Disease and the lymphatic framework have a really intriguing relationship. The lymphatic system runs parallel to the circulatory framework. Not at all like blood, there is no pump to circle lymph; it moves through the body by means of muscle development.
Lymph is a reasonable, greasy liquid created by blood marrow, organs, and organs that moves all through the body, conveying supplements and evacuating waste that are too huge to travel through veins. The framework is included lymph hubs, vessels, and lymphoid tissues. The gut is the body’s lymph storage facility, containing 80% of our safe cells in lymphatic tissue (1).
Cancer And The Lymphatic System
Lymph moves through the body and is filtered in the nodes. Lymphocytes in the nodes kill abnormal cells (cancer), viruses, and harmful bacteria. The liquid then transports the waste to the liver and kidneys for detoxification and subsequent removal through the excretory system.
Any intruders that the lymphatic system doesn’t recognize (e.g., toxic chemicals and pollutants) go along for the ride and are carried throughout the body, including in the blood and organs. This is why cancer tests include a lymph biopsy: if cancerous cells are prevalent in lymph, it’s a sign that they exist in the organs as well. What the immune system (of which lymph is a huge part) can’t kill is transported and makes its way through the lymphatic system—this is how cancer can spread.
Symptoms of a sluggish lymphatic system include:
Bloating
Brain fog
Breast swelling or soreness during menstruation
Cellulite
Cold hands and feet (poor circulation)
Constipation
Dry or itchy skin
Fatigue
Leg discoloration
Morning stiffness or soreness
Swollen fingers
Keeping Your System Flowing
We can see then how important it is to keep lymph flowing freely, to prevent toxins and cancerous cells from settling in any one place to take hold and proliferate. Here’s what you can do to reset your system.
1. Exercise
Regular exercise helps keep everything in the body working properly: We simply aren’t meant to be sedentary. Muscle movement, strength and tone are important to move lymph. Studies show that exercise increases lymph flow 2-3 times that of when at rest.
Gravity is a useful force with any liquid and bouts of zero gravity help to drain lymph. Not all of us live near an amusement park to ride a roller coaster so gentle jumping on a trampoline—called “rebounding”—is one of the best ways to improve lymph flow. It’s low impact and you can do it at home. Two minutes at a time 3-10 times a day does wonders for circulation.
2. Inversion
Placing your body or parts thereof in an upside-down or inverted position allows gravity to pull in the direction opposite of the normal upright, thereby pulling lymph through nodes and toward the heart. An inversion tableis ideal for this. Some yoga positions are extremely beneficial for this purpose as well.