What Is the lymphatic system?
The lympathic system (shortened to "lymph system") is an amazing circulatory system in which lymph, not blood, flows. It consists of vessels, tissues and organs.
What makes up the lymph system?
Lymph is a colorless, watery fluid containing proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, etc).
Lymph nodes: these are bean-shaped glands that monitor and cleanse the lymph fluid as it passes through them. The nodes filter out the damaged and cancerous cells. The lymph nodes also produce and store lymphocytes and other immune system cells that attack and estroy bacteria/viruses. There are around 600 lymph nodes in your body; they can be single or collected in a chain.
Lymph vessels: these vessels, similar to veins and capillaries in the bloodstream, move lymph away from tissues, and have the same sort of valves in veins to keep the fluid moving upward.
Collecting ducts: Lymphatic vessels empty into either the right or left lympathic duct (AKA the thoracic duct). These ducts connect to the subclavian vein, a very large vein, which runs under your collarbone. Lymph added back into your bloodstream maintains it's blood volume and pressure. It also prevents the lymph fluid from building up around tissues, which is called edema.
Organs that the lymph collects fluid from: Spleen, thymus, tonsils and adenoids, bone marrow, peyer's patches in the gut, appendix.
How much lymph fluid is there? Around 20 liters of plasma (amber colored fluid in typical bloodstream) flows through your regular circulatory system via arteries and capillaries, and is then pumped by your heart; after traveling to every capillary about 17 liters goes back to your heart via your veins. The other three liters seep through the capillaries and into your body's tissues. The lymph system collects that fluid and dumps it back into the a large vein by your shoulder.
What does the lymph system do:
Collects the fluid from tissues/organs and brings it back to your basic circulatory system.
Absorbs fats (and proteins) from the digestive tract and puts it back in the bloodstream.
Transports and removes waste products and abnormal cells
Many conditions can occur in the lymph system such as swollen lymph nodes, lymphedema, and lymphoma (a cancer of lymph nodes), and others.
Lymph flow can be promoted with exercise, using a rebounder, lymph massage, dry skin brushing, saunas, contrast hydrotherapy.
Keep your lymph system healthy by avoiding toxic chemical exposure--buying organic food, having a "green" home at home, staying hydrated, exercise regularly. There are certain botanicals like phytolacca, bellis, ceanothus, and Galium. Also, some other botanicals such as astragalus and mushrooms are helpful for lymph support.
Contact Dr. Morstein to learn more: 480-833-0302 and Info@nevyhealth.com