What is lymph?

Lymph. It sounds like something beautiful, doesn’t it? And it is. As beautiful and precious as water, because 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. She was believed to lead fresh water to the crops, maintaining their productivity. Quite far from what we know today about the water cycle, no doubt. Still, we could perfectly compare the function of this goddess with what lymph does in our body. Because just as this deity supposedly did with the fields, lymph hydrates, nourishes, and cleanses our body, but… what is lymph?

“To understand what lymph 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 lymph.”

Surely lymph is a word you have read countless times in articles about pressotherapy and lymphatic drainage. But of course, if you are not involved in Medicine, Biology, or are a dietitian or professional fitness trainer, your knowledge on the subject is probably quite superficial. And if someone asks you what lymph 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 lymph, explained in an engaging way. Because knowledge flows better that way, just like lymph flows in a healthy body that works perfectly.

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

What lymph is made of

Lymph is made up of water, proteins, fats, lymphocytes—white blood cells—and also contains various types of germs or waste substances dissolved in it. Its function in the Lymphatic System is therefore crucial. Not for nothing, we have three times more lymph than blood. But to truly understand what lymph is and how it works, we must also first explain what the Lymphatic System is and how it functions, of which lymph 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 lymph.

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 severely 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 lymph. And unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not form a closed circuit. Let’s say it is the body’s second major fluid transport network. The functions of the Lymphatic System are:

• Drainage of interstitial fluid (tissue between cells). It returns excess fluid accumulated in these tissues back 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 lymph 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 lymph or lymphatic fluid occurs thanks to a network of small valves and because the larger vessels have a muscular layer that, through contractions, propels lymph 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. Lymph mainly relies on breathing and muscle action to avoid stagnation and to eliminate any waste or toxin.

The circulation of lymph

Lymph begins its remarkable journey in small lymphatic capillaries. They are made up of special cells that allow lymph 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. Lymph finally drains 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 we 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 about 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 higher concentrations in the armpits, groin, neck, abdomen, and near the largest blood vessels.

As you might already guess, all of this is extremely important for the proper functioning of your Immune System. Lymphocytes are so necessary that your body produces about 1 billion 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 lymphatic vessels become blocked, what we know 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. Lymph, in addition to lipids—mainly lactates—and a minimal amount of proteins, can also transport cancer cells that will cause metastasis, that is, the proliferation and invasion of these cells in one or several organs, or even throughout an entire system.

How to maintain a healthy lymphatic system

Now that you better understand what lymph is and how it acts in your body, you are probably thinking about how to keep your Lymphatic System in optimal condition. Doing your part is essential to help a machine—our body—that, 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, pressotherapy can be your best ally. If you want to dive 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 enjoy the benefits of pressotherapy in every way.