A blackhead is a yellowish or blackish bump or plug on the skin. A blackhead is a type of acne vulgaris. It is caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland's duct. The substance found in these bumps mostly consists of keratin and modified sebum (an oily secretion of the sebaceous gland), which darkens (resembling dirt) as it oxidizes
This quick, easy, kid-friendly vegetarian tofu burger recipe is a sure way to get your kids or anyone else to eat tofu. Tofu burgers are a favorite with all our family and friends.
Half the tofu burger recipe if you're a small family, or save the leftover mix for sloppy joes, or scambled tofu. Improvise freely with the seasonings and the grains. But if you want onions, use them on the outside, not the inside - too wet.
Add all your favorite veggie burger fixings, fries, corn on the cob, whatever you like. Or go healthy, and serve the patties with steamed veggies and brown rice.
Amber - Amber absorbs negative energies and transforms them into positive forces that stimulate the body to heal itself. It can also help counteract suicidal or depressive tendencies.
Amethyst - has the power to calm the mind and emotions, creating a sense of peace. Amethyst also stimulates the intellectual and creative side of you. Amethysts are very powerful for people who suffer sleepless nights or for those with disturbing dreams and nightmares.
Ametrine - is an extremely energetic quartz of courage and harmony that contains both Amethyst and Citrine. Ametrine expels prejudice, stimulates creativity, strengthens concentration, promotes optimism and aids thinking things through.
Aquamarine - This beautiful crystal is reputedly able to dampen fears and gives its wearer a sense of confidence. It promotes communication and helps one to express oneselves. It is beneficial to wear it to examinations or while meditating.
Aventurine - This crystal promotes clarity of mind and self confidence thus reinforces decisiveness and amplifies leadership qualities. Aventurine helps you to focus and find creative solutions when you're feeling overwhelmed by problems.
Bloodstone - believed to have great magical and protective properties, possessing the ability to banish evil, keep out undesirable influences and dispel negativity. As its name suggests, Bloodstone is an excellent blood cleanser.
Carnelian - promotes happiness, creativity, steadfastness, confidence, courage, analytical power and assertiveness, and helps one to achieve greater success in career and personal matters.
Charoite - Charoite transmutes negativity and cleanses the aura. It bestows drive and vigor and is able to reduce stress and worry, bringing about a relaxed attitude. Charoite is also used to overcome obsessions and compulsions.
Clear Quartz - has very strong powers of protection against anyone who doesn't mean you well. Clear Quartz is a pure and powerful energy source which has the ability to transmit and receive energy.
Garnet - is also known as the stone of health, passion and romantic love. It enhances one's sexuality, sensuality and intimacy. Garnet also helps one to effectively deal with high stress, sadness, depression and critical situations.
Hematite - In physical healing, crystal healers credit Hematite with the ability to stimulate iron absorption, which in turn improves oxygen supply to the body and blood circulation.
Jade - is a desired stone prized for thousands of year in China for its protective powers and healing qualities. It is also said to stimulate creativity and mental agility, and enhance one's health. Jade is regarded as a symbol of the good and the beautiful.
Jasper - The powerful Jasper crystal is a stone that cools, soothes and calms the mind and nerves, hence reduces stress and brings tranquility. It enhances one's ability to relax and heal if necessary.
Lapis Lazuli - helps make one feel more empowered and cultivate a more fearless, adventuresome spirit and encourages taking charge of life. It also stimulates the higher faculties of the mind, bringing objectivity and clarity.
Moonstone - or Moonstone is most a great stone used to alleviate period pains, reduce emotional turbulence during menopause and enhances fertility. Moonstone helps bring out the best feminine qualities in a woman, provides emotional balance and enhances her sensitivity and intuition.
Obsidian - is perfect to boost your personal self-esteem and confidence. Obsidian is a very protective stone and is excellent for blocking out and dissolving negative energies, thus protecting you against evil intentions.
Onyx - is believed to be a powerful protection stone that absorbs negative forces and influences and transforms them into positive ones. Onyx is also said to have been helpful to people who are trying to move on after a bad relationships or let go of past attachments.
Peridot - is a helpful stone used to 'open' the heart and let go of "old baggage" such as people or the past, and to assist one to admit mistakes and move on. Peridot is also reputed to be a great stone to alleviate jealousy, anger, resentment and spite.
Prehnite - is a stone of unconditional love and the crystal to heal the healer. Prehnite enhances precognition and inner knowing. It is a stone that enables you always to be prepared, no matter what.
Rhodochrosite - is a crystal that represents selfless love and compassion, excellent for the heart and relationships. It is also a helpful stone used to remove denial, lift depressed mood, promote positive attitude, self-worth and acknowledgement of painful feelings.
Rose Quartz - Widely known as the 'Love Stone', Rose Quartz is most favored for its ability in speeding up the process for those seeking true love, mending broken relationships and jazzing up your existing romance life.
Ruby - is a very energetic stone that imparts vigor to life, fires enthusiasm, encourages passion for life and motivates one in achieving goals. Like citrine, it is also a stone of abundance that has the power to help prevent financial losses
Rutilated Quartz - is said to be the most energizing and uplifiting stone with anti-depressive effect. Rutilated Quartz is believed to relieve loneliness, attract love and stabilize relationships. It is also used to bring new hope, relieve guilt, aid sleep, assist decision making and enhance creativity.
Sapphire - is known as the wisdom stone. Blue sapphire is traditionally associated with love and purity. It focuses and calms the mind and releases unwanted thoughts and mental tension. Place on the throat, sapphire releases frustration and facilitates self-expression.
Smoky quartz - is a good stone to overcome lethargy. It encourages concentration and pragmatism. It is also an excellent stone used to absorb electromagnetic smog (detectable electromagnetic field that can be very harmful to sensitive people).
Sodalite - is a stone that instills a drive for truth and an urge toward idealism, making it possible to remain true to yourself and stand up for your beliefs. Sodalite clears electromagnetic pollution and can be placed on computers to block their emanations
Tiger's Eye - gives out energy that encourages your passion for life to blossom and stimulates your willpower and the desire for success. Tiger's Eye also promotes self confidence, self esteem, integrity, positive outlook on life as well as arms you with strength, courage and determination.
Turquoise - gives you tranquility refreshment and pushes you through with resourcefulness and enhances communication. It creates self awareness and promotes foresight.
Turquoise is reputed to be responsible for faithfulness and reliable relationships.
Watermelon Tourmaline - is a crystal particularly effective in promoting self-love and opening one's heart up to accept love. It increases happiness, serenity, compassion, tolerance and understanding in its wearer.
Zoisite - is a crystal that has the ability to transmute negative energies into positive ones. It is also a helpful stone used to dispel lethargy and promote expression of repressed feelings and emotions. Mentally, Zoisite increases creativity and focus.
Our skin is exposed to hundreds of chemicals during the course of our life, and is affected by them. From innocent bath products such as shampoos, shower gels, lotions and soaps to deodorants. Household cleaning solvents, detergent residues on clothes and chemicals from the bath or shower water also affect the skin.
Regular use of the sauna gradually restores the skin's elimination ability. Sweating removes toxic chemicals and metals faster than other detox method. It is a good habit that pays many health dividends.
The sauna's benefits are numerous. Not least because it is so relaxing and leaves your body soothed and your mind serene. It's main advantage lies in the fact that it promotes sweating, helping the body to rid itself of toxins. It is also believed that exposure of the skin to heat stimulates the production of white blood cells and strengthens the immune system.
Other benefits of the sauna include:
The sauna enhances circulation and oxygenates the cells, tissues and organs. It increases the body's ability to produce energy, which promotes healing. At the same time, heating the tissues speeds up the metabolism. Your cells are gradually capable of eliminating toxins much more effectively.
Scientists discovered the importance of alpha-lipoic acid in the 1950s, and recognized it as an antioxidant in 1988. The body needs alpha-lipoic acid to produce energy. It plays a crucial role in the energy-producing structures in cells. The body actually makes enough alpha-lipoic acid for this basic function. Alpha-lipoic acid acts as an antioxidant, however, only when there is an excess of it and it is in the "free" state in the cells. There is little free alpha-lipoic acid circulating in your body, unless you consume supplements or get it injected. Alpha-lipoic acid is a versatile antioxidant—it helps deactivate an unusually wide array of cell-damaging free radicals in many bodily systems.
Claims, purported benefits: Alpha-lipoic acid is said to prevent or treat many age-related diseases, from heart disease, and stroke to diabetes and Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as declines in energy, muscle strength, brain function, and immunity. Alpha-lipoic acid is also being studied for HIV disease and multiple sclerosis.
While everything seems to be going up in price, Krystal Golds tries to help out consumers by deferring price increases. In our own little way, we hope to provide quality affordable wellness solutions to the general public.
PRICELIST
FOOT LEG TENSION RELEASE PROGRAM (65 MINS) – P 460
FOOT/BODY DETOXIFICATION (90 MINS) – P 1200
DI STRESSING
FOOT ACUDETOX (65 MINS) – P1200
LYMPHATIC DETOX (60 MINS) – P 198
HOLISTIC ENERGY HEALING SHIATSWE MASSAGE WITH BS – MAGARAO
ANTI-AGING FACIAL MASSAGE AND JADE KRYSTAL (60 MINS) – P 480
HEAD / HEART BLOOD BALANCER (30 MINS) – P 450
HAND ACU THERAPY (45 MINS) – P350
BODYWORX STIMULATION (30 MINS) – P 280
TOTAL PAIN MANAGEMENT (60 MINUTES) – P 1800
BODY DETOX (60 MINUTES) – P 1800
GALVANIC ANTI-AGING FACIAL – P 700
Nutritionists categorize vitamins by the materials that a vitamin will dissolve in. There are two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins, which include the B-complex group and vitamin C, travel through the bloodstream. Whatever water-soluble vitamins are not used by the body are eliminated in urine, which means you need a continuous supply of them in your food. Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin.
How Much Vitamin B1 Is Enough?
Women should have 1.1 milligrams every day, and men should have 1.5 milligrams every day.
Sources of Vitamin B1
The best sources of Vitamin B1 are yeasts and liver. The following foods are good sources of Vitamin B1:
Can You Have Too Much or Too Little?
It's pretty rare in the United States for a person to be deficient in this vitamin. A lack of it can cause beriberi, a condition that involves confusion, muscle wasting, nerve problems and a rapid heartbeat. It's usually only seen in the United States in babies who are fed formula that isn't supplemented with Vitamin B1 or in people who drink large amounts of alcohol. People who drink heavily should talk to their doctors about how to quit drinking and whether they need vitamin B1 supplements.
Vitamin Storage
If you want to get the most vitamins possible from your food, refrigerate fresh produce and keep milk and grains away from strong light. Vitamins are easily destroyed and washed out during food preparation and storage. If you take vitamin supplements, store them at room temperature in a dry place that's free of moisture.
Preliminary findings suggest that Sea Buckthorn (particularly extracts of the oil, juice, leaves and bark) may help improve a wide variety of health conditions, including heart disease, cholesterol balance, high blood pressure, stroke, gingivitis, eye diseases, immune function and red blood cell production after chemotherapy.
The fruit of the plant has a high vitamin C content - about 12 times greater than the amount found in oranges which makes it one of the most enriched plant sources of vitamin C. The fruit also contains dense contents of carotenoids, vitamin E, amino acids, dietary minerals, β-sitosterol and polyphenolic acids.
RESEARCH
There are five areas of research that have been focal points for their use: as an aid to patients undergoing cancer therapy; a long-term therapy for reduction of cardiovascular risk factors; treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers; internal and topical therapy for a variety of skin disorders; and as a liver protective agent (for chemical toxins) and a remedy for liver cirrhosis.
CANCER THERAPY
Most research in this area has been done with laboratory animals. A group in India has published several reports on the potential of a Sea Buckthorn extract to protect the bone marrow from damage due to radiation. Their studies also showed that the extract may help speed up recovery of bone marrow cells.
Protective effect of RH-3 with special reference to radiation induced micronuclei in mouse bone marrow
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 2002 May
A study conducted in China suggested faster recovery of the hemopoietic system after high doses chemotherapy in mice fed the Sea Buckthorn oil.
Study on the effects of the oil from Hippophae rhamnoides in hematopoiesis
Chinese Herbal Drugs 2003
Preliminary laboratory studies have also found that the seed oil enhances non-specific immunity and provides anti-tumor effects.
Effects of Hippophae rhamnoides juice on immunologic and antitumor functions
1993 Acta Nutrimenta SinicaEffects of the total flavonoid of Hippophae rhamnoides on nonspecific immunity in animals
Shanxi Medical Journal 1989
More well-designed clinical studies with Sea Buckthorn are needed to determine its effectiveness on cancer patients in humans.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
In a double-blind clinical trial conducted in China, 128 patients with ischemic heart disease, patients showed a decrease in cholesterol levels and improved cardiac function with less angina than those receiving the control drug. The study indicated no harmful effect in renal or hepatic functions.
Treatment of ischemic heart diseases with flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides,
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 1987
Sea Buckthorn oil may result in reduced stress of cardiac muscle tissue by regulation of inflammatory mediators.
The inhibitory effect of total flavonoids of hippophae on the activation of NF-kappa ß by stretching cultured cardiac myocytes
Sichuan University Medical Journal 2003
In a laboratory animal study, the flavonoids of Sea Buckthorn were shown to reduce the production of pathogenic thrombosis in mice.
Inhibitory effects of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides on thrombosis in mouse femoral artery and in vitro platelet aggregation
Life Sciences 2003
Formulas containing Sea Buckthorn have been developed recently for treating cardiac disorders. One such formula is a liquid preparation of Sea Buckthorn flavonoids with carthamus (safflower) and licorice, called Ai Xin Bao which is intended for use in treatment of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, by improving blood circulation and restoring cardiac function.
GASTRIC ULCERS
Laboratory studies suggest that Sea Buckthorn is effective in the treatment of gastric ulcers. It is believed that it normalizes output of gastric acid and reduces inflammation by controlling pro-inflammatory mediators.
Antiulcerogenic effect of Hippophae rhamnoides
Phytother Res. 2001 Nov
Effects of Sea Buckthorn seed and pulp oils on experimental models of gastric ulcer in rats
Fitoterapia 2002
LIVER CIRRHOSIS
In one clinical trial, researchers found that that Sea Buckthorn extracts helped normalize liver enzymes, serum bile acids, and immune system markers involved in liver inflammation and degeneration. In other studies, Sea Buckthorn oil was shown to protect the liver from damaging effects of toxic chemicals.
Effect of Sea Buckthorn on liver fibrosis: a clinical study
World Journal of Gastroenterology 2003
Acute toxicity of flesh oil of Hippophae rhamnoides and its protection against experimental hepatic injury
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1990
CONCLUSION
There is a vast amount of experimental data confirming the important properties of Sea Buckthorn. It has the potential to play an important role in human health, but the studies are from from conclusive, and much more research on humans will be required. With such exceptional nutrient density, Sea Buckthorn is sure to be a focus of intense research and product development for years to come.
Wild Reishi is scarce and suffers from adverse environmental conditions such as insect infestation, lack of proper nutrients, non-optimum temperatures, and lack of humidity. The timing of the harvest cannot be controlled, and the mature Reishi has already lost most of its digestible active ingredients. The active ingredients in the dried mushroom may also have lost much of their beneficial biological activity. The 6 different types of Reishi (differentiated by color: red, purple, blue, yellow, black, white) recorded in Chinese pharmacopoeia are actually one species grown under different conditions. In 1972, a Japanese researcher who pioneered the growing of Reishi demonstrated that by varying the conditions of growth, Reishi of 6 different colors can be grown from the same species.
Reishi are polypore mushrooms. Mushrooms are the fruiting body and reproductive structure of a higher order fungus organism, much like an orange is the fruit of an orange tree. The actual mushroom organism or “”tree”" is a fine thread-like network called mycelium. This mycelium is for the most part subterranean, living in soil, logs and other organic litter.
Unlike green plants, which produce many of their own nutrients by photosynthesis, mushrooms primarily source their nutrients from dead organic matter or soil. Mushrooms and their mycelium are nature’s original recyclers. Without them, the Earths’ surface would be piled high with dead, decaying material. Mushrooms rise out of the mycelium when the right nutrients are amassed and the right environmental conditions are present. Mushrooms release spores at maturity. The wind spreads them and when they land in suitable locations, the cycle recommences.
Numerous studies of Reishi mainly in China, Korea, Japan and the United States show effectiveness of Reishi for a very wide range of diseases and symptoms. But the studies have not given indisputable explanation on its healing mechanism because none of its presumed and known active components taken alone have given better results as a whole than the intake of Reishi itself.
Its effectiveness applies to many areas so it is difficult to classify each of them and conduct research in each field. It is perhaps more comprehensible at this time, to explain Reishi’s “”miraculous powers”" from the Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view.
In the West, we have separated and classified each disease meticulously, and have specialized in each of them to such a degree that it seems today as if each disease is autonomous and standing alone.
Oriental Medicine, resulting from knowledge accumulated through 4000 years of human observation, asserts that health can be maintained by sustaining the right balance within the body and that diseases can be cured by restoring this balance through nutrition, including medicinal herbs, exercise and mental peace. In other words, a disease is believed to be the tip of an iceberg, the result of the underlying imbalance of the body which must be restored.
The 2000 years old medicinal book “”Seng Nong’s Herbal Classic”", considered today as the oldest book on oriental herbal medicine, classifies 365 species of roots of grass, woods, furs, animals and stones separates herbal medicines into 3 categories. The first category, called superior, includes herbs effective for multiple diseases and mostly responsible for maintaining and restoring the body balance. They have no unfavorable side effects. The second category, middle, comprises tonics and boosters and their consumption must not be prolonged. The third category, low, must be taken usually in small dosages and for specific ailments. This category includes some poisonous herbs. Reishi, ranked number one of the superior medicines, was the most exalted medicine in ancient times.
All observations show that Reishi has no side effects and can be consumed in high dosages and in parallel with other medications. Its main properties are the cleansing of blood, enhancement of the immune system and the lessening of nervous tension. These properties are conducive to normalizing and balancing the body and as a result preempt cure a multitude of diseases from within.
-boosts the immune system and fight infections associated with colds
-relieves muscle spasms and menstrual cramps in women
-relaxes the nerves
-soothes the stomach
-reduces inflammation
-improves liver function
-helps relieve back pain
-helps relieve rheumatism
Health Benefits of Ginger
-relieves nausea
-combats motion sickness
-helps digestive processes
-combats inflammation
-reduces dizziness
-limits flatulence
-controls chronic pain
-eases the pain of muscle aches and rheumatoid arthritis
-minimizes symptoms of the common cold, allergies, and other respiratory conditions
What could P300 get us nowadays? Load for our prepaid phone? Two burger meals for you and your partner? Well not much. But at Krystal Wellness we aim to introduce products which are value for money. We want our products to be the best they could be at a price everyone could afford.
IngredientsSeparate and wash the cabbage leaves.
Sprinkle them with the 2 tbsp of salt.
Place them in a non corrosive dish (Pyrex) and pour in the 4 cups cold water, cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge over night.
The water should cover the leaves if not place a heavy object on them to keep them submerged.
After sitting overnight pour off the water and rinse the leaves well, shake out excess moisture. ( I used my lettuce dryer to remove the extra moisture).
Mix the garlic, ginger, green onion,chili flakes,sugar & 1 tbsp salt, stir together.
Pour 11/2 cups of very hot water over the mixed seasoning.
Place cabbage leaves in a large zip lock bag or in a bowl, pour in the seasoning, mix well so the seasoning is on every leaf.
Place in the fridge for two days. Flip the bag every time you open the fridge door.
To serve cut the leaves into 2" strips and serve as a side condiment.
To store pack the cabbage into a jar and store in the fridge it will keep for several days to a week or more.
| GRANOLA BARS | |
1/2 c. soft butter 3/4 c. brown sugar 1/3 c. corn syrup 1 egg 1/2 tsp. vanilla 3 1/2 c. quick oatmeal 1 c. chocolate chips Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan. Beat butter, sugar, and syrup until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Add and mix oats and chips. Press firmly into pan. Bake 20 to 23 minutes. Cool a couple hours. Cut. | |
When broth has cooled, skim excess fat off the top. Measure 6 cups into a separate bowl; set aside. Dice chicken breast and transfer about 2 1/2 to 3 cups to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate. Refrigerate remaining chicken for another use, such as a casserole or chicken salad for sandwiches.
In a large saucepan or the same stockpot, cleaned, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat. Add minced shallot, diced celery, and diced carrot. Sauté for about 6 minutes. Add green onion and sauté for 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until well blended. Add the 6 cups reserved chicken broth. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add peas and chicken; continue cooking for about 5 minutes longer. Stir in the heavy cream. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. Serves 8.
Health benefits of pineapples One of the most important enzymes in pineapples is bromelain and it is bromelain that holds the key to many of the pineapple's health benefits. Fresh pineapple is full of these sulphur-containing, protein-digesting compounds so, what can they do for you?
Bromelain has been found to be a useful anti-inflammatory, effective in reducing swelling and assisting in the treatment of conditions such as acute sinusitis, sore throat, arthritis and gout. For increased effectiveness, pineapple should be eaten between meals without other food. This is because of another of bromelaid's properties, that as an aid to digestion. If eaten with other food, bromelaid's health benefits will be taken up in helping to digest the other food.
Pineapple is high in anti-oxidants
A very good source of vitamin C, pineapple offers your body an excellent protection against free-radicals, substances that attack healthy cells. A build up of free-radicals can lead to atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, an increase in asthma attacks and an increased risk of developing certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Free-radicals have also been shown to accentuate the problems associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin C, your body's most important water-soluble anti-oxidant has proven itself invaluable in fighting against and aiding treatment for these conditions.
Vitamin C is, of course, also an excellent cold and flu fighter due to its importance to the proper functioning of the immune system.
Manganese
Pineapple is also an excellent source of manganese, a mineral essential in some of the enzymes necessary in the body for energy production. It also has very good amounts of thiamine (vitamin B1) which is also important in these energy producing enzymes.
Macular degeneration
Pineapple and other fruit has been shown to be important in maintaining good eye health, helping to protect against age-related eye problems. Three serves of fruit a day, in particular those high in anti-oxidants, has been shown to lower your risk of developing this potentially debilitating condition.
Pineapple stems
There are even some beneficial molecules hidden in the stems of pineapples, Australian research has found. These molecules have been seen to act as a defence against certain types of cancer. The types of cancer benefited by these molecules are ovarian, breast, lung, colon and skin cancer.
The human body, which is made up of between 55 and 75 percent water (lean people have more water in their bodies because muscle holds more water than fat), is in need of constant water replenishment.
Your lungs expel between two and four cups of water each day through normal breathing - even more on a cold day. If your feet sweat, there goes another cup of water. If you make half a dozen trips to the bathroom during the day, that's six cups of water. If you perspire, you expel about two cups of water (which doesn't include exercise-induced perspiration).
A person would have to lose 10 percent of her body weight in fluids to be considered dehydrated, but as little as two percent can affect athletic performance, cause tiredness and dull critical thinking abilities. Adequate water consumption can help lessen the chance of kidney stones, keep joints lubricated, prevent and lessen the severity of colds and flu and help prevent constipation.
Health benefits of water
Water is crucial to your health. It makes up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water.
Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry on normal functions. Even mild dehydration - as little as a 1 percent to 2 percent loss of your body weight - can sap your energy and make you tired. Dehydration poses a particular health risk for the very young and the very old. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
How much water do you need?
Every day you lose water through sweating - noticeable and unnoticeable - exhaling, urinating and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you need to replace this water by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. So how much water, or more precisely fluid, do you need?
This isn't an easy question to answer. A healthy adult's daily fluid intake can vary widely. Most people drink fluid to quench thirst, to supply perceived water needs and "out of habit." At least three approaches estimate total fluid (water) needs for healthy, sedentary adults living in a temperate climate.
You can choose any of these fluid intake approaches to gauge your fluid needs. But your current total fluid intake is probably OK if you drink enough water to quench your thirst, produce a colorless or slightly yellow normal amount of urine, and feel well.
Factors that influence water needs
You may need to modify total fluid intake from these recommended amounts depending on several factors, including how active you are, the climate, your health status, and if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Beyond the tap: Many sources of water
You don't need to sip from your water bottle all day to satisfy your fluid needs. Your diet, including the beverages you drink, can provide a large portion of what you need. In an average adult diet, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake. The remaining 80 percent comes from beverages of all kinds.
Fruits and vegetables - besides being good sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber - contain lots of water. For example, oranges are 87 percent water, and cucumbers are 95 percent water. Milk, juice and other beverages also have large amounts of water. Conversely, dried fruits, nuts, grain products and baked goods generally contain less water.
Make it count: Meet your water needs through food and beverages
Alcohol - such as beer and wine - and caffeinated beverages - such as coffee, tea or soda - can contribute to your total fluid intake. But your best beverage is still water. Water is calorie-free, inexpensive when drawn from a faucet or fountain, and readily available in and out of your home.
Thirst not always a reliable gauge
If you're healthy and not in any dehydrating conditions, you can generally use your thirst as an indicator of when to drink water. But thirst isn't always an adequate gauge of your body's need for fluid replenishment. The older you are, the less you're able to sense that you're thirsty. And during vigorous exercise, an important amount of your fluid reserves may be lost before you feel thirsty. So make sure that you're sufficiently hydrated before, during and after exercise.
Increased thirst and increased urination, both in volume and frequency, can be signs and symptoms of diabetes. With diabetes, excess blood sugar (glucose) in your body draws water from your tissues, making you feel dehydrated. To quench your thirst, you drink a lot of water and other beverages and that leads to more frequent urination. If you notice unexplained increases in your thirst and urination, see your doctor. It may not necessarily mean you have diabetes. It could be something else. And some people consume large amounts of water and experience increased urine output not associated with any underlying disease.
