The lymphatic system or lymph system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels which are similar to the circulatory system’s capillaries and veins. These vessels are connected to lymph nodes where the lymph is filtered. Other parts of the lymphatic system include thymus, spleen, tonsils, and adenoids. Its primary function is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.
A network of tissues and organs, the lymphatic system bathes our body’s cells and carries out waste, toxins, and other unwanted materials away from tissues to the blood, where it can be filtered by the body’s main detoxification organs – the kidneys and liver. These toxins and wastes are made up of the byproducts of our bodily processes, cigarette toxins, food additives, illicit drugs, other airborne pollutants, pesticides, and over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., the author of The Fat Flush Plan, estimates that around 80 percent of women have a sluggish lymphatic system. The main key for you to easily lose weight and improve feelings of well-being is by getting your lymph system to smoothly flow. And how can you do it? Simply follow these:
Breathe Deeply
Your body has triple times more lymph fluid than blood; however, there is no organ to pump it. This scenario makes your lymph system rely on the pumping action of deep breathing to help in the transport of toxins into the blood before they are detoxified by your liver.
Get A Gentle Massage
According to many studies, a gentle massage can push up to 78% of stagnant lymph back into circulation as it has the effect of freeing trapped toxins. Also, try a lymph drainage massage. It particularly targets lymph flow in the body. But make sure that the massage is gentle. Putting too much pressure feels good on the muscles, but on the other hand, it doesn’t have the same effects on the lymph.
Get Moving
For lymph system to flow properly, an exercise is necessary. The best way to keep you moving while you are enjoying is by rebounding on a mini trampoline. Also, stretching and aerobic exercises all work well.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Lymph fluid cannot flow properly without adequate water. You may opt to add some fresh lemon juice to ensure the water is readily absorbed by your cells.
Forget The Soda, Trash The Neon-Colored Sports Drinks, And Drop The Fruit “Juices”
A lot of over-the-counter beverages contain preservatives and have more sugar than fruits. These two add up to the already overburdened workload of your lymph system.
Eat Plenty Of Green Vegetables
Green vegetables can provide you with the adequate chlorophyll to help purify your lymph and blood.
Eat Raw, Unsalted Nuts And Seeds
Choose from hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, macadamias, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds. These seeds and nuts can power up your lymph with adequate fatty acids.
Eat More Raw Fruit On An Empty Stomach
Fruits contain acids and enzymes that are very powerful in cleansing the lymph. For best digestion and maximum lymph-cleansing benefit, it is recommended to eat them on an empty stomach. Most fruits are digested within 30 minutes and quickly help you feel better.
Dry Skin Brush
Before showering, brush your dry skin in circular motions upward from the feet to the torso and from the fingers to the chest. You want to work in the same direction as your lymph flows—toward the heart. Use only a natural bristle brush.
Alternate Hot And Cold Showers
For several minutes, have alternate hot and cold showers. The heat opens the blood vessels and the cold causes them to contract. But you must avoid this type of therapy if you have a blood or heart pressure condition or if you are pregnant.
Add A Few Lymph-Boosting Herbal Teas
Regularly drink a cup of goldenseal, pokeroot, astragalus, echinacea, or wild indigo root tea. But if you are you’re taking any medications or suffer from any serious health conditions it’s better to consult first you’re your herbalist or natural medicine specialist before combining two or more herbs. Furthermore, pregnant or lactating women should avoid using herbs.
With your lymphatic system efficiently moving, you can achieve numerous benefits such as feeling less pain, improved detoxification, and more energy.
