What is lymph?

Sap. It sounds like something beautiful, doesn’t it? And it is. As beautiful and precious as water, for that is exactly what it means in Latin (lymph), from which the term originally comes. Limpha was a pagan deity of Ancient Rome related to Agriculture. It was believed that she guided fresh water to the crops, maintaining their productivity. Quite far from what we now know about the water cycle, no doubt. Still, we could perfectly compare the function of this goddess with that performed by the sap in our body. Because just as this deity supposedly did with the fields, so the sap hydrates, nourishes, and purifies our body, but… what is sap?

“To understand what sap is and how it works, we must first know what the Lymphatic System is and how it functions. Just as we cannot imagine the Amazon Rainforest without the vital artery that is its river, we cannot imagine our body without sap.”

Surely sap is a word you have read countless times in articles about presotherapy and lymphatic drainage. But of course, if you are not involved in Medicine, Biology, or are a dietitian or professional physical trainer, your knowledge on the subject is likely rather superficial. And if asked what sap is, at most you might say it sounds like something related to the Lymphatic System.

Don’t worry; we reveal everything you need to know about sap, explained in an engaging way. Because knowledge flows better that way, just as sap flows in a healthy body that works perfectly.

In brief, sap is a fluid that travels through the lymphatic vessels. A kind of lubricant and carrier as well as purifier. The sap coming from the upper or lower limbs is almost clear, but that formed in the intestine, due to a higher concentration of fats, is whitish, similar to watered-down milk.

What sap is made of

Sap is made up of water, proteins, and fats, lymphocytes - white blood cells - and also various types of germs or waste substances dissolved in it. Its function in the Lymphatic System is therefore crucial. Not for nothing do we have three times more sap than blood. But to truly understand what sap is and how it works, we must also first explain what the Lymphatic System is and how it functions, of which sap is an essential element. Understanding this, you immediately realize how indispensable it is in our body. Just as we cannot imagine the Amazon Rainforest without the vital artery that is its river, we cannot imagine our body without sap.

How the lymphatic system works

The Lymphatic System is a superstructure closely linked to the Immune System. So much so that if it fails, our defenses can be seriously weakened. When we look at a diagram of the lymphatic branches, it reminds us of the Circulatory System, but in this case, it is not blood that is transported through its vessels, but sap. And unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not form a closed circuit. Let’s say it is the second great fluid transport network of the body. The functions of the Lymphatic System are:

• drainage of interstitial fluid (tissue between cells). It returns excess fluid accumulated in these tissues to the blood.
• Absorb and transport fatty acids/fats from the Digestive System.
• Transport white blood cells from the lymph nodes to the bones.
• Immune Response. Transporting antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to the lymph nodes, where lymphocytes fight and eliminate any harmful substance or microorganism. These cells produce antibodies.

An adult human normally produces between 2 and 3 liters of sap per day. Most of it ends up poured into the venous system through the thoracic duct. There, in the chest, is one of the main points of the Lymphatic System. The circulation of sap or lymphatic fluid occurs thanks to a network of small valves and because the thicker vessels have a muscular layer that, through contractions, propels the sap toward the venous system. A biological marvel. However, its circulation is very slow because it does not have a pumping system like the heart in the Circulatory System. Sap must mainly rely on breathing and muscle action to avoid stagnation and to eliminate any waste or toxin.

The circulation of sap

Sap begins its wondrous journey in small lymphatic capillaries. They are made up of special cells that allow sap coming from the interstitial tissues to filter through these vessels. Have you ever noticed how many structures in Nature resemble our body? Like the branches of a tree, these small vessels flow into larger ones. Sap finally pours into two main channels: the Right Lymphatic Duct, which drains the upper half of the body, and the Thoracic Duct, responsible for draining the rest. Without going further into physiology, these two ducts connect to the venous system. As mentioned earlier, lymph nodes are distributed at various points throughout this network.

They are shaped like small kidneys - again, what a curious parallel! - measuring from a few millimeters to a centimeter, and there are no less than between 500 and 1000! They can cluster in small groups, and all are armed with powerful lymphocytes and other cells whose sole function is to capture and eliminate toxins and harmful microorganisms. Their position is entirely strategic. They are found in greater concentration in the armpits, groin, neck, abdomen, and near the largest blood vessels.

As you might already guess, all this is vital for the proper functioning of your Immune System. Lymphocytes are so necessary that your body produces about 1,000 million of them daily. These small and brave soldiers are irreplaceable. A whole immune army, ready to fight and discard the most feared enemies of your precious body.

When the lymphatic vessels become blocked, what is known as lymphedema occurs. In other words, swollen legs, especially in the lower part, causing pain, tightness, and in very severe cases, even difficulty moving. And this may be just the tip of the iceberg. A deficient Lymphatic System can trigger multiple diseases, some fatal if not treated promptly. Sap, besides lipids - mainly lactates - and a minimal amount of proteins, can also transport cancer cells that will cause metastasis, that is, the spread and invasion of these cells in one or several organs, or even throughout an entire system.

How to keep a healthy lymphatic system

Now that you better understand what sap is and how it acts in your body, you are surely thinking about how to keep your Lymphatic System in optimal condition. Doing our part is essential to help a machine, our body, which although highly evolved, is not free from setbacks.

A balanced and as natural as possible diet, physical exercise, and of course a proper daily intake of water, are key factors. And if what you really want is to boost lymphatic drainage, giving it a little push, presotherapy can be your best ally. If you want to delve deeper into the topic, we invite you to read about fluid retention and the effects and benefits of lymphatic drainage.
Now you can go ahead and use your Sizen 6+ and benefit from presotherapy in every way.