Our Detox Organs: Part VI - Lymph Glands
We made it!
The final installment of my 6 Part Series all about those wonderful detox organs of ours that support our body’s natural detoxification process.
Just a reminder – this is our body’s natural detoxification process – it does this all my itself, but sometimes needs a little support and love along the way.
Missed Part I, II, III, IV and V – never fear – they’re right here, here, here, here and here!
These six detoxification organs work non-stop to eliminate excess waste products/toxins from our body, and in this little series, I’m talking about my personal top 4 foods, that in conjunction with an overall healthy diet, have shown they have the wonderful ability to further support this amazing process.
So today we’re talking - lymph glands!
Our lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and lymph nodes which are situated throughout our body, with many of our lymph nodes located in our head and neck region, as well as our armpits and groin area.
The lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste, toxins, infections, bacteria, virus, and other pathogens from our circulation, which in turn helps with our weight, immune system, cleansing of the blood and our bodies detoxification process. So as you can imagine, getting our lymphatic system healthy can help our body better remove aches, pains, fatty deposits AND cellulite.
To start giving your lymphatic system a little love, try to avoid toxins, chemicals and any hard to digest foods, including processed foods covered in pesticides, preservatives and artificial ingredients.
How do you know if you're suffering from lymphatic congestion?
Almost every part of the body can be affected by poor waste removal in the lymphatic system, and when congested you may notice:
Stiffness, especially in the morning
Fatigue
Itchy and dry skin
Bloating and water retention
Breast swelling with each cycle
Swollen glands
Stubborn weight gain
Chronic sinusitis, sore throats, colds, or ear issues
Cellulite
Cold hands and feet
4 practices that help support our lymph glands
Tapping | You can help promote lymph movement simply by tapping on your thymus gland 10 times.
Dry Skin Brushing | Helps promote gentle detox by using a natural bristle brush or sea sponge and brush your skin in a circular motion from your feet up to your heart.
Movement | Exercise and sweating promote lymph detox, helping move lymph fluid more efficiently while resupplying oxygen and boosting circulation. Gentle massages are also a great way to help move this stagnant fluid, break up toxins, and boost your mood at the same time. The lymphatic system doesn’t have a central organ to keep everything flowing, so it relies on us moving our body and breathing to move the lymph fluid along.
Water | Lymph fluid is about 95 percent water and becomes thicker and less fluid when we’re dehydrated, and in fact, one of the most common causes of lymph congestion is dehydration. Drink plenty of clean, purified water to stay hydrated.
4 foods that can further help support our lymph glands
Red Foods | Like cranberries, pomegranates, cherries and beets all help break down excess fat in our body for the lymphatic vessels to carry away.
Leafy Greens | Chlorophyll has powerful cleansing properties with beneficial effects on our blood and lymph fluid. Look for dark greens like kale, spinach and broccoli.
Nuts and Seeds | Essential fatty acids (the healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, coconut, and avocado) play a huge role in fighting inflammation. They can help strengthen our vascular tissue, help in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and minerals and aid in the removal of fat soluble wastes.
Citrus | Citrus fruits aid hydration, carry powerful antioxidants and enzymes around the body and help cleanse and protect the lymphatic system.