Lymphatic enzymes
The lymphatic system
Lymph nodes
Lymphatic congestion
Cautions when taking lymphatic enzyme supplements
How to assist the movement of lymph fluid
The lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is the body's cellular-waste removal system; it also plays an essential role in the immune system. It is a circulatory system made up of lymphatic vessels. There is 4-5 times more lymph fluid than blood in the body. These vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph from the body's extremities to two valves called lymphatic ducts, which empty into the subclavian veins under the armpits near the collar bones.
Lymph fluid starts from the interstitial fluid - the solution that surrounds most cells. It collects through lymph capillaries, moves though lymph vessels to lymph nodes before emptying into the subclavian veins where it mixes back with blood.
The lymphatic system is not pumped by the heart. Instead, lymph fluid is moved along the vessels by peristaltic contraction of the smooth muscle which surrounds the lymphatic vessels. Skeletal muscles also move the lymph fluid. As you walk, breathe and move, the muscle contraction and relaxation pumps along the lymph fluid.
Lymph nodes
The lymphatic system also connects lymph nodes, which are widely distributed throughout the body including the armpit and digestive tract. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system, holding B and T cells, and white blood cells called lymphocytes and macrophages. Lymph nodes also act as filters or traps for foreign particles. There are over 600 lymph nodes around your body, including your tonsils. If you are fighting an infection, some of these nodes can feel swollen.
The lymphatic system is an important cleaning system. As well as removing cellular waste and other toxins from the body, it returns undigested protein, fat and carbohydrates and excess interstitial fluid back into blood circulation. Lymph may pick up bacteria and bring them to lymph nodes where they are destroyed by white blood cells. The lymph system also moves cerebrospinal fluid.
Lymphatic congestion
Undigested particles of carbohydrate and protein can get into the interstitial fluid. They tend to form relatively large particles, blocking entry to the lymphatic vessels, and being too big to be used by the cells for food. This lymphatic congestion causes general aging and ill health, with symptoms of numbness, spasticity, or paralysis of varying degrees.
There is evidence that lymphatic congestion is associated with various cancers, particularly breast cancer, and possibly prostate cancer. However, pharmaceutical companies and medical associations have little financial incentive to research in this direction.
To stop the problem occurring in the first place, it is necessary to ensure that the food you eat is properly digested. The production of enzymes for the digestion of food is a heavy tax on your body. Digestive enzymes relieve the workload on the pancreas, and free up other reserve enzymes that are needed elsewhere for good health.
Lymphatic cleaning enzymes were first formulated by Dr Edward Howell (the deceased author of Enzyme Nutrition), with the purpose of digesting away years of accumulation of these large mucoprotein particles or starch-protein conjugates in the intercellular spaces.
You can buy vegetable and fungal-derived enzyme supplements to enhance your digestion, especially for those who have been on a processed or dead-food diet, the elderly or those who have weak digestion.
Lymphatic enzymes and digestive enzymes are two different supplement formulations, and they are used in different ways. You take digestive enzymes with a meal, and they are formulated to help with the digestion of that food. In contrast, lymphatic enzymes are a stronger formulation which contain a much larger amount of protease. You take lymphatic enzymes between meals rather than with food.
Cautions when taking lymphatic enzyme supplements
- Do not take protein digesting enzymes (protease) during pregnancy.
- High doses of proteases will thin the blood.
- If you have gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastritis, or suffer irritation or burning sensations in the stomach, stop taking the enzymes and contact your healthcare practitioner. With any of these symptoms, always eat food with protease enzymes rather than taking them on their own.
How to assist the movement of lymph fluid
- Exercise. The first and most obvious is exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, but also stretching and weight-bearing. Go for a regular brisk walk. Bouncing on a small trampoline for 5-10 minutes stimulates lymph circulation like nothing else. This is yet another reason why it is essential to exercise daily, and to keep moving regularly at other times throughout the day.
- Breathing exercises, deep breathing. Humming.
- Water immersion and various forms of hydrotherapy.
- Massage and other forms of bodywork.
- Brushing. A daily brush of the skin with a soft bristle brush. Brush towards the collar bones - this is the area where the lymph fluid re-enters the blood circulation, as it is the blood that gets filtered by the liver and kidneys.
- Stroking above the lymph glands in the direction of the lymph flow.
- Therapies using manual pressure and/or suction.
- Exercises with inverted postures such as yoga and pilates.
- Lymphatic enzymes - use a lymphatic enzyme supplement.
- Castor oil. A warm castor oil compress or pack is an excellent lymphatic stimulant, pain reliever and inflammation soother.
- Echinacea and cayenne pepper, taken daily.