Both of these analogies gives you an idea of how the Extracellular Matrix works. The freeway would be the matrix, also known as interstitial space or tissue fluid. The patients symbolizes the cells. The organs are the nutrients and hormones needed to make their way through the matrix to the cells. If you have an extra cellular matrix all clogged up like LA’s traffic, then it makes a sluggish system, and your nutrients can’t make it through. However, if you keep it clean by eating the chemical free, organic foods, drinking purified water, and cleansing your system periodically, then your nutrients will fly through the ECM to the cells, saving their lives. Without those nutrients, the cells will die, and not reproduce. Or worse, they will reproduce in a sick state and reproduce sick offspring

There is only 2 compounds that make up the ECM. One is a bunch of sugars attached together- Polysaccharides, and the other is a protein attached to a bunch of sugars- proteoglycans. This latter and more complex compound is broken up into more subgroups. In our analogy, these would be the cars on the ECM Freeway. One of these groups are called GAGS (glycosaminoglycans). They have a bunch of sugars attached to an amino acid. In the GAGS group are 7 more subgroups: Chondroitin-4 sulfate, Chondroiton-6 Sulfate, Heparin Sulfate, Heparin, Keratan sulfate, Dermaten Sulfate and Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is very large. It is also the only one that has no sulfate and does not form a proteoglycan when attached to a protein. You can find Hyaluronic Acid in connective tissue, skin, cartilage and synovial fluid. It has low compression and high velocity making lubrication easy. Dermaten Sulfate is mostly found in the heart, skin, heart valves, and blood vessels. Chondroiton-6 Sulfate is also in the skin as well as in the arteries, bone and cornea. Chondroiton-4 Sulfate is in the same areas as Chondroiton-6 Sulfate with the addition of cartilage. Heparin Sulfate is found on the surface of cells, and basement membranes, as well as the arteries and lungs. Heparin is in mast cells- those that contain Histamine (known for it’s inflammatory properties causing allergies, and sinusitis)- lungs, skin, and liver.

Other proteins that live in the ECM would be collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the body. Elastin, fibronectin and laminin are some of the other structures. These peptides connect the cells to the base membrane. Fibronectin actually works to connect cells to collagen . Elastin is a little more resilient than collagen is. It can resist changes in ph, as well as heat and can stretch further so the tissue doesn’t tear. Laminin is mostly used by the nervous system because they attach Schwann Cells to the basement membranes. Most of these cells are called fibroblast cells because they produce fiber.

The cells we see in the extra cellular matrix, other than the ones listed above include macrophages known to eat away the debris from ECM. These would be considered the “Street Sweepers” of our ECM Freeway. This would clean it up so that the ambulance can fly through with no worries of a log in the middle of the lane, or even something as small as a plastic bag that gets caught on the windshield wiper obstructing the view for the driver and causing and accident. Lymphocytes are white blood cells. There are two types of lymphocytes- B Cells and T Cells. B Cells are born in the bone marrow and live there their entire lives. T Cells are also born in the bone marrow, but as they grow older, they move to the Thymus to mature. T cells cause inflammation which activates the macrophages to eat out the toxins causing the inflammation to be released. These two work together to help clean out the ECM and destroy all of the agents causing illnesses.

When the ECM Freeway is showing signs of a traffic jam starting up, we can help clear it out quickly and easily by detoxifying. When we detox, we release all of the congestion in the ECM, causing less releases of the T and B Cells, and causing less stress and work on the body to clean it up. When our ECM is clogged, our cells have to work harder to make sure it is cleaned, as well as working harder to get to those cells that are regenerating. Once we clean out our system by detoxifying, we can maintain it by getting plenty of rest, drinking pure water, eating more organic foods with an emphasis on raw fruits and vegetables, since they release enzymes that work to clean the ECM, dry brushing, and releasing stress. It might be impossible to keep your ECM fully clear, like an old farm road that gets used once a year. There is too many industries, cars, etc causing toxins in the air. We also live in a society that is so fast paced causing us to overload eat food fast (and fast food), and not take care of ourselves. By doing small things like slowing down when we chew our food, which helps release more enzymes in our systems. Keeping the extra minerals packed into tap water out of our bodies by drinking the pure water, and getting filters on all shower heads can also help tremendously. If you add one thing a month or even every 3 months, can help you clean and keep clean your Extracellular Matrix. This not only allows all of the cells to fly through with no obstructions arriving safely to the cells they are aimed for, but also prevents illness, and fatigue.

The extra cellular matrix is an amazing tool. Just like our freeways, as long as we take care of it, make sure it is clean, repaired, and free of excess buildup, we can allow our nutrients and hormones to have proper communication with the cells they need. We also assure our own health and well being. Would you rather need an organ in Round Rock, or LA?