• The lymphatic system is like our body’s “sewage system,” which is part of both the circulatory system and the immune system.
• It maintains fluid levels in our body tissues, by draining their excess fluids and returning them to the bloodstream.
• The lymphatic system is important for the optimal functioning of both general and acute immune responses, protecting the body by flushing out toxins.
• The lymph nodes monitor the lymph (the liquid which flows through the lymphatic system), and produce cells and antibodies which protect the body from infection and disease.
• The spleen and thymus gland are lymphatic organs that monitor the blood, and can detect and respond to pathogens or malignant cells.
• The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the absorption of fats from the intestine.
• When the lymphatic system is compromised, or damaged by surgery, radiotherapy, or tissue damage, a swelling in parts of the body may occur (most commonly in the legs or arms). When this swelling lasts overthree months, it’s called lymphoedema.
• When the lymphatic system is not functioning well, it can lead to water retention, weight gain, obesity, Crohn’s disease and other disorders.