Your body is an ecosystem

Over the course of a few billion years, life evolved and adapted from single-celled organisms living in the oceans, to plant, animal and eventually human life out of water. Because humans evolved from organisms that originated in the ocean, we still carry a salt-water environment within us.

We all know how important water is for sustaining health. The human body is anywhere between 55-75% water. Water is essential for biochemical reactions to occur and for communication between cells. Water helps maintain pH balance of bodily fluids, and aids in the functions of digestion, absorption, elimination, circulation, transportation of nutrients, detoxification, and maintenance of body temperature.

Imagine a river flowing downstream. Water moving freely until it approaches an area where fallen trees and rocks have created congestion. The water begins to slow and pool… the conditions begin to change. Anaerobic, stagnant, and acidic conditions become a breeding ground for mosquitos and undesirable bacterial, viral, pathogenic, parasitic life-forms to thrive… 

Water contains energy. It is the movement of water that provides energy to any given biological system. Just like debris caught in a stream will yield slower water flow and less energy, the water-ways within the body also become congested when there is a buildup of toxins and waste particles without proper flow allowing for their excretion. In order to maintain proper flow for detoxification and a clean, fresh, and healthy environment for your cells, we must take actionable steps to support these natural processes. We can either thrive or decay from the choices we make… And if we do get sick — who will we blame — the mosquito or the condition of the water?

Toxicity is the wildcard

The unfortunate truth is that we live in a toxic world. Pollutants, pesticides, preservatives, heavy metals and unregulated chemicals pervade our water, food, air, products, and even furniture. All urban dwellers are disfavored by daily exposure to thousands of airborne contaminants.

When we breathe or ingest chemicals into our system, these contaminants build up in the blood and urine, creating a “body burden” or “toxic load.” As toxic load increases, the body experiences physical stress, creating greater susceptibility for development of chronic disease. Short term exposure can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Long-term toxic build up can increase risk for neurological problems, damage to kidneys, liver, and other organs, development of lung cancer, heart disease and more.

It’s not so much the exposure to a toxin here and chemical there that makes a difference for our health, but rather the overall buildup deluging our systems that we must address and lighten.

Your detox pathways

The ECM, interstitium, and lymph are three components of the detoxification system that work closely to neutralize, bind, and excrete toxins, regulate and maintain pH balance of internal conditions and uphold a strong immune system. They are also susceptible to the accrual of toxins from our environment and can easily become congested without active support.

• The Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) is a three dimensional network existing between our cells, made up of macromolecules such as collagen, glycoproteins, elastin, and fibrin.
• Interstitial fluid flows between these macromolecules. The matrix and the salt-water fluid provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells. 
• Lymph vessels are made up of the same salt-water fluid as the interstitium and acts as a transport system for moving waste out of the body. Lymph also works closely with the immune system to detect invaders and activate an immune response.

What are some signs that your lymph and interstitial fluid is congested by toxins?

• Inflammation 
• Fatigue 
• Infection 
• Disease 
• Headaches, brain fog
• Swollen lymph nodes or tonsils 
• Recurrent sore throats 
• Mucus in the morning or after dairy/gluten
• Ear popping/ringing 
• Frequent colds or flu
• Constipation or sluggish bowels 
• Unable to lose weight 
• Soreness in the morning 
• Bloating or swelling of extremities 
• Pain or stiffness of the spine and shoulders 
• Sore or swelling breasts with menstrual cycle 
• Itchy skin 
• Acne, dry skin, other skin issues 

Ref: 16 Ways to Detox Your Lymphatic System – https://branchbasics.com/blogs/healthy-living/16-ways-to-activate-your-lymphatic-system

8 Ways to Encourage Alkalinity and Lymph Flow

• Alternate hot and cold shower.
• Move, stretch, bounce.
• Infrared Sauna, steam sauna.
• Hydrate! Increase efficacy by hydrating with living systems (such as cucumber, watermelon).
• Dry brushing.
• Lymph massage.
• Avoid glyphosate. 
• Breathe and practice breath techniques.

Our oceans are 30% more acidic than they have ever been in the last 800,000 years (Scientific American). Our bodies are not removed from nature, and as the oceans become more acidic and toxicity levels in the atmosphere rises, we as humans also experience greater acidity and toxic build up in the body.

As a human living in this day and age, we are at greater risk of lymph congestion, and immune compromisation as a result of increased toxic build up from our environment than ever before in the history of our species. It is therefore of utmost importance to adopt daily action steps to protect and stimulate detoxification support for overall health and wellbeing.