires for it to remain strong and effective at its job. These are breathing and body movement.

That’s right...these are the power behind your lymphatic system. They are two simple methods you can incorporate into your daily life to help protect (and boost) the overall efficiency of your lymphatic system. These are separate from changes to your diet (also helpful) and an actual lymph system detox (outlined below).

Regular low-impact exercise (even stretching drastically helps)
Focused deep-breathing (especially combined with meditation)

No matter your current state of health – adding movement and deep breathing are activities you need each and every day to keep this housekeeping system going strong. They ramp up your lymph vessels and nodes, gathering more toxins and helping you flush them.⁵

Boosting Your Lymph System If You’re Feeling Sluggish

Now, if you’re getting colds more often than you used to, not feeling entirely “with it,” or experiencing occasional stomach upset, consider adding a few lymph-boosting foods to your diet. Diet is an important part of keeping every system in your body strong and efficient.

Some symptoms of a sluggish lymph system...

Stiffness in muscles or joints
Fatigue
Skin irritation
Swelling or water retention (particularly in extremities)
Brain fog
Regular sinusitis, sore throats, colds, or ear issues
Chilled hands and feet
Unexplained weight gain or bloating in the abdomen

To stimulate your lymph system to detox itself naturally, consider adding cranberries, beets, cherries, or marine vegetables (like seaweed) to your eating plan.⁶ Search for recipes and make them your own or add them to a healthy morning shake to give your lymph system a boost that helps your entire body all day long.

A Powerful Lymph System Detox for Bigger Problems

First, a few words of caution.

Try the “milder” methods of lymph system detox (exercise, deep breathing, and diet) before you advance to a full cleanse if you’re just feeling sluggish.
If you’re under a doctor’s care for a chronic condition (especially if you’re taking regular prescribed medications), talk to him/her before doing any sort of cleanse.
Avoid manufactured cleanses because they’re filled with chemicals and other ingredients that force a reaction from your body. Natural, common-sense based methods are generally safer and more effective.

The cleanse below takes three days and you make it yourself from whole, natural ingredients in the comfort of your own home. As a result, it’s a cheaper, more effective, and much safer way to boost your lymph system naturally.

During the cleanse, avoid alcohol, tobacco, excess sugar, too much coffee, and “white” foods such as pasta, rice, or sugar. Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily.

This is not a fast! This is done in addition to regular meals.

3-Day Lymph System Detox Recipe

Ingredients

Organic vegetables (mostly green) that include zucchini, celery, greens, cabbage, peppers, kale, spinach, carrots, beets, onions, and garlic cloves
Two gallons of distilled water
Large stockpot with lid
Large strainer and pot
Glass containers – enough to hold two gallons of broth

Directions

Wash thoroughly but do not peel (with exception to garlic).
In a large pot, combine all vegetables with two gallons of distilled water. Bring to a boil then turn to low heat. Cover the pot and simmer for two hours.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Strain the vegetables from the liquid (these will be reused later so save and refrigerate), leaving only the liquid behind.
Store the vegetable broth in glass jars in your refrigerator.

Day One – Lymphatic Cleanse

Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before lunch.
Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before dinner.

Day Two – Lymphatic Cleanse

Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before breakfast.
Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before lunch.
Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before dinner.

Day Three – Lymphatic Cleanse

Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before breakfast.
Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before lunch.
Drink three glasses (8 ounces each) of broth before dinner.
Include the boiled vegetables you removed from the broth during preparation in your evening meal. These can be prepared in whatever way you wish.
Add enough distilled water to your original broth to ensure you have enough for the day.

Detoxifying and cleansing your body naturally has been done for thousands of years and it is going to change your life – how you feel today and how your body responds for decades to come. A lymph system detox is a simple (but excellent) step in preventative care.

Daily healthy lifestyle choices are required for long-term, consistent results.

Stretch, breathe deeply several times each day, and get the sleep you need. Your lymph system – and the rest of your body – will thank you with many more decades of faithful service.

References:

¹ Live Science: Lymphatic System: Facts, Functions & Diseases
² Medical News Today: What does the lymphatic system do?
³ NCBI - Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School: The Lymphatic System in Disease Processes and Cancer Progression
⁴ Medline Plus: Lymphatic Diseases
⁵ South China Morning Post: Five exercises to strengthen immunity and flush your lymph system during flu season
⁶ MindBodyGreen: This Lymphatic Cleanse Will Detox Your Whole Body

#lymph system detox , #lymphatic cleanse