Signs of a Clogged Lymphatic System – 10 Ways to Cleanse It
A major part of being healthy is to ensure that any toxins that enter our system are effectively identified by the body and escorted out in a harmless fashion.
There are many systems, organs, and glands in place to make sure this occurs, but unfortunately, many of them have become clogged and compromised to the point of complete dysfunction. One of those important systems that aid in the removal of toxins and has become clogged in many ways is the lymphatic system.
Purpose of the lymphatic system and signs it is clogged
The lymphatic system is a complex drainage or “sewer” system that consists of glands, lymph nodes, the spleen, thymus gland, and tonsils. Its role is to cleanse our cells by absorbing excess fluids, fats, and toxins from our tissues and into the blood where it can eventually be filtered out by the liver and kidneys.
Unfortunately, due to our toxic burden, nutritional deficiencies, and relative inactivity, this system has become increasingly polluted.
If you suffer from any of the following, it may be a sign your lymphatic system is clogged and needs a serious cleanse:
– Skin conditions;
– Arthritis;
– Unexplained injuries;
– Excess weight or cellulite;
– Headaches;
– Chronic fatigue;
– Sinus infections;
– Digestive disorders;
– Enlarged lymph nodes.
If you identify with any of these conditions, you will want to strongly consider incorporating the following 10 factors to help detoxify your lymphatic system.
Exercise
If you have a toxic lymphatic system, the best approach is to start slow on the exercise, and be consistent. Think of the tortoise rather than the hare in the beginning and as you get more energy you can incorporate more vigorous and intense exercise.
One of the easiest, safest, and most profound exercise you can incorporate is rebounding. This is the simple act of lightly bouncing up and down on a mini trampoline, which is the perfect movement for stimulating lymph flow, and toning other detoxification organs as well.
Alternative treatments
If exercising isn’t in your wheelhouse yet, or you want to add on some additional body work, you can also consider alternative treatments that can get the lymph flowing.
A lymphatic drainage massage is one easy way to detoxify your lymph system as a skilled practitioner will stimulate circulation and drain fat, fluids, toxins, and other waste products away from your cells for proper elimination.
Acupuncture, an ancient and effective TCM treatment, also helps open up pathways (meridians) in your body to help stimulate lymph flow and help remove toxins from the body.
An infrared sauna is also an excellent and easy option, as the sweat excreted through your skin can help release the toxic burden on your lymphatic system and allow it to work more effectively.
Hot and cold showers
Although it may seem a little tough, a hot and cold shower has merit when it comes to benefiting the lymphatic system. The hot water helps dilate the blood vessels, and the cold contracts them, creating a “pump” action that helps force fluid that may be stagnant in the system.
Since your lymph system has no central pump of its own, this therapy and others which stimulate this type of action are great solutions to get it flowing properly again.
Caution is required when using this therapy if you have a heart condition or are pregnant.
Use dry brushing
Using a natural bristle brush, brush your dry skin in a circular motion before showering. Start with your feet and move towards the torso, and do the same from your fingers to the chest. You want to flow in the same direction as your lymph circulates, towards the heart.
This stimulates the lymphatic system into action as well, and helps open up the pores for easier toxin removal (a hot and cold shower after this dry brushing session would be ideal).
Drink adequate amounts of clean water
You’ve heard it before – drink your water! However, if you don’t properly source your water, you’re actively adding to your toxic burden by ingesting easily absorbed toxins often present in water such as fluoride, chlorine, VOCs, and more.
So, ensure you are investing in a filtration system proven to work well, or look to get spring water from an approved source free of these types of contaminants.
There are also devices that make your water alkaline (water ionizer) or enrich it with ozone (ozone generator). All three are great investments, if you can afford them.
Then you can safely consume up to half your body weight in ounces of water a day (160 lbs (72 kg) = 80 ounces (2.3 liters) of water).
Avoid restrictive clothing
It’s important to not wear tight clothing that can cut off proper circulation within the lymphatic system. This can cause blockages to occur and toxins to build up in different areas of the body.
Areas of particular importance where this may occur is bras for women that may be too tight in the axillary lymph node area (armpit area), and in the inguinal lymph node area (groin) where tight fitting underwear could cause a problem over time.
It’s fine to wear something tight from time to time, but avoid being excessive and keep the bra off as much as possible.
Breathe deeply
Another method of “pumping” lymph properly comes from deep breathing. Since our bodies have three time more lymph fluid than blood, this exercise becomes increasingly important in order to get the toxins into the blood so they can be detoxified by your liver and kidneys.
So breathe deeply, and exhale smoothly to facilitate this process.
Eat foods that promote lymph flow
Eating a clean, nutrient rich, and mostly raw food diet rooted in produce is the first step to promoting healthy lymph flow.
Some particularly cleansing foods for the lymphatic system include:
– Dark leafy greens;
– Low sugar fruits;
– Garlic;
– Ground flax seed;
– Seaweed;
– Algae;
– Chia;
– Avocados;
– Cranberries;
– Walnuts;
– Brazil nuts;
– Almonds.
These types of foods will help provide the necessary vitamins, minerals, EFAs, and enzymes to cleanse your lymphatic system more efficiently.
Avoid foods, personal care products, and environments that cause lymph stagnation
Half the battle of cleansing your system is providing it with enough power to do so, and that can’t be accomplished if you keep polluting your body with a variety of toxins.
This means avoiding conventional personal care products loaded with parabens, petroleum, and phthalates, and staying out of heavily polluted areas by opting for more oxygen rich environments.
In addition to that, avoiding the following foods are critical to improving your lymphatic health:
– Sugar;
– Artificial sweeteners;
– Conventional dairy;
– Meat;
– Refined grains;
– Processed foods;
– Genetically modified soy;
– Preservatives and additives (MSG, colors, etc.);
– Table salt;
– Baked goods.
At any rate, there are ingredients you should rarely, if ever, consume. Some of these ingredient frauds will be all too familiar but bear repeating as their persistent presence in food still illustrates that we have not stopped consuming these types of products.
Choosing to not consume them is your vote for healthier alternatives:
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) – Found in nearly all processed food ingredients, it is mostly consumed through fruit juices, sodas, and sweet snacks. It has been referred to as poison that causes obesity and liver damage. It is completely unnatural, goes through a terrible process that leaves it riddled with heavy metals, and spikes sugar levels out of control.
2. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) – Commonly disguised and used as a “flavor enhancer” in a wide variety of foods, it is commonly referred to or hidden in autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed protein, smoke flavor, spices, and a number of other ingredients. It is a neuro-toxin and should be avoided at all costs.
3. Aspartame (Artificial Sweeteners) – Made famous in diet sodas, this chemical sweetener is so deadly it should be considered poison. When broken down it has been said to turn into other “ingredients” such as formaldehyde and wood alcohol. Any sweetener that claims it is calorie free, aside from stevia, should never touch the human tongue. Commonly found in fat free product ingredients. Other artificial sweeteners include sucralose, Splenda, Sweet N’ Low, and AminoSweet.
4. Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats) – Found in a variety of snack foods and prepared foods, this ingredient comes to pass through extensive processing until it becomes one molecule removed from plastic (think margarine). It is extremely damaging to your cardiovascular system and needs to be cut out completely. Often found in cracker and cookie ingredients.
5. Soy Protein Isolate – Found in everything from protein bars to protein shakes, this highly indigestible, hormone disrupting, and GM (genetically modified) food is a nightmare and soy should only ever be considered in an organic, non-GMO, and fermented state.
6. Sodium Nitrite – Most often found in deli meats and hot dogs, this preservative and coloring agent is carcinogenic and a deadly toxin. It is primarily in meat products.
7. White processed sugar – The one ingredient that plagues society. It is the best form of food for cancer, and wreaks havoc with blood sugar levels and candida sufferers, which leads to a wide variety of ailments.
8. Enriched flour – Ironically, enriched flour really means it has been stripped of all nutrients and a couple have been added back in to “enrich” it. It has a similar effect to white processed sugar in the body, with the added complication of gluten. A mainstay in the ingredients of breads and cereals.
9. GM (Genetically Modified) Foods – GMOs are not listed in food ingredients (due to recent successful lobbying by those companies who use them and did not want them labelled for consumers), but if you see corn, soy, or canola that are not listed as organic and non-GMO in the ingredients or on the package, they are GMO. This results in more adverse health effects, many of which are not yet fully known.
10. Maltodextrin – Rates highest on the glycemic scale out of all the sugars at 150 (HFCS is 87 in comparison). It’s often used as a “filler” ingredient in many products, and can be found in nearly everything from soups to seasoning ingredients.
There are many other ingredients that could have made this top 10, but these are some of the most common. Read your labels, avoid these at all costs, and stop the aging and disease process.
Take medicinal plants that stimulate lymph flow
Medicinal plants are great natural stimulators, and when used appropriately can be very useful for kickstarting various areas of the body. Your lymphatic system is no different.
Some great medicinal plants to consider for teas, juices, and more include:
– Echinacea;
– Astragalus;
– Goldenseal;
– Wild indigo root;
– Red clover;
– Pokeroot;
– Parsley;
– Cilantro.
As with most chronic conditions, a multi-faceted approach is often the only way to do a proper clean up of any system, and that goes for the lymphatic system as well.
So be sure to layer in all of these factors for a much more comprehensive cleanse, and enjoy the improved health that comes with rejuvenating a clogged lymphatic system.
yogaesoteric
September 28, 2018