Long a symbol of longevity in Asia because of their health-promoting properties, shiitake mushrooms have been used medicinally by the Chinese for more than 6,000 years. More recently, their rich, smoky flavor has endeared them to American taste buds. These exotic hearty mushrooms can now be found in supermarket shelves throughout the year.

COOL CLEAR WATER

Most people do not drink enough water.
The bodies water balance mechanism then causes the body to retain water. In this state of drought, thirst no longer acts as a cue to how much water we should be drinking. It is a fact that people who drink the least are the least thirsty. A dehydrated body is not healthy. Water carries the electrolytes sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorous, necessary for the proper muscle function. Dehydrated, the muscles loose tone and the body feels fatigued.
Constipation and the many diseases and conditions which result from poor digestion occur less often when the body is well hydrated. It is a matter of body economics. Without enough water the body has to borrow water from the colon.
Enough water intake is important in the reduction of excess fat. The Kidneys require sufficient water to optimally process body toxins.....

Without sufficient water, the liver has to assist the kidneys in this task. In the economy of organ functions, the liver now becomes less effective in metabolizing body fat into energy. Weight loss stops and may even indeed put on weight. The increased weight is fat not being metabolized, and water. So the person will have a bloated and kind of "day after the night before" puffiness around the eyes.
Again the paradox, to get rid of water retention, drink water regularly..Sweating is the body's way of regulating the core temperature. In a state of dehydration, the water retention mechanism supersedes the sweating mechanism instead of working with it. The body overheats, without optimal heat regulation and all our activity is affected.

WHAT TO DO
Remember, the water balance does not look after itself. We have to restore natural thirst as the reliable signal for our water need. Start to drink more water and the body will no longer need to retain it. Drink more water and you wil start to become thirsty again. Only when the water is being properly flushed through the system does the thirst again tell you when to drink. Until then there is nothing elce to do but to count the glasses.

HOW MUCH WATER?
Even 10 glasses each day. Oh come now! Yes! But what about coffee, tea, fruit juice, or for that matter wine or beer? No! Those all contain water but are solutions which are different to plain water. Some as we know are actually harmfull, moreover, in excess, any of these drinks have the effect of reducing ones natural taste for plain water.
Make a note of how much water you drink in a normal day. Add one more glass every two days until you reach 10 glasses a day. Remember you are more likely to be in a dehydrated water retention state living here in the Algarve. Consider the odds. You cannot just turn on the tap and drink the water. You have to take out your wallet and buy it just the same as any other drink. The wine and beer are very good, and not much more expensive, and maybe you are on holiday. Maybe there is more swimming or tennis, golf- total activity- requiring more water than you are used to drinking.
Or perhaps you are just lazing in the sun.The sun is hot but there is a lovely breeze- you are not aware of how much you are sweating.
You cannot pass a news stand nowadays without seeing several magazines on diet. People are chasing less processed food, less animal fat and are all together more diet conscious.Water is the basis- the good starting point-of good nutrition.
Remember the paradox- if you seldom feel thirst you are probably dehydrated-if you have a natural periodic thirst you are in balance.
Joseph Jakob. Tom Faulkner. Algarve.Portugal.

MAGNESIUM IS MAJOR !

Did you know that in Chinese Medicine, Magnesium is known as the 'Beautiful Mineral' and it is implicated in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body?

Did you know that recently the EU authorised and passed these claims for Magnesium..