The Unsung Hero: The Lymphatic System
The human body is a masterpiece of intricate systems working in harmony to maintain optimal health. While most of us are familiar with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the lymphatic system often operates behind the scenes, quietly playing a crucial role in our well- being. We will explore the wonders of the lymphatic system, its functions, and why it deserves more recognition for its vital contributions to our overall health.
The Basics
The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels, nodes, and organs that work together to transport a colorless fluid called lymph. Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the heart to pump blood, the lymphatic system relies on the contraction of muscles and the pressure changes in the body for the movement of lymph.
What is Lymph?
Lymph is fluid filled with waste! It is murky, thickened water. Think of an ocean (your body) with particles of debris and garbage floating around in it (think of yourself as debris). Now add a bunch of family and friends to your ocean = a lot of particles and garbage; so much that it makes it challenging for you to wade through it. It prevents you from moving through the ocean with ease. This murky fluid uses your lymphatic system as it’s transportation system to move through nodes that filter it and take the bad stuff out of the ocean. If the buildup of
waste is too much for your lymphatic system to filter, it creates stagnation of waste fluid (lymph); essentially, you would be at a standstill in the ocean.
I’m telling you this because it matters! The lymphatic system handles twice as much fluid as the circulatory system. The circulatory system moves about 5 L of blood (containing the good stuff) per day; in contrast, the lymphatic system moves approximately 8 – 12 L of murky waste filled fluid per day.
I wouldn’t want to stand in an ocean filled with garbage so why would I want my body to be full of waste and toxins?
Once your body becomes overwhelmed with volume of waste, disorders and disease begins to show.
In the next blog, we will explore the key components of the lymphatic system and its specific functions.
Stay tuned to
