Top 30 Foods You Should Eat To Boost Your Fertility

WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share Optimise your diet for better fertility In general, a myriad of reasons can affect fertility, ranging from age to other reproductive issues. While many of these factors are out of our control, one key factor that we can control is our diet and lifestyle. In a study conducted in the United States of America (USA), participants who have followed a combination of five or more low-risk lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity and weight management have shown to significantly reduce ovulatory disorder infertility [1]. While there is no specific food or fertility diet that can miraculously guarantee conception, eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet will definitely improve your overall well-being and in turn, boost your reproductive health. In this article, we will list the top 30 foods that you can incorporate into your fertility diet. Everyday food that can boost fertility for both male and female Walnuts Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in plants. For males, Omega-3 PUFAs are crucial for sperm maturation and membrane function, while for females, they have been shown to have a positive impact on fertility, potentially via improving oocyte quality and embryo implantation. Walnuts are also rich in magnesium, which is necessary for the production of progesterone and maintaining a good blood supply to the womb, both of which helps prepare the womb for pregnancy. How to eat: You can choose to take a handful of walnuts as a snack or add them to your salads, chicken, or oatmeal as a nutritional crunch. Eggs Eggs, especially the egg yolks, are loaded with many essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, zinc, Vitamin B6, folate, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A. Eggs from pasture-raised chickens are also packed with fertility-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which studies have shown to potentially prolong certain reproductive functions into advanced maternal age [2]. How to eat: You can choose to eat eggs in many different ways: hard-boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, poached etc., but remember to eat the whole egg with the yolk included. Pomegranates Rich in antioxidants, pomegranates have shown to be beneficial to both female and male fertility. For females, antioxidants can stimulate the uterus by improving blood flow to the womb as well as promote healthy uterine lining for implantation. As for males, antioxidants can improve sperm quality. Pomegranates are also rich in important vitamins such as Vitamin C and E, and folic acid, all of which are beneficial when trying to conceive. How to eat: You can eat the pomegranate seeds as a healthy snack, or even drink pomegranate juice. Ideally, take ½ to 1 cup of pomegranate juice occasionally. Take note that pomegranates may interact with certain medications, like blood thinners, so consult your doctor or physician first before incorporating it into your diet. Citrus fruits (Oranges, Grapefruits) Citrus fruits are a great source of Vitamin C, which can help boost fertility and hormone levels in females, as well as improve males’ sperm count and quality. Grapefruits and oranges also contain polyamine putrescine, which has been associated with the potential to improve egg and semen health. How to eat: Enjoy orange slices on their own, or you can incorporate citrus fruit juices into your smoothies. Take caution that grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications, so speak to your doctor to check whether grapefruit juice is suitable for you. Pomelo Pomelos are rich in Vitamin C, which not only helps boost the immune system but also helps in boosting fertility and hormone levels. Vitamin C also enhances sperm count, sperm motility and sperm quality, which in turn ensures higher chances of conception. Pomelos are also packed with other fertility-boosting nutrients such as potassium, calcium and Vitamin B, which can help regulate ovulation and create a favourable environment for the ovulating eggs. How to eat: You can simply enjoy pomelos as a fruit snack. Pineapple Pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C. A 1 cup serving of pineapples will provide 46% of your daily recommended Vitamin C levels. Low Vitamin C levels have been associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and so it is vital to reach your daily recommended intake of Vitamin C. Pineapples also contain the natural enzyme bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation may impede fertility, and chronic inflammation can even encourage the body to suppress ovulation. Taking bromelain can encourage the immune system to deviate from an inflammatory state. How to eat: Opt for fresh pineapples whenever possible, as most of the bromelain is destroyed in canned pineapples due to the heat in the canning process. You can choose to eat it fresh or even grilled. Take note not to over-consume pineapples, as they can lead to increased uterine contractions. Blueberries Blueberries are not only high in Vitamin C and folic acid, both of which are essential fertility boosting nutrients, they are also packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants help in reducing damage to reproductive cells that are caused by environmental toxins and “free radicals”, thereby ensuring reproductive cells are healthy and functioning normally to boost fertility. How to eat: You can just take a handful of blueberries to enjoy as a snack, or add them to your salads, smoothies, or yoghurt. Sunflower seeds Roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds are packed with Vitamin E, which have been shown to help boost sperm count and motility. Sunflower seeds are also loaded with Omega-6 fatty acids and a small amount of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to impact fertility positively. Additionally, they are packed with other fertility-boosting nutrients such as zinc, folate and selenium. How to eat: You can take sunflower seeds as a snack, or add them to your food for additional flavour and crunch. Mature cheeses Mature cheeses, such as aged cheddar and parmesan are high in polyamines, which play an important role in our reproductive system.

So you’ve booked your first Electro-Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (ELT) appointment. What next?

WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share First of all, congratulations! You’ve just secured your first step towards taking charge of your wellness and to help yourself #feelbetterfaster. As this is your first experience with Electro-Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (ELT) and you may not be sure what to expect, so we are here to help! Read on to find out more about lymphatic health, how ELT can benefit you and what to expect in your first ELT session. Why did your Physician recommend ELT to you? Having a healthy smooth-flowing lymphatic system is an important building block to optimal wellness! Hence, ELT is recommended whether you are looking to improve your general wellness or you have a serious chronic condition. To grow strong and healthy like a big tree, a smooth lymphatic system helps you to build strong roots, to detoxify effectively and to improve your immune function. What is the lymphatic system and what does it do? The lymphatic system is a huge network of tissues and organs that help the body get rid of unwanted materials. Its main function is the transport of lymph, a fluid containing white blood cells which help the body fight infections. The lymphatic system works with the circulatory system to help the body get rid of toxins in a process more commonly known as detoxification. The main functions of the lymphatic system can be summarized into three big aspects: Maintain a healthy immune system to detect health issues (important for all of us in this current global situation but particularly important for patients with cancer and auto-immune conditions) Clear toxins from the body Maintain balance of body fluids by facilitating the return of fluids to the heart Our lymphatic system is closely tied to detoxification and the maintenance of a healthy cellular environment. When there is congestion in the lymph system, cellular detox tends to decrease, leading to waste accumulation and less optimal nutritional absorption by cells. Over time, this can result in cell malnourishment and poor health. This phenomenon is like having a “choked or congested sink” at the cellular level. Over time, the body becomes prone to sickness as toxins accumulate and cells become less able to fight diseases. What causes lymphatic congestion? Lymphatic congestion occurs as a result of various reasons, including lifestyle and non-lifestyle factors such as the below: These factors result in poor lymphatic drainage which could lead to dire consequences like poor health, compromised immunity or even lymphedema (swelling due to excess fluids in tissues). How does ELT help? Electro-Lymphatic DrainageTherapy (ELT) is an FDA-approved, non-invasive technology that helps to stimulate proper flow and drainage of the Lymphatic System. It makes use of a combination of vibrational, light, and electrical waves to stimulate the lymphatic flow via the dissociation of proteins that have been trapped in the interstitium. While the surface technique is patterned after Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, ELT can promote lymphatic drainage at a deeper level and in a less amount of time. The relaxing and pain-free therapy makes it an excellent choice for individuals looking to improve their health without compromising on comfort. How does ELT work? ELT machines are equipped with glass probes that contain inert gases Argon, Krypton and Xenon. The ionization of these gases produces energy and ions which penetrate the lymph system to break down protein and wastes. This process is what contributes to detoxification and helps promote lymphatic drainage at the lymph nodes. During the therapy, the therapist will glide the probes in line with the body’s natural lymphatic flow to promote the movement of lymph fluid towards lymph nodes for drainage. The ELT machine operates at 10 levels: 0 to 9. The lower the level, the deeper the inert gases are able to penetrate, which allows congestion in deeper parts of the body to be cleared. During the first session, therapists will usually start around level 6 – 9 in order to start clearing from the more superficial levels of the lymphatic system. Once congestion is deemed to be cleared at a level, the therapist will move down to the next level in the following session. There are 3 ways to tell when the lymph system is congested: Resistance when the probe moves along the skin surface Lack of sound Presence of ‘detox’ smell (we let you experience this when you come!) When one or more of the above is present, the area is deemed to be congested. The therapist will likely spend more time attempting to decongest the area, which usually coincides with the area of concern. In general, it takes about 1 – 2 sessions to move down a level, but depending on the patient’s condition and body constitution, it may take more than 20 sessions to reach level 0. As such, patients are recommended to do ELT sessions once per week to ensure continuity of progress until the lymphatic health is restored to its peak (i.e. level 0). The Process Before starting your first ELT session, you would have to undergo a consultation process with our Physicians for assessment of condition. The physician will then advise on the suitability of ELT treatment before handing you over to our friendly therapist who has been pre-briefed regarding your condition. As every patient’s concerns are different, this process will ensure that ELT is suitable for you and that you are able to reap maximum health benefits from the treatment. Then, your therapist will lead you to a private ELT room for a briefing on the procedure and what to expect during the treatment. As ELT requires direct contact between the electro-lymphatic probes and the skin, you will be asked to remove your clothes (except for their underwear) and jewellery (if any). Female and male patients will be served by our female and male therapists respectively. As the ELT treatment lasts at least 60 minutes, you are encouraged to visit the washroom before the

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine help with Cancer Support?

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine help with Cancer Support? WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share We understand that a cancer diagnosis for you or your loved one can be a distressing and emotional time for you and your family. In this article, we will explain how Oriental Remedies Group can help improve the quality of life for the patient during this tumultuous period, by providing cancer support via Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Technology-Enhanced Therapies, along your route to recovery. In recent years, more cancer patients are turning to TCM as a form of cancer support. In our clinic, we see an increasing number of patients who suffer from side effects of chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy and are seeking complementary TCM therapies to reduce the side effects and alleviate symptoms such as pain. Why use TCM for cancer support? Many clinical studies have shown that TCM is effective in supporting treatments against breast, gastric and lung cancer. An example from one of the researches shows that when TCM is used as a complementary therapy combined with conventional chemotherapy, patients increased the survival rate, had a better response to chemotherapy and experienced reduced side effects, including vomiting and the decline of red blood cells.[1] On top of that, TCM also improves the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in fighting cancer, guided by therapeutic principles of tonifying Qi and producing Blood[1], strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, nourishing the Liver and Kidney and removing Heat or inflammation from Blood and toxic materials from the body. TCM also plays a strong role in helping patients with advanced cancer diagnosis or patients, especially elderly ones, where radiotherapy and chemotherapy are deemed as unsuitable treatment therapies. Research shows that TCM can stabilise tumour lesions, improve symptoms, enhance the quality of life and prolong survival time.[1] If you’re getting a little lost above, fret not. In this article, we hope to demystify TCM and help you gain better knowledge and awareness so that you can make an informed decision with the use of TCM treatments in your recovery. The efficacy of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in cancer treatment. Source: NCBI What exactly is cancer? According to the Singapore Cancer Society, cancer is a term that refers to a group of diseases, all of which are characterised by abnormal cell growth.[2] When the normal regulated process of cell division and growth malfunctions, the cells will grow and divide uncontrollably. As they continue to grow and multiply, they may amass to form tumours. There are two kinds of tumours; benign and malignant. The former is a tumour that continues to grow and divide in the same place, without spreading to other parts of the body. On the other hand, when the tumour spreads and invades into other parts of the body via metastasis, it is a life-threatening tumour known as malignant tumours. What causes cancer from a TCM perspective? 1) Weak immunity Qi has a defensive mechanism that protects the body, thus weakened Qi formed from poor digestive function results in weakened immunity Coldness restricts the flow of Qi and Blood resulting in stagnation Stress and emotions stagnate Qi flow 2) Poor Blood circulation It can result from coldness accumulated in the body. This could be from external environment or frequent ingestion of food of cold nature Weak Qi (energy) is unable to encourage Blood flow. Hence, many cancer patients tend to feel cold and have cold extremities Blood is thick and turbid thus stagnated 3) Phlegm Dampness accumulation Weakened digestive function Excessive intake of food of cold nature or oily/greasy food Exposure to cold environments weakens Spleen’s ability to transform food into nutritive essence, thereby reducing the formation of Qi and Blood Poor bowel movement results in the accumulation of toxins 4) Exposure to Dampness from the environment Environmental toxins Exposure of damp and cold environment Patient trying Electro-Lymphatic Therapy at Oriental Remedies Group How does Oriental Remedies Group support cancer recovery? TCM views the treatment of cancer holistically, with a systematic approach being taken to treat and improve the overall condition of the body. Physicians customise a treatment plan suited to the patient, based on the identified root cause(s). At Oriental Remedies Group, a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments and Technology-Enhanced Therapies are prescribed to boost the patients’ immune system and to strengthen and nourish the body. Even when you are undergoing conventional cancer treatments, you can still work on improving your quality of life! Find out some of the key therapies prescribed for cancer warriors below: Acupuncture Acupuncture utilises very fine needles placed at different parts of the body to help regulate, realign and improve the condition of the body and its organs Acupuncture treatments are focused on improving the patients’ quality of life Cancer patients report the below benefits: Strengthened immune system More energy and reduced lethargy Reduced cancer treatment side effects Reduced anxiety Herbal Medication Helps to recuperate the body, replenish the Qi and energy, nourishing the body so that it can fight the cancer cells Some herbal medication are supported by research to help suppress the growth and spread of cancer in the body Electro-Lymphatic Therapy Improves the function of the lymphatic system which is closely linked to ‘San Jiao’ in TCM Cancer patients report better well-being: Strengthened immunity Reduced pain, aches and inflammation Reduce water retention and lymphedema (especially for cancer patients who have gone through lymph node removals) Better sleep and mobility Aside from TCMxTech-Enhanced Therapies recommended by your physicians, it is equally important for cancer patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet for their body system to function optimally while/after undergoing treatments. Here are some strategies on How To Eat Right During and After Chemotherapy/ Radiotherapy. Is TCM suitable for every cancer patient? Yes! TCM Physicians work alongside major hospitals in Singapore like Tan Tock Seng Hospital to provide care to patients with all sorts of conditions, not just cancer. However, it is important to seek professional consultation from certified physicians as some patients may be allergic to certain herbs, or certain herbs are not suitable when patients

What is the link between Traditional Chinese Medicine and allopathic Western medicine

Understanding our lymphatic system and how it works WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share A study of San Jiao (三膲) and the Lymphatic system. A lot of our patients have asked us why we spend time educating people about lymphatic health and system, which is seemingly a Western concept, when we are primarily a TCM organization? To understand the link between the two, we must first understand the differences between how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine evolved to the same goal of healing the body. TCM evolved over the last 5000 years based on practice and observing experiences of patients, often seeing the body as a whole inter-connected system. Western medicine roots back to the 19th century and is derived from scientific research and studies. However, modern research has started to put medical ‘names’ to the TCM concepts that have existed for thousands of years. For example, “the essence of kidney” is a core concept in TCM theory and modern studies123 have shown that “kidney deficiency syndrome” is equivalent to the aging in modern medicine4. Similarly, some studies showed that what is known as “heart qi deficiency” is associated with cardiac insufficiency in modern medicine567. In this article, we will share how our lymphatic system has been observed to share many similarities with the TCM concept of 三焦 (San Jiao) and meridians. These, along with a renewed understanding on the importance of our lymphatic system in fighting against hormonal, metabolic and cancer related issues with recent studies, is the reason for our increasing focus on good lymphatic health here at Oriental Remedies Group. The Lymphatic System and San Jiao The lymphatic system is an intricate web of lymph nodes and vessels that spans throughout our body, with the primary function of transporting lymph fluids containing toxins, biological waste, different types of proteins and fats throughout the body. (Refer to our Article: Understanding Our Lymphatic System And How It Works for more information on our Lymphatic System). Source: lieske.com San jiao, also referred to as “Triple Warmer”, is not an organ but it is important in TCM because it is an omnipresent structure that contains the different bodily systems and organs, and is deeply involved with the functions of the different organs in the San Jiao by being the passageway for fluids, food essence, waste etc. For the body to carry out its normal functions, there must be a good balance and a clear passageway for the exchange of these essential materials between the 3 different energizers. Despite not having a physical structure, San Jiao serves a very important function as a passageway for the movement of “qi”, heat and fluid throughout the body. It is also vital in the removal of wastes and is closely involved in the metabolism processes in the body. Just like the San Jiao, the lymphatic system also shares similar functions of: 1) fluid regulation2) elimination of wastes and toxins3) playing a part in our body’s metabolism. Figure 1 and 2: Visualization of San Jiao and Lymphatic System Figure 1: San Jiao can be broadly separated into 3 different parts: Upper Energizer (上焦), Middle Energizer (中焦) and Lower Energizer (下焦). Different organs and visceras belong to each of the different parts according to their location in the body. 1) Fluid Regulation: Whether you are diagnosed with problematic lymphatic system by Western medicine or deficient San Jiao by TCM practitioner, they will both point to a pathologic condition of edema. Fluid regulation is a very important function of our body’s lymphatic system. When excess fluid is not removed, water retention happens and water is collected at the area. This is what we commonly known as water retention, swelling or edema. In technical terms, at our capillaries, fluid from blood plasma exits the blood vessels and while most returns almost immediately to the blood in the capillaries by osmosis, some remains in interstitial spaces as extracellular fluids and must be returned to the blood by way of the lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic system removes these excess fluids left behind in the cells and returns them into the circulatory system when the lymph fluids enters the subclavian veins via the thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct. Similarly in TCM, our San Jiao serves an important role in fluid regulation. San Jiao is the connection pathway between various organs and it ensures that fluid is able to flow between the different organs in separate energizers in order for our body to function normally. Our body fluid is derived from food broken down by our digestive system and is processed by different organs to moisten and nourish the viscera and the body. In particular, the most important organs for water metabolism are the lung in the upper energizer, the spleen in the middle and the kidney in the lower energizer. The ancient traditional chinese book Elementary Questions (Su Wen) explains, “The Triple Burner holds the office of the sluices; it manifests as the waterways.” 2) Waste Disposal: Both the lymphatic system and the San Jiao function to eliminate waste from the body. Source: dynamicscience.com.au Our lymph nodes filter waste and foreign particles in the lymph, then adds lymphocytes and antibodies before the purified lymph returns to the circulatory system. In doing so, the lymphatic system ensures that any remaining waste in the cells are returned back into the venous blood are excreted from the body via the kidneys etc. And as lymph capillaries are bigger than blood capillaries, it helps in the disposal of larger wastes such as unwanted proteins. In more technical terms, arterial blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones for the cells. It enters the cells at capillaries and 90% of this fluid, now carrying waste products from the cells, then returns to the circulatory system as venous blood. The remaining 10% of this fluid becomes lymph which enters our lymphatic system. This waste is protein-rich due to the undigested proteins that were removed from the cells. Correspondingly, the kidney and intestines in the lower energizer of San Jiao is

Understanding our lymphatic system and how it works

Understanding our lymphatic system and how it works WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share You have heard of the body’s lymphatic system, but how well do you know of its function and the role it plays in our body’s daily function? The fact is that the lymphatic system is involved in such complex diverse (multitude) ways that it is difficult to do a simple introduction of this important system. It is therefore not surprising that most may not have a good enough understanding of our lymphatic system and how it works. The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network comprising of lymphoid organs, lymph ducts, lymph tissues, lymph capillaries and lymphatic vessels that carry lymph and other substances throughout the body. There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the human body. They are located deep inside the body, such as around the lungs and heart, or closer to the surface, such as under the arm or groin. Functions of the lymphatic system and how it works Essentially, the lymphatic system is responsible for 3 Major functions of the body:  Maintain the balance of our bodily fluid by returning fluid to the heart Help large molecules enter the blood Immune surveillance Lymphatic vessels, also known as lymphatics, are responsible for maintaining the balance of the body fluids. As blood moves through the arteries and veins, 10% of the fluid filtered by the capillaries, along with vital proteins and antigens, leaks out into the interstitial space and becomes trapped in the tissues of the body. The lymphatic system collects this fluid through lymphatic vessels, also known as lymphatics, and returns it to the circulatory system. The lymph is released back into the circulatory system through two major ducts at the neck area: right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct (also known as left lymphatic duct). This removal of excess fluids from body tissues is crucial because water, proteins, and other substances are continuously leaking out of tiny blood capillaries into the surrounding body tissues. If the lymphatic system didn’t drain the excess fluid from the tissues, the lymph fluid would build up in the body’s tissues, and they would swell. The lymphatic system plays an integral role in the immune functions of the body. It is the first line of defence against disease. Lymphoid organs remove foreign material in lymph from entering the bloodstream and act as lookouts in the immune system. When lymph drains to a nearby lymph node, pathogens are detected and allows the system to elicit an immune response and prevent the onset of illness and diseases from invading microorganisms. The spleen also helps the body fight infection. The spleen contains lymphocytes and another kind of white blood cell called macrophages, which engulf and destroy bacteria, dead tissue, and foreign matter and remove them from the blood passing through the spleen.The lymphatic system helps deliver nutrients to our tissues and removes wastes from them. For instance, Fatty acids get packaged into chylomicrons at the small intestines and since they are too big to move to enter the bloodstream through the capillaries, they are instead dumped back into the blood at the thoracic duct via our body’s lymphatic vessels. Source: dynamicscience.com.au Unlike our circulatory system where the heart pumps blood around the body, our lymphatic system does not have a pump. Instead, the unidirectional flow of lymph is maintained by intraluminal valves and smooth muscles in lymph vessels that react to arterial pulse and skeletal muscle. Since the lymph system must be pumped by the movement of our muscles, the less we move, the more stagnant our lymph system becomes. With today’s sedentary lifestyle, pollution, diets low in nutrients and high in fats, sugars, additives, preservatives and, because most of us fail to drink enough pure water to assist our body to eliminate toxins, our lymphatic system becomes overloaded, congested and clogged. Fatigue, stress, infection, emotional shock, lack of physical activity or dehydration may also stagnate the flow of lymph. Consequently, as toxins accumulate, cells are unable to function properly resulting in various metabolic and infectious problems. Effects of a malfunctioning lymphatic system Although further studies still have to be made, many existing studies have observed a correlation between lymphatic vascular defects and obesity, hypertension as well as other metabolic disorders. This is because the immune response and metabolic regulation are highly integrated and the proper function of each is dependent on the other. In addition, research on mouse models has shown that the magnitude of obesity was correlated to the extent of disorganization and leakage of the lymphatic vessels, with the oldest and most obese mice having the most severely disrupted lymphatics. On the other hand, the inability by lymphatics in our small intestines to pick up lipids will result in malabsorption.   Aside from impacting our metabolic system, when the nodes, ducts, vessels or lymph tissues become blocked, infected, inflamed or cancerous, the lymphatic system can become dysfunctional and result in various lymphatic conditions. Common lymphatic conditions A common disorder of the lymphatic system is lymphoedema, a condition caused by a built up of fluid in tissues that result in swelling. It generally occurs in arms or legs and is usually caused by removal or damage to lymph nodes. This failure to drain fluid properly causes accumulation of protein-rich fluid combined with inflammation, adipose tissue hypertrophy, and progressive fibrosis, ultimately leading to reduced quality of life, functional impairment, and physical deformity. Infection can lead to enlargement of the lymph nodes due to an increased immune response in the area in order to fight off foreign pathogens. This is known as lymphadenopathy. The least common but most serious lymphatic disease is lymphoma, which is the formation of cancer cells in lymph nodes. Lymphoma is usually secondary and arises when cancer spreads from a primary tumour (such as in the breast) to nearby or regional lymph nodes. It is rare for a cancer to