Lymphatic Weight: The Hidden Cause of Weight Fluctuations

Dec 29, 2024

Weight fluctuations due to the lymphatic system imbalance.

Do you feel like your weight fluctuates for no clear reason? Swelling in your face, hands, feet, or unexplained puffiness might not be due to fat gain at all. Instead, it could be fluid retention caused by a sluggish lymphatic system. Many people don’t realize that they can hold anywhere from 10-20 pounds of excess weight in lymphatic fluid alone. The lymphatic system is often overlooked in discussions about weight and wellness, yet it plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and removing toxins. By understanding and supporting this vital system, you can address fluid retention, reduce puffiness, and feel lighter and more energized.

Your Lymphatic System: The Liver’s Backup Support

The lymphatic system acts as a backup filter when the liver becomes overwhelmed. On my own healing journey, I’ve come to appreciate this partnership more and more. When your liver slows down under the weight of toxins and pathogens, your lymphatic system steps up, taking on the extra load to keep your body functioning.

“When you clean your lymph, your liver has the ability to purge more too. Because, when the liver gets to the point where it becomes sluggish from toxins and pathogens, your lymphatic system must step in to become the filter your liver’s meant to be.” — Anthony William, Medical Medium

This interdependent relationship means that if your liver is overburdened, toxins and pathogens begin to collect in your lymphatic system, causing stagnation.

Physical activity helps regulate the lymphatic weight.

Signs of Lymphatic Fluid Retention

What symptoms are signs of possible lymph stagnation? To name just a few:

Lymph stagnation often develops when the system is overwhelmed by toxins, sluggish circulation, or lack of movement. Unlike the circulatory system, which has the heart as a pump, the lymphatic system depends entirely on physical activity, hydration, and a clean diet to move fluid effectively (in particular raw fruits and vegetables). When these supportive factors are missing, lymph fluid becomes thick and sluggish, leading to buildup in tissues and triggering a variety of symptoms. Lifestyle habits such as consuming high-fat or high-protein meals repeatedly over time without including the other beneficial factors, staying sedentary, or not drinking enough water or consuming too much caffeine can all contribute to stagnation.

Over time, this stagnation causes fluid retention, inflammation, and the symptoms listed below.

Mystery weight gain / edema / cellulite
Much of mystery weight gain is actually fluid retention in the lymphatic system (yes, thyroid conditions can also be an underlying cause).
Acne / swollen glands
These are often caused by strep (bacterial) and other pathogens residing in the lymphatic system. Although common, understanding the cause helps us address it effectively.
Swollen face, eyes, hands, or feet
Puffiness that worsens throughout the day
Skin flare-ups, fatigue, and sluggishness
Constipation or slow digestion

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, this can indicate that your lymphatic system is struggling to keep up with the burden of toxins and pathogens your liver can no longer handle on its own.

Your weight can fluctuate a lot due to lymphatic weight.

How to Address Lymphatic Fluid Retention and Support Your Body

Here’s how you can help your lymphatic system flow more effectively and assist your body while cleansing:

Nutrition and Hydration

Consume an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens—the most helpful foods for lymphatic health.
Reduce high dietary fats and proteins to promote lymph flow. This allows more space for hydration and plant-based nutrients to move through your system.
Hydrate with lemon or lime water, coconut water, and juices like celery juice, cucumber juice, and fresh mixed fruit and vegetable juices for optimal cellular support.

Supportive Herbs and Supplements

Zinc is essential for a healthy lymphatic system, helping to keep your white blood cell count strong.
Gentle, lymph-promoting herbs include:
- Red clover
- Peppermint
- Dandelion root
  Start with milder herbs like peppermint if you’re sensitive and work up to stronger options as your body allows.

Supportive Practices

Your lymphatic system has no built-in pump, so it relies on manual movement through diet, exercise, and massage. This is why so many lymph nodes are located near joints—our bodies are designed to move.

Here are some ways to promote lymphatic flow:

Movement: Try rebounding (health bounces for beginners), gentle walking, stretching, or yoga.
Heat Therapy: Infrared saunas can support lymphatic movement while increasing detoxification and circulation.
Dry Brushing: Regular dry brushing encourages lymphatic flow and smooths the skin.
Massage and Gua Sha: Lymphatic massage or facial gua sha are gentle practices that stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Clean Beauty: Use clean skincare products to reduce your body’s toxic load.
Self-Care Rituals: Explore morning and beauty routines that prioritize lymphatic health and product choices to support overall well-being.
Skincare and Facial Techniques: Incorporate red light therapy, gua sha, face taping, and facial massage to care for your skin while supporting lymphatic flow.

A balanced diet with fruit and vegetables can help regulate your lymphatic weight.

Building a Sustainable Approach to Lower Unwanted Weight

Unwanted weight, especially when connected to fluid retention and lymph stagnation, can often fluctuate during a cleanse. Learning to balance your body through simple yet mindful approaches is key:

Understand the root causes of bloating and discomfort, especially during cleansing periods.
Learn how to eat more simply and build balanced plates to work toward lowering weight while feeling satisfied.
Use journaling prompts for reflection and clarity around your body’s needs and signals.
Develop routines with gentle practices that make the process sustainable, whether it’s a skincare ritual, self-care checklist, or daily meditation.

Ready to Reduce Fluid Retention and Feel Your Best?

This inspired me to create a supportive tool that anyone can follow to experience similar results. My 10-Day Regenerative Cleanse is designed to:

Promote lymphatic flow with cleansing foods and hydration
Address fluid retention and help you feel lighter
Support liver health to eliminate toxins effectively
Provide tools to create sustainable routines that balance weight and reduce bloating
Guide you through practices like mindful eating, self-reflection, and meditation for long-term success
Support you through any of the Medical Medium cleanses, including modified versions, so that you can ask questions along the way and learn how to cleanse in a way that ensures you listen to your body and consume enough calories (this is never about deprivation but more about bringing in an abundance of the good stuff!)

This guided program provides the structure and support you need to reset your lymphatic system and uncover a healthier, more vibrant you. And while we focus on the lymphatic system and fluid retention, we also uncover other factors involved in unwanted and mystery weight gain as well.

Let’s work together to reduce fluid retention, manage unwanted weight gain, feel more energized, and give your body the care it deserves.