The brain is one of the most energetically demanding organs within the body. However, differently to the rest of the body, it doesn’t count on the same filtering or detoxifying systems. The brain tissue also lacks the traditional lymphatic capillaries which allow directional fluid movement and waste clearance. Instead, the brain uses a network termed the Glymphatic System to support a constant influx of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to drive the export of metabolic waste, also understood as detoxifying. All biological processes including movement, digestion and thought require energy, and the metabolic activity necessary to provide that energy generates waste. When metabolic by-products, including a variety of proteins, accumulate in the tissue, they can be harmful if not removed.
The glymphatic system is a network of tunnel-like perivascular spaces that promotes directional, bulk fluid movement through the brain. Glymphatic flow consists of CSF entering the periarterial spaces of the brain, penetrating into the tissue and mixing with interstitial fluid (ISF), and ultimately carrying solutes to the perivenous space to exit the brain tissue.
Understanding the Glymphatic System in 2 key points:
- The glymphatic system is the brain’s detox mechanism, active during sleep, which clears out by-products of neural activity accumulated during wakefulness.
- This system uses cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to cleanse the brain, functioning similarly to the lymphatic system in other parts of the body.
According to a paper written in the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda,”the glymphatic system is a recently discovered macroscopic waste clearance system that utilizes a unique system of perivascular channels, formed by astroglial cells, to promote efficient elimination of soluble proteins and metabolites from the central nervous system. Besides waste elimination, the glymphatic system may also function to help distribute non-waste compounds, such as glucose, lipids, amino acids, and neurotransmitters related to volume transmission, in the brain. Intriguingly, the glymphatic system function mainly during sleep and is largely disengaged during wakefulness. The biological need for sleep across all species may therefore reflect that the brain must enter a state of activity that enables elimination of potentially neurotoxic waste products, including β-amyloid. […] Recent studies indicate that glymphatic function is suppressed in various diseases and that failure of glymphatic function in turn might contribute to pathology in neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury and stroke.”
Importance of Detoxification:
- Regular detoxification, including practices like chiropractic care, helps maintain the efficiency of the body’s natural filtration systems.
- Sleep deprivation and poor mitochondrial function can impair the glymphatic system, leading to cognitive decline and increased risk of brain diseases.
Role of Chiropractic Care:
- Proper alignment and movement of the spine are crucial for optimal brain function and detoxification.
- Chiropractic adjustments, particularly upper cervical adjustments, have been shown to increase CSF and blood flow, enhance brain detoxification, and potentially reverse certain brain conditions.
- Maintaining spinal health through posture, exercise, and chiropractic care supports the efficiency of the glymphatic system.
Additional Practices to Support the Glymphatic System:
- Intermittent fasting
- Yoga and movement, particularly inversions
- Standing at work instead of sitting
- Whole-body vibration therapy
- Breathing exercises like pranayama
- Massage
- Hydration
- Regular exercise, including rebounding, jumping, and running
Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments:
- Enhanced CSF flow: Research indicates that chiropractic adjustments can significantly boost CSF flow, aiding in brain detoxification.
- Improved brain health: Increased CSF flow can help mitigate conditions like cerebellar invagination and brain plaquing, which are associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Dr Chris Ientile has over 40 years of experience as a Chiropractor in Gold Coast, Australia. If you are interested in a Consultation, please call us 07 5535 9833 or book your Initial Appointment online.
