The Lymphatic System – the Key to Curing Fibromyalgia?
The lymphatic system which is a crucial part of the immune system has several functions. The main functions are to protect the body from toxins, bacteria and viruses, to maintain body fluid levels, to absorb digestive tract fats and to remove cellular waste.
Congestion caused by poor digestion or chronic stress can seriously compromise the lymphatic system functions and in turn make fending off diseases or infections very difficult.
As all Fibromyalgia sufferers are under chronic stress and many who also experience digestive issues, we need to pay particular attention to the health of our lymphatic systems.
The Main Functions of the Lymphatic System
Maintaining fluid levels in the body
Blood contains about 3 litres of plasma, red blood cells, white bloods cells and platelets. Nutrients, vitamins, electrolytes, hormones and proteins are dissolved in the blood, and are carried to the body's cells and organs.
Around 20 litres of plasma flow through the body’s arteries, blood vessels and capillaries each day. After transporting nutrients to the body’s tissues and cells and collecting their waste products, about 17 litres are returned to the circulation via the veins. The residual 3 litres seep through the capillaries and into the body’s tissues. The lymphatic system collects this excess fluid, which is now known as lymph, from cells and tissues in the body and moves it until it eventually returns to the bloodstream which then re-circulates throughout the body.
If the lymphatic system cannot drain fluids from the tissues effectively, the tissues will swell, appear puffy and can be painful. This is known as oedema or edema (water retention). This can progress further and become Lipoedema as the water retention causes fat cells to swell and, eventually to become abnormal. Many women who have Fibromylagia also have Lipoedema.
Another long term condition caused
by a faulty or damaged lymphatic system is that of Lymphoedema which
occurs when lymph vessels are unable to adequately drain lymph fluid,
usually from one arm or one leg. Primary lymphoedema is quite rare but
secondary lymphoedema is more common. Secondary lymphoedema can occur as
a consequence of lymph node removal during cancer surgery, from an
infection, from an injury, from inflammation of the limb, or from a lack
of limb movement.
Absorbing fats from the digestive tract
Another important function of the lymphatic system is that of the absorption and transportation of fats and fat soluble nutrients from the digestive system into the bloodstream.
Unlike other nutrients that are absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the blood capillaries, fat cannot be absorbed directly from the digestive system because fat molecules are just too big.
The lymphatic system has small vessels called lacteals. Lacteals enable the absorption of fats and fat soluble nutrients from the small intestine.
A congested and unhealthy lymphatic system will “result in impaired fat absorption leading to accumulated and deposition of fats onto tissues and fat cells resulting in weight gain.”
Many women with Fibromyalgia are overweight, and it looks as though an unhealthy lymphatic system is a likely cause.
I know from personal experience that as I regained my health and improved my lymphatic system I lost weight.
One of the herbal supplements recommended to help improve the lymphatic system is a plant named Cleavers.
It has been used for centuries in many cultures. It is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Zhu Yang Yang.
CURE FOR FATNESS
The famous 17th century English herbalist,
Nicholas Culpeper recommended
Cleavers as a cure for fatness. He said about Cleavers
“It is familiarly taken in broth to keep
them lean and lank that are apt to grow
fat"
Protecting the body against disease and foriegn invaders
The
other important function of the lymphatic system is to remove toxins,
bacteria, viruses, parasites and waste from our cells. It does this by
producing and releasing lymphocytes (white blood cells) and other immune
cells which help rid the body of microorganisms that cause disease.
So
we can see that the lymphatic system is a crucial part of the immune
system. It is made up of a vast network of vessels, tissues and organs
that work together to move lymph back into the bloodstream.
Lymph Fluid
Lymph is also known as lymphatic fluid and is the colourless watery fluid that flows through lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes which make up the lymphatic system. Lymph returns fluid from the tissues back to the bloodstream. Around 2 litres of lymph leak from the cardiovascular system into body tissues every day. It helps large molecules like hormones and lipids to enter the blood. Lymph contains infection fighting white blood cells that destroy bacteria and cancer cells.
Lymph fluid is transported to filtration points known as lymph nodes or lymph glands by lymphatic vessels.
READ MORE ABOUT LYMPH FLUID IN PEOPLE WITH FIBROMYALGIA
Lymph Nodes (Lymph Glands)
Lymph nodes known also as lymph glands are pea-sized lumps of tissue that contain white blood cells which fight off bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. Lymph nodes filter lymph fluid. Lymph nodes also help activate the immune system when an infection is present.
Lymph nodes are found throughout the body – the head, behind the ear, in the jaw, neck, armpits, back of the knees, groin, in the abdomen and chest.
You can only see or feel lymph nodes if they are swollen or enlarged which invariably indicates an infection of some sort.
There are around 500 - 600 lymph nodes distributed throughout the body with some just below the surface of the skin and some deeper in the body.
The Lymph nodes filter out harmful substances and waste products. They also contain immune cells called lymphocytes that destroy cancer cells and bacteria.
The Lymphatic System Organs and Tissues
The Lymphatic System also comprises of lymphatic organs and tissues.
Thymus
The thymus is found behind the breastbone (sternum), just above the heart. It fully matures until puberty then gradually shrinks in adulthood. Specialist immune system cells called T cells develop in the thymus and when fully matured they migrate to the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
Bone Marrow
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside the centre of the bones and is where red blood cells, platelets, and many lymphocytes (white blood cells) are created.
Spleen
The spleen is found at the left upper part of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and behind the left ribs. The main function of the spleen is to filter blood. It detects germs, viruses and bacteria and activates the release of lymphocytes.
Tonsils
Tonsils are made up of a collection of lymphatic cells found at the back of the throat and palate. The main function of the tonsils is to prevent germs, bacteria and viruses entering the body through the mouth or nose.
The tonsils also produce white blood cells and antibodies.
Appendix
The appendix is found in the lower right area of the abdomen. It is made up of lymphatic tissue that is thought to destroy bacteria before it reaches the intestine wall.
Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue
Gut associated lymphoid tissue, (GALT), is found in the digestive tract and is the largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the body. The function of GALT is to protect the body from the many and varied antigens the gut has to deal with.
Lymphatic Flow – an Upwards Battle
Unlike the circulatory system where the heart pumps blood around the body, the lymphatic system has no central pump to move fluid around. And this is despite the fact that it has to process three times the amount of fluid to that of blood. Instead it depends on the movement of the diaphragm during breathing and the massaging effect of surrounding muscles during physical activity to allow the lymph to flow around the body. And this is why daily frequent exercise is so important in keeping the lymph moving.
Lymph within the lymphatic system only flows one way which is upwards and against gravity towards the neck.
As lymph moves upwards toward the neck it passes through lymph nodes which filter out harmful substances and waste products. The cleansed lymph continues upwards toward the neck where it flows into the subclavian veins on either side of the neck near the collarbones.
So the lymphatic system is literally in a constant upwards struggle to do its job of protecting the body from toxins, bacteria and viruses, maintaining body fluid levels, absorbing digestive tract fats and removing cellular waste.
As the lymphatic system is trying to defy gravity, it can slow down and become congested through stress, lack of quality sleep, lack of exercise, poor diet and a buildup of toxins.
Yes, that’s right:
- Stress causes a congested lymphatic system.
- Poor sleep causes a congested lymphatic system.
- Lack of exercise causes a congested lymphatic system.
- A typical Western diet causes a congested lymphatic system.
And because Fibromyalgia sufferers are under constant stress with their flight/flight/ freeze response being on high alert all the time plus a lack of quality sleep it is unsurprising that they will have clogged up and congested lymphatic systems. Add to this reduced mobility due to pain and fatigue and you have a recipe for disaster.
READ MORE ABOUT AN UNHEALTHY LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IN PEOPLE WITH FIBROMYALGIA
Many Fibromyalgia sufferers also have an impaired digestive system which makes processing foods difficult. In particular a diet consisting of grains – pasta, bread, pastry etc. and dairy – milk, cheese, cream, butter, and sugar – in drinks, cakes and desserts and in many processed foods all add up to dietary stress.
READ MORE ABOUT DIETARY STRESS
This dietary stress adds up and is literally too much for the digestive system to cope with resulting in IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) as bloating, excess gas, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation and nausea, which in turn affects the effectiveness of the lymphatic system.