Eating to Support Lymphatic Health

"You are what you eat". I think this statement has been overused but so misconstrued and misunderstood by those of us living in Westernized societies, especially in the last 60 or 70 years. While much of this is due to advertising and the marketing of processed foods, the truth remains. Eat fake, processed 'carbage' foods and your body will look and feel like garbage. 

However, if we instead focus on whole, real foods that have undergone little or no processing, our body will respond by exuding energy, vibrancy and vigour. 

The lymphatic system is no exception when it comes to the negative impact of consuming these processed, fake, 'frankenfoods'. 

So what can we do to turn this around and improve the health of your lymphatic system? Here are some simple steps that you can take, starting today!

​Focus on hydration. Considering that the lymphatic system is greatly made up of lymphatic fluid, it probably comes as no surprise that keeping hydrated is important for this system. Hydration means drinking adequate water, but also includes electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium. 
 
Focus on anti-inflammatory foods like berries, omega-3 rich animal foods like salmon and other seafood, spices like turmeric and ginger, and unrefined oils like coconut and extra virgin olive oil.
 
Dairy products - consider cutting down or eliminating dairy to see how you feel. For many of us, dairy can cause the production of excess mucous. This mucous can thicken the lymphatic fluid and clog the lymphatic glands and organs.
 
Aim for local, seasonal, organically produced products whenever possible to reduce your exposure to toxins such as pesticides, herbicides and other agricultural chemicals. Get to know your local farmers and growers and find out how they grow and produce their foods. They may not have a certified organic label but may be following organic growing principles.
 
Overall, avoid processed packaged foods whenever possible; focus on quality whole-foods, mainly meats, vegetables, and fruits.
 
And, don’t forget that the atmosphere in which you are eating your meals matters. Try to eat your meals in a relaxed and peaceful environment whenever possible. In order to digest our foods properly, we must be in “rest and digest” mode – meaning that our parasympathetic system is online and our lymphatic fluid has the opportunity to flow.