What is the Lymphatic System?
Our lymphatic system runs the length and breadth of our body. It is a network of vessels which transport a watery fluid, lymph, from our toes to our neck, and from our head to our neck. The lymphatic system cleans and feeds every cell in our body and without its proper function our wellbeing deteriorates.
As part of our immune system the lymphatic system is the transport mechanism for immune cells to get around the body. The lymph nodes filter harmful substances (bacteria, viruses etc) from the lymph as it makes its way up the body to re-enter our circulatory system at the bottom of the neck.
The lymphatic system also absorbs and transports fat and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive tract. The fluid balance within our body is also a job of the lymphatic system as it absorbs the fluid from our blood that bathes our cells.
Lymphatic vessels surround most of the organs of the body so are deep as well as superficial (just under the skin) and support organ function.
All body processes produce waste within the body. The lymphatic system transports this waste away to be recycled, which is why the lymphatic system is sometimes called the drainage system of the body.
Other toxins from the foods we eat, the products we put on our skin, the air we breathe as well as our environment can be transported and filtered out of our body via a free-flowing lymphatic system.
So, supporting the lymphatic system is one of the most effective ways to maintain and improve wellbeing.
