Is the 'Lymphatic System' the missing link?

So, I went to a naturopath recently and asked her about fenugreek seeds as well as why my mom (diabetes), my dad (NAFLD), and my aunty (ovarian cancer) all showed improvements; and she said perhaps it could be due to its effects on the lymphatic system.

I thought about this as I drove back home and realized to look into it, as that is truly what all of us have in common (apart from my parents and I sharing inflammation and insulin resistance). Then she mentioned that there are only two physical ways to get your lymphatic system moving: walking and swimming.

Once again, we have Islam solving problems we didn’t know we had. Swimming, archery, and horse-riding are all recommended physical activities for Muslims.

What is the lymphatic system?

A quick Google search will tell you that it is the body’s ‘sewerage’ system, and like any sewage system, it doesn’t have a ‘pump like the heart and needs to be stimulated and moved ‘manually’ to see positive effects otherwise, as we know, still (and dirty) water is a host for diseases and parasites.

Maybe that’s why doctors recommend walking so much, and also why sweating is good for you.

Because toxins are literally leaving your body and that is why we have lymph nodes in the first place. Viruses and cancer cells are ‘trapped’ in the lymph nodes to be killed. But this needs to be filtered out through steady-state walking or swimming or consuming fenugreek seeds/leaves.

You can do this in a variety of ways; getting a lymphatic drainage massage; dry brushing; drinking fenugreek tea; deep breathing; moving regularly.

Lymphatic system and exactly how it works

Metabolic Syndrome and the Lymphatic System

So, if you’ve been reading for a while, you know that inflammation and stress are common denominators in most diseases of today. I would argue, all, and I wouldn’t be wrong. Dementia/Alzheimers has been described as Type 3 Diabetes. And what does Diabetes mean? Inflammation. Insulin Resistance. Metabolic Syndrome.

That’s right, it’s the same thing with different fonts. Different people have different histories and lifestyles and genes, which is why, although the cause is inflammation and stress, the symptoms will present very differently. This is why the cause must be addressed, because very likely, it’s not the question of: do you have toxins? It is “How many do you have?”

As we know inflammation exists in all diseases: cancers, PCOS, Diabetes, NAFLD, hypothyroidism, etc., etc…

The lymphatic system plays an important role in the transport of lipids from the intestine to circulation as well as plays a vital role in eliciting an immune response. When this system is compromised or subpar, lipid metabolism and transport are affected. In short, it modulates lipid transport and inflammation in the body – which are the causes, essentially, of MS. Not just MS though, Crohn’s disease and Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD) have been linked to poor lymphatic drainage.

Lymphatic contractile dysfunction is central to a wide range of pathologies that plague us today and that is because of the lymphatic system’s key role in the process of inflammation and immune responses. How we lose fat/weight is through our sweat, breathing, and urine, so it’s no surprise that cleansing the lymph system will lead to fat loss too – as it helps with water retention. Lymphatic drainage helps maintain its ability to ‘clean’ the system of cholesterol.

When the lymph system is not operating well, it can lead to lymphedema – which is a chronic swelling of the limbs – meaning impaired immune responses and more infections. This is why some people are more prone to infections and/or sinus. This static fluid has been shown to further inflammation, and lead to more bacterial, and fungal growth as well as more infections. Also, there is two times more lymph fluid than blood in the body, so you can see how maintaining it and keeping it clear of toxins is important.

Obesity and lymphedema

Have you noticed why many obese people look like sausages? No disrespect, it is simply me trying to make a point here.

That is because obesity leads to some level of lymphedema. This lymphedema is related to the pressure that the lymph system goes through carrying all the fat that it does and this leads to blockages in the system – leading to the ‘swell-like’ look of many obese patients.

It seems that many people develop these issues after obesity. It seems like doctors were right, after all, however, insulin resistance and poor lymphatic circulation can explain a lot of the equation.

Since the lymphatic system has no ‘heart’ like our respiratory system, it is a unidirectional transport system that serves to maintain the interstitial fluid and protein homeostasis, sending the antigens to lymph nodes (to be killed) ad facilitating the uptake of vitamins and dietary lipids. There has been a steady number of studies that have established a connection between MS, type 2 diabetes, and lymphatic dysfunction – as well as fat depositions. Several inflammatory markers are high, including white blood cell count (this is what I had before going on Accutane, but doctors paid no attention), pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as pro-inflammatory chemokines. Of course, this means that the correlation between pro-inflammatory markers is associated with insulin resistance and MS (surprise).

Since the liver, pancreas, and muscle all seem to be sites where excess lipid is stored, this is also where most of the inflammation happens and how we get type 2 diabetes as well as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (a worse form of what my dad has). The MS in the body happens when the pro-inflammatory macrophages infiltrate these key organs, thereby leading to insulin resistance. An interesting observation is when lymphatic vessels are ‘leaky’, perhaps this has similar effects to the leaky gut?

Unfortunately, research is still in the works. But nothing about getting your interstitial fluid is risky or ‘crazy. There are a few ways we can all see improvement. The truth is because of our choices to buy seed and vegetable oils – which are high in linoleic acid – all of us have some level of it accumulating in our bodies. And what do you know?

Linoleic acids are fatty acids (lipids) that have detrimental effects on our health. We just recapped what the lymph system does for us, and the linoleic acid can seriously back up this system so it doesn’t perform well, and we know that what affects this system (not just in terms of antigens) also affects the way it functions. And linoleic acid ruins this because it changes our mitochondria.

Lymphatic system cleansing

Well, folks, you’re going to have to trust me on this one.

Because it works.

Not the ‘there are many scientific reports’ works, more like the ‘I feel way better and cleaner after I do this’ works.

There are several methods to encouraging lymphatic drainage:

Fenugreek + Black seeds,
Lymphatic drainage massage,
Dry brushing,
Swimming and,
Walking

Why Fenugreek?

Because fenugreek enhances and encourages the system to ‘open up’ its pores so that sweat is produced as well as excess fluid leaving the body through urine. They are especially good for women, who have way too many issues with multiple hormones and our balance is easily outweighed – but anybody can benefit from fenugreek. (However, pregnant women should check with their doctors if fenugreek is okay for them, because it may induce labour).

Fenugreek is a phytoestrogen, which is a strange term. Phytoestrogen basically imitates the estrogen in female bodies, which is why it is not recommended for females with fibroids or tumorous growths as estrogen worsens these. It is unclear, however, exactly how phytoestrogen operates. Some studies show that they act as antagonists to estrogen, which can have a calming effect on those struggling with excess estrogen, while others say it leads to excess estrogen.

Low phytoestrogens levels can have the same effects as estrogen but block estrogen at higher levels. Moreover, phytoestrogens can have weak binding with receptors, if somebody has normal levels of it in their body. Fenugreek has been shown to aid in digestive issues like constipation and indigestion, it dissolves excess mucous and congestion in the lungs and reduces joint-related inflammation. In a previous article, we discussed the incidence of choline in the states of NAFLD, diabetes, and PCOS.

Well, Fenugreek has been shown to increase HDL because it contains choline (which explains why me, my dad, and mum all saw differences). Fenugreek has been shown to increase the LH (luteinizing hormone – triggers the release of an egg, rises just before ovulation) and FSH (follicle stimulating – stimulates the growth of eggs – also rises just before ovulation) levels in PCOS women as well as reduces their cyst size and reduction of ovarian cysts. This is important for those with PCOS because ‘cysts’ are immature eggs that did not mature and therefore were not released and just died off, becoming fluid-filled sacs. This is the lack of ovulation common in women with PCOS – and can lead to infertility.

Estradiol is the type of estrogen that promotes baby-making

This week was a little hectic for me, but I wanted to do this post regardless because I thought it was important to talk about the effects of Fenugreek on the female body and especially the insulin-sensitizing aspects of it for everyone. Until next time, fellow health-carers!