Lymphatic and Immune System

The immune system has a large array of tools at its disposal in the fight against infection and disease. The skin is the first mechanical defence against foreign substances such as bacteria, radiation and harmful chemicals. The tear glands in your eyes contain antibacterial enzymes, and the saliva which is produced in your mouth contains antibacterial agents as well; both serving to catch and destroy foriegn particles. To protect against airborn assaults, nostril hair, mucus and cilia in the lining of the nose and airways catch and dispose of dust, microrganisms and debris. Further into the body, in the digestive system, very strong acids, enzymes and juices are produced in the stomach and intestines that attack any foreign invaders that have managed to slip past the body's outer defences.

However, this only accounts for the systems protecting and fighting against infection/disease from the outside. What about the ones fighting against infection, cancer cells and allergies that have already invaded the body?

This is where the lymphatic system is integral. Once the white blood cells (formed in bone marrow) have fought and destroyed the invading microbes (whether it be infection, an allegic reaction etc.), it's the lymphatic glands and ducts that transport the toxic waste and by products out of the body (kind of like a sewerage system in a house). Lymphatic glands are concentrated behind the ears, in the arm pits, down along the spine and in the groin area. The amazing thing is that, unlike the blood being pumped by the heart, the lymphatic fluid relies on muscle contraction and gravity to propell it through the body. Obviously this creates some problems: especailly in sedentary individuals!

This fluid carrying toxic waste out of the body can and will stay stagnant in the body unless, either by the muscles around it or gravity carrying it, it finds its way to the subclavian veins and from there is transported to the urinary system, and subsequently is ejected from the body in the form of urine or feces. This is one of the reasons why sedentary people are more likely to get sick-they do not move enough so their muscles dont compress on the lymph nodes-therefore this toxic fluid stays around and is not passed from the body!

I have heard of a study where they found that orchastra conductors as a profession had the lowest percentage of breast cancer cases compared to any other job! They explained that because a conductor is always waving their arms above their head, muscle contraction and gravity combined effectively flushed the arms and chest of any toxicity-hence the lower case of cancer.

Something to think about when you're next reaching for the corn chips whilst watching TV on the couch...