Author: Zac Ch’ng, Nutritionist

Lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It comprises a network of tissues and organs, that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials, known as lymphatic vessels. The primary function of the lymphatic vessels is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells.

Thus, white blood cells can travel through the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and are on constant patrol throughout the body looking for pathogens. To monitor for invading microbes, the body enables the lymphatic system. The lymph node is part of the lymphatics system. There are around 500-600 lymph nodes in the human body.  Each lymph node contains specialized compartments where they can encounter antigens (pathogen or invaders). Through the incoming lymphatic vessels, the immune cells and foreign particles enter the lymph nodes, thus these nodes swell in response to infection.

The immune cells gather, work, and serve to confront antigens in lymph nodes and the spleen’s compartments. Activated immune cells then pass further up the lymphatic system so that they can reach the bloodstream. Now, they are equipped to spread the immune response throughout the body, through the blood circulation.

By understanding how the lymphatic system works, this explains why physical exercise helps to improve immunity. The exertion during physical exercise mobilises the circulation of lymphatic fluid, and gets immune response activated.

It is however unfortunate that in today’s lifestyle, not all are committed to work out. As an alternative, immune-enhancing foods are recommended by scientists and medical experts to keep our immunity at tip top level, to minimise the potential for contagious diseases, like A-influenza which take millions of lives every year, dengue which happen repeatedly due to it’s continuous mutagenic change, and the global pandemic COVID-19.

Exercise is free. Otherwise, there is a price for an optimal immunity.