The Lymphatic System: The 7 Most Important Things You Need To Know

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The Lymphatic System is one of the most important, yet one of the most overlooked systems of the human body. Most people are familiar with the "Lymph Nodes" or "Lymph Glands" in the area of the armpits or the groin but beyond that it is a complete mystery about what it is, how it works, or why it is so important.

The first little known fact is:

1. There is twice as much Lymph Fluid in our bodies than there is Blood. We commonly think of the Cardiovascular System as our only Circulatory System, however, that is not true. The Lymph System is twice the size of our Blood System; there are twice as many vessels to transport the Lymph as there are in the network of veins, arteries, and capillaries.
2. A very high percentage of the debilitating illnesses that are frequently termed as "Lifestyle Diseases" or Degenerative Diseases" could be minimized, reduced, or eliminated if the Lymph System were kept clean, un-clogged and flowing freely.
3. The human body is largely made up of Water. Some of that water is of course found in the Blood but a far greater amount makes up the Lymph Fluid. The cells of our bodies "float" in a "sea" of Lymph called the Interstitial Fluid. It is in this fluid and in this process that the nutrients and fuel are carried to our cells and the wastes and toxic materials are carried off.
4. Unlike the Cardiovascular System, the Lymph System has no pump; it does not have the Heart Muscle to circulate it through out the body. The transportation of the Lymph Fluid is totally dependent on the movement of the muscles and the action of breathing.
5. Keeping the Lymphatic System clean and clear is as important to the way our bodies function as the bloodstream. Maintenance requires a sensible diet, stress reduction, consistent movement or exercise, and the conscious practice of deep breathing.
6. Consuming ample amounts of fresh, organically-grown foods is optimum. Dark-skinned fruits and dark green vegetables are usually the best indicator of high-antioxidant, alkaline foods that work to fight excess oxidation and help balance the pH chemistry. Lean meats in moderate amounts are good sources of protein, as well as consciously grown beans and legumes. Supplementing with dairy products is acceptable within moderation. With the over abundance of cheap Wheat finding its way into many foods, avoiding grains is a good practice due to gluten intolerance.
7. Exercise and Breathing can work hand in hand. More important than "which" exercise you do, the most important consideration is consistency. Walking moderate to long distances is the perfect exercise; it causes greater flow of the Lymph Fluid due to the muscles working for an extended period of time but more importantly it engages the act of Deep Breathing. Deep Breathing is as important as the act of exercising. It helps massage the Thoracic Duct in the neck, causing the fluid to flow generously, emptying into the veins and becoming part of the blood plasma, then returning to the Liver for metabolizing and then to the Kidneys for filtering. The more time spent on exercise and breathing, the larger number of cycles the Lymph System performs, greatly enhancing the clean, smooth flow of fuels and wastes.

The more diligent we are at keeping our Lymphatic System clean, the greater our ability for physical and mental performance, the less toxic acid waste build up, and therefore the decreased incidence of degenerative disease.