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UNLOCK THE SECRETS TO SPLEEN HEALTH: part 6 🌿💪

Of all the visceral organs of the body, the most unsung is the spleen. Even in secondary schools, the biology teachers rarely touch this all important organ that performs magic to the immunity of the body and blood health.

As small as the spleen is, it is too important to be neglected if you don't want to toy with the quality of your blood and body immunity.

Located in the upper left region of the abdomen, the spleen is a vital part of our visceral organs; a fist-sized, just below the diaphragm. It is positioned near the following vital organs, including:

- Stomach: The spleen is located near the stomach, which is situated in the upper middle region of the abdomen.
- Pancreas: The spleen is also located near the pancreas, which is situated behind the stomach(check my previous article on pancreas)
- Left Kidney: The spleen is positioned near the left kidney, which is located in the lower back region.

In this article, I will be focussing on
- The evolution of the spleen
- the structural functionality of the spleen
- how the spleen filters the blood
- benefits of splenic haemolysis
- signs of a failing spleen
- ways of maintaining spleen health
- herbal remedies for spleen health

EVOLUTION OF THE SPLEEN
The spleen has evolved over millions of years to become a highly specialized organ. In primitive vertebrates, the spleen was primarily involved in hematopoiesis (blood cell production). As vertebrates evolved, the spleen's role expanded to include immune function and blood filtration.

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SPLEEN
The spleen's structure is designed to facilitate its functions. It consists of:

- White Pulp: Contains lymphoid cells and is involved in immune function.
- Red Pulp: Contains macrophages and is involved in filtering and removing old or damaged red blood cells.
- Splenic Artery: Brings oxygenated blood to the spleen.
- Splenic Vein: Drains deoxygenated blood from the spleen.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SPLEEN
1. The spleen acts as a filter, removing old, damaged, or abnormal red blood cells from the circulation.
2. The spleen stores red blood cells, which can be released into the circulation when needed, just like the liver, which stores excess glucose in form of glycogen, which is reconverted to glucose and released to the blood circulation when needed.
3. The spleen contains immune cells called macrophages and dendritic cells, which help to detect and respond to pathogens.
4. The spleen helps to remove pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, from the blood.

HOW THE SPLEEN FILTERS RED BLOOD CELLS
1. RBCs enter the spleen through the splenic artery and pass through the splenic cords, where they are examined for their shape, size, and flexibility.
2. Old or damaged RBCs are identified and removed from the circulation by splenic macrophages, which engulf and break down the defective cells.
3. The hemoglobin from the broken-down into bilirubin and ferritin. While the bilirubin is transported to the gall bladder for manufacture of bile salt, iron in the ferritin is stored or reused in the bone marrow to produce new RBCs.

BENEFITS OF SPLENIC HEMOLYSIS
- By removing old or damaged RBCs, the spleen helps to maintain a healthy population of RBCs in the circulation.
- The spleen's ability to remove pathogens and abnormal RBCs helps to prevent infections and diseases.
- The spleen's role in recycling iron from broken-down RBCs helps to conserve this essential nutrient.

SIGNS OF A FAILING SPLEEN
A failing spleen can manifest in various ways. Here are some potential signs and symptoms to look out for:

1. Recurring Infections: If your spleen isn't functioning properly, you may be more prone to infections, especially those caused by encapsulated bacteria.
2. Fatigue and Weakness: A failing spleen can lead to anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
3. Pale Skin: Anemia can also cause pale skin, as there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the skin.
4. Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly): An enlarged spleen can cause discomfort or pain in the upper left side of the abdomen.
5. Easy Bruising or Bleeding: A failing spleen can lead to blood clotting disorders, causing easy bruising or bleeding.
6. Frequent Illness: If your spleen is not filtering your blood properly, you may experience frequent illnesses or infections.
7. Abdominal Pain or Discomfort: Pain or discomfort in the upper left side of the abdomen can be a sign of spleen problems.
8. Blood Disorders: A failing spleen can lead to blood disorders, such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia.
7 TIPS FOR MAINTAINING SPLEEN HEALTH

1. Focus on whole, nutrient-rich foods to support immune function and overall health.
2. Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins and support spleen function.
3. Engage in stress-reducing activities, such as meditation or yoga, to help support immune function.
4. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night to help support immune function and overall health.
5. Incorporate Spleen-Friendly Foods: Foods like beets, carrots, and leafy greens may support spleen health.
6. Limit Processed Foods and Sugars: Avoid or minimize exposure to processed foods and added sugars that can strain spleen function.
7. Stay Active: Engage in regular physical activity to help support immune function and overall health.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR SPLEEN HEALTH
1. Echinacea: May help support immune function and reduce inflammation.
2. Reishi Mushroom: May help support immune function and promote overall health.
3. Astragalus: May help support immune function and reduce stress.

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