Look, I used to think natural diuretics were just fancy herbal teas that made you pee more. Turns out I was completely wrong, and what I discovered actually changed how I think about my body’s relationship with water. While everyone’s talking about these being gentler alternatives to pharmaceutical water pills, recent research reveals that one study of 28 women found a significant increase in urine after drinking 8 mL of liquid leaf extract from Diet vs Disease. We’re talking about real, measurable changes in how your body handles fluids – not just wishful thinking.
Table of Contents
- The Real Story Behind Natural Water Management
- Your Body’s Hidden Fluid Control Network
- Timing Your Natural Diuretic Strategy Like a Pro
- The Metabolic Connection You’re Missing
- Creating Your Personal Natural Diuretic Blueprint
- Final Thoughts
TL;DR
- Natural diuretics work through your body’s smart internal systems, not just forcing water out
- Your body has a built-in water management system that responds way better to natural stuff than synthetic alternatives
- Timing matters big time – your kidneys basically run on a schedule based on your hormones
- Many natural diuretics pull double duty, helping with both water balance and fat burning
- Cookie-cutter approaches don’t work – you need to figure out what works for YOUR body
- How you prepare these things and what you combine them with can make or break your results
The Real Story Behind Natural Water Management
Here’s the deal – most people think natural diuretics are just gentler versions of water pills, but that’s completely missing the point. What I’ve discovered is that natural compounds actually work through your body’s smart internal systems to create sustainable hydration balance instead of just forcing your body to dump water. This approach focuses on helping your cells manage fluid better through multiple pathways at once, which is way more sophisticated than pharmaceutical alternatives that often mess up your body’s delicate mineral balance.
Understanding how natural compounds work at the cellular level requires looking at personalized medicine approaches that consider how your individual genetic makeup affects metabolism and response patterns. When you start looking at natural diuretics through this lens, everything changes. We’re talking about compounds that can influence specific cellular mechanisms while actually supporting your body’s existing systems.
The difference becomes clear when you realize that a natural diuretic doesn’t just force water out – it helps your cells manage fluid better in the first place. Your kidneys, lymphatic system, and cell membranes all have built-in intelligence that responds beautifully to natural compounds when you know how to work with them.
Your Body’s Built-In Water Management System Actually Runs the Show
Your body operates this incredibly smart network of sensors and regulators that natural diuretics can influence through multiple pathways at once. This creates a much more sophisticated approach to fluid management than synthetic alternatives. Understanding this network helps explain why natural options often work better long-term – they’re working WITH your body’s existing systems instead of bulldozing through them.
I’ve spent way too much time researching how these sensors function, and what I’ve found is honestly fascinating. Your body has thousands of these microscopic monitoring stations throughout your tissues, constantly measuring fluid levels and adjusting accordingly. Natural diuretics can communicate with these sensors in ways that synthetic drugs simply can’t replicate.
How Natural Compounds Hack Your Body’s Water Gates
Natural compounds like hibiscus and green tea can actually influence specific water channels in your kidney cells – think of them as your kidney’s water gates. This allows for precise control over water reabsorption without messing up your essential electrolyte balance, which is something synthetic diuretics often struggle with.
According to research from Diet vs Disease, one study found an increase in overall urine of 200mL after subjects were given 3 grams of the fruit in liquid form when studying Tribulus terrestris. These results show us that we’re dealing with real, measurable changes when we use the right natural compounds – not just placebo effects.
These water gates are essentially your kidney’s volume control system. When a natural diuretic influences these channels, it’s giving your kidneys better information about what your body actually needs, rather than forcing a predetermined response.
Your Body’s Natural “Flush Out the Salt” System Gets a Boost
Certain plant compounds can actually mimic your body’s own natural “flush out the salt” signals, which trigger gentle sodium removal while keeping your potassium and magnesium levels intact. This happens through selective transport mechanisms that work much more intelligently than forcing everything out at once.
My friend Sarah, a 34-year-old marketing executive, was struggling with that awful afternoon bloat – you know, where your pants fit fine in the morning but by 3 PM you look pregnant? Instead of popping over-the-counter diuretics like candy, she tried this simple routine: dandelion leaf tea in the morning (which is loaded with potassium) paired with parsley-infused water in the afternoon. Within two weeks, she noticed way less bloating without the energy crashes or muscle cramps she’d gotten from synthetic alternatives. Her approach worked because dandelion naturally helps your body hold onto potassium while gently encouraging sodium removal.
What makes natural diuretics so effective here is their ability to be selective. Your body naturally produces these “flush out the salt” signals when it detects excess sodium, and certain plants contain compounds that can enhance this natural process without disrupting other essential minerals.
The Behind-the-Scenes Process Nobody Talks About
Natural diuretics often work by fine-tuning the production of local hormones that control kidney function and blood vessel dilation. This creates the effect you want without the harsh side effects that come with synthetic alternatives – it’s like having a volume knob instead of an on/off switch.
These local hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, and they play a huge role in how your kidneys respond to different situations. When natural diuretics influence their production, they’re essentially giving your kidneys better real-time instructions about how to handle fluid balance.
The Lymphatic Connection That Changes Everything
Here’s what most people miss – natural diuretics can simultaneously support your lymphatic drainage while helping your kidney function. This creates a dual-pathway approach to fluid management that addresses the root cause of fluid retention instead of just treating symptoms. Most people don’t realize their lymphatic system plays a huge role in fluid balance.
Recent research highlighted by Only My Health points out that “cucumbers are approximately 95% water and include caffeic acid and silica, substances that increase the elimination of fluids and decrease swelling by aiding connective tissues,” showing how natural compounds support both lymphatic and kidney fluid management pathways at the same time.
The lymphatic system’s role in fluid balance connects directly to improving lymphatic drainage through targeted natural approaches that support both detoxification and cellular energy production. When your lymphatic system works well, it takes pressure off your kidneys and creates more sustainable fluid balance.
I’ve found that people who focus solely on kidney function miss about half the picture. Your lymphatic system is essentially your body’s drainage network, and when it’s sluggish, no amount of kidney stimulation will give you the results you’re looking for.
Strengthening Your Body’s Drainage Infrastructure
Compounds like horse chestnut and butcher’s broom contain natural substances that actually strengthen lymphatic vessel walls and improve how well your lymphatic pump works. This addresses fluid retention at its source rather than just forcing water out through your kidneys – it’s like fixing the underlying plumbing issue instead of just turning up the water pressure.
Your lymphatic system doesn’t have a central pump like your heart does. Instead, it relies on muscle contractions and one-way valves to move fluid around. When natural diuretics strengthen these vessel walls and improve valve function, they’re essentially upgrading your body’s drainage infrastructure.
The Fluid Exchange Game-Changer
Natural diuretics can influence the protective coating on your blood vessels, improving the exchange between blood and the fluid around your cells while preventing problematic fluid buildup. This is where the magic happens – better fluid exchange means less unwanted retention without depleting your body’s necessary water reserves.
The space around your cells is where most problematic fluid retention actually occurs. When the exchange between your blood vessels and this space becomes inefficient, you end up with that puffy, bloated feeling that no amount of water restriction seems to fix. Natural diuretics that target this mechanism address the problem where it actually starts.
Timing Your Natural Diuretic Strategy Like a Pro
Here’s what nobody told me about timing – and why I was doing everything wrong for months. Natural diuretics work best when you align them with your body’s natural daily rhythms. Your kidney function, hormone production, and cellular water transport all follow predictable daily cycles that you can use to your advantage. Getting the timing right can make the difference between mediocre results and actually feeling and looking dramatically better.
I’ve experimented extensively with timing protocols, and the results are honestly pretty remarkable when you get it right. Your body isn’t the same machine at 7 AM that it is at 7 PM – different hormones are active, different processes are prioritized, and your natural diuretic needs change accordingly.
Why Your Kidneys Run on a Schedule
The timing of when you take natural diuretics can dramatically impact how well they work because your kidneys process fluids differently throughout the day. This is based on natural fluctuations in stress hormones, salt-regulating hormones, and water-retention hormones. Understanding these patterns lets you work with your body’s natural rhythms instead of fighting against them.
Your kidneys are essentially on a schedule, and when you understand that schedule, you can time your natural diuretics for maximum impact. Research on chronotherapy shows us that the same compound can have vastly different effects depending on when you consume it.
| Time Window | What Works Best | How It Works | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-8 AM | Dandelion root tea, Nettle leaf | Works with your natural morning energy boost | Maximum results, sustained energy |
| 10 AM-12 PM | Green tea, Parsley water | Caffeine + hormone regulation | Gentle fluid reduction, mental clarity |
| 2-4 PM | Cucumber water, Watermelon juice | Natural hydration balance | Prevents afternoon bloat |
| 6-8 PM | Hibiscus tea, Fennel tea | Evening hormone optimization | Overnight fluid balance |
The Morning Sweet Spot (6-10 AM)
This is when your natural wake-up hormones peak, making it the perfect time for stimulating diuretics like dandelion root or nettle leaf. They work together with your body’s natural awakening processes, giving you the most bang for your buck. Here’s how to nail the timing: drink your natural diuretic 30 minutes before breakfast, pair it with 16-20 oz of filtered water to support the process, and check your urine color to make sure you’re staying hydrated.
Research from Diet vs Disease shows that one study found significant elimination of urine in subjects that were given parsley extract compared to those who just drank water, highlighting how morning timing can amplify the effectiveness of natural compounds when your wake-up hormones are naturally elevated.
Your morning hormone peak is your body’s natural wake-up call, and it primes your kidneys for increased activity. When you introduce natural diuretic compounds during this window, you’re essentially amplifying a process that’s already happening.
The Afternoon Maintenance Window (2-6 PM)
During this period, gentler diuretics like cucumber extract or watermelon seed tea can support sustained fluid balance without interfering with your evening recovery processes. This is about maintaining the momentum from your morning protocol without overdoing it when your body starts preparing for rest and recovery.
The afternoon window requires a different approach because your hormone profile has shifted. You want to maintain the benefits from your morning protocol without creating evening disruption or messing with your body’s natural preparation for sleep.
Working With Your Hormonal Ups and Downs
Natural diuretics can be strategically used to work with rather than against your body’s hormonal fluctuations. This is especially important for women dealing with cyclical water retention, but everyone can benefit from understanding how their hormones affect fluid balance throughout the day and month.
Understanding hormonal fluctuations becomes even more critical when addressing female hormonal health and how natural compounds can support balanced fluid regulation throughout different life stages. Hormones are essentially your body’s chemical messengers, and they have a massive impact on how your cells handle water.
Mastering Your Salt-Regulating Hormone Timing
Understanding when your salt-regulating hormones naturally fluctuate allows for precise timing of potassium-sparing natural diuretics like hibiscus tea. This maximizes effectiveness while maintaining mineral balance – you get the fluid reduction without the cramping or fatigue that comes from electrolyte depletion.
Your salt-regulating hormone follows a predictable daily pattern. When you time your natural diuretics to work with these fluctuations rather than against them, you can get better results with lower doses and fewer side effects.
Finding Your Water-Retention Hormone Sweet Spots
Your water-retention hormone levels change throughout the day, creating specific windows where natural diuretics can work more effectively without causing excessive dehydration. Learning to identify these windows for your body can dramatically improve results while keeping you feeling energized and balanced.
Natural Diuretic Timing Checklist:
- ☐ Wake up and check hydration status (pee color check)
- ☐ Drink your primary natural diuretic 30 minutes before breakfast
- ☐ Monitor energy levels and adjust afternoon protocol accordingly
- ☐ Track evening fluid intake to prevent overnight disruption
- ☐ Record weekly patterns to identify your optimal personal timing
- ☐ Adjust for hormonal cycles (especially important for women)
The Metabolic Connection You’re Missing
Here’s where things get really interesting – the most sophisticated approach to natural diuretics involves understanding how they integrate with your overall metabolic processes. This includes fat metabolism, detoxification pathways, and cellular energy production, creating compound benefits that go way beyond simple fluid reduction. When you understand these connections, you can create protocols that improve multiple aspects of your health at the same time.
I’ve discovered that the people who get the best results from natural diuretics are those who understand this metabolic integration. They’re not just trying to lose water weight – they’re optimizing their entire metabolic system for better performance and body composition.
The Fat-Burning Bonus Most People Ignore
Many natural diuretics pull double duty, simultaneously supporting fat metabolism while managing fluid retention. This creates a synergistic effect that addresses multiple aspects of body composition at once. Instead of just losing water weight, you’re actually supporting your body’s ability to burn fat more effectively while managing fluid balance.
According to recent findings from Only My Health, “watermelon maintains healthy kidneys and increases blood circulation, making it a natural, hydrating diuretic” while also containing “an amino acid named citrulline” that supports metabolic function, demonstrating how natural diuretics can simultaneously address fluid balance and metabolic enhancement.
The metabolic benefits often surprise people because they’re expecting simple water loss. Instead, they find themselves with better energy, improved body composition, and enhanced overall performance. This happens because many natural diuretics support cellular energy production while optimizing fluid balance.
Activating Your Fat-Burning Tissue for Better Results
Green tea compounds and other natural diuretic substances can stimulate metabolically active fat tissue, increasing your metabolic rate while supporting fluid balance through improved circulation. This is getting two benefits in one – better fluid management and enhanced fat burning capacity.
My buddy Mark, a 42-year-old software developer, combined green tea consumption (3 cups daily) with cold exposure therapy and noticed not only reduced morning puffiness but also a 15% increase in his resting metabolic rate over 8 weeks. The green tea’s active compounds supported both his natural diuretic needs and fat-burning tissue activation, creating a compound effect that enhanced his overall body composition beyond simple water loss.
Fat-burning tissue is metabolically active and burns calories to generate heat. When natural diuretics support this tissue activation, you’re essentially upgrading your body’s metabolic engine while addressing fluid balance issues.
Your Liver’s Role in Fluid Retention
Natural diuretics like milk thistle and artichoke extract support liver function, improving your body’s ability to process and eliminate metabolic waste products that can contribute to fluid retention. When your liver works better, everything else works better – including your body’s natural fluid regulation systems.
Your liver processes over 500 different functions, and many people don’t realize how much liver congestion contributes to fluid retention. When your liver can’t efficiently process toxins and metabolic waste, your body often responds by retaining extra fluid to dilute these substances.
Getting Your Cellular Energy Right for Better Fluid Balance
Advanced natural diuretic protocols focus on improving cellular energy production because proper energy function is essential for maintaining optimal fluid balance at the cellular level. When your cells have the energy they need, they can properly regulate their water content and contribute to overall fluid balance.
The connection between cellular energy and fluid balance becomes clearer when you understand how mitochondrial health directly impacts your body’s ability to maintain proper hydration at the cellular level. Every cell in your body requires energy to maintain its fluid balance, and when that energy production is compromised, fluid regulation suffers.
The Cellular Power Plant Water Connection
Compounds like CoQ10-rich foods and other natural sources can improve how your cellular power plants handle water, optimizing cellular hydration while supporting natural diuretic processes. Here’s how to implement this: combine natural diuretics with energy-supporting nutrients, time consumption around physical activity for better cellular uptake, and monitor energy levels alongside fluid balance changes.
Research shows that a 2014 study showed a significant diuretic effect in mice from liquid fennel extract at a dose of 500mg per kilogram. The urine elimination was double that of the control group according to Diet vs Disease, demonstrating how natural compounds can dramatically enhance cellular fluid processing when properly utilized.
Your cellular power plants require specific water channels to function optimally. When these channels work efficiently, your cells can maintain proper hydration while supporting the energy production needed for optimal metabolism.
Creating Your Personal Natural Diuretic Blueprint
Look, this isn’t going to work overnight, and anyone who tells you it will is probably selling something. The future of natural diuretic use lies in personalized protocols based on your individual biomarkers, genetic variations, and real-time data about how your body responds. Moving beyond cookie-cutter approaches allows you to create truly customized fluid management strategies that work specifically for your body’s unique needs and responses.
Are there natural diuretics that work better for your specific genetic makeup? Absolutely. The key is understanding your individual variations and tailoring your approach accordingly. I’ve seen people struggle for months with generic protocols only to find dramatic success once they personalized their natural diuretic strategy.
Understanding Your Genetic Blueprint
Individual variations in genes controlling water transport, sodium sensitivity, and herb metabolism significantly impact how different people respond to natural diuretics. This requires personalized approaches for optimal results – what works amazingly for your friend might do nothing for you, and that’s completely normal.
The role of genetics in determining your response to natural compounds highlights why personalized healthcare approaches are essential for optimizing natural diuretic protocols based on individual metabolic variations. Your DNA contains the instruction manual for how your body processes these compounds.
Your Processing Speed Matters
Genetic differences in liver enzymes affect how quickly your body processes natural diuretic compounds, influencing both effectiveness and optimal dosing strategies. Some people are fast processors who need higher doses or more frequent dosing, while others are slow processors who need to be more conservative.
These enzyme variations can mean the difference between needing one cup of dandelion tea versus three cups to achieve the same effect. Understanding your processor status prevents both underdosing and potential side effects from overdosing.
Your Salt Sensitivity Genes Predict Your Response
Variations in sodium channel genes can predict which individuals will respond better to potassium-sparing versus sodium-depleting natural diuretics. Understanding your genetic predisposition can save you months of trial and error in finding what works best for your body.
| Genetic Type | What Works Best | How Much to Take | How Long to Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Processor | Dandelion, Green tea, Parsley | Higher doses, 2-3x daily | 3-5 days |
| Slow Processor | Hibiscus, Fennel, Cucumber water | Lower doses, 1x daily | 7-10 days |
| Salt-Sensitive | Potassium-rich options (Dandelion, Watermelon) | Morning focus, watch electrolytes | 5-7 days |
| Potassium-Sensitive | Gentle options (Cucumber, Lemon water) | Afternoon timing, add minerals | 10-14 days |
Real-Time Optimization Using Modern Technology
Using wearable technology and regular testing allows you to create dynamic natural diuretic protocols that adjust based on your body’s changing needs and responses. This takes the guesswork out of the equation and lets you make data-driven decisions about your health.
Modern technology has revolutionized how we can track and optimize natural diuretic protocols. Instead of relying on how you feel (which can be misleading), you can now measure objective changes in hydration status, cellular water distribution, and metabolic markers.
Advanced Hydration Monitoring
Advanced hydration monitoring through urine testing, body composition scanning, and heart rate variability can guide precise adjustments to natural diuretic protocols. Here’s your game plan: establish baseline measurements using multiple hydration markers, track daily variations in response to different natural diuretic protocols, adjust timing, dosage, and compound selection based on data trends, and integrate with sleep quality and stress markers for comprehensive optimization.
The beauty of this approach is that you can see exactly how your body responds to different natural diuretics in real-time. No more guessing whether something is working or wondering if you should adjust your protocol.
Body Composition Scanning for Precision Timing
Using body composition analysis helps determine optimal natural diuretic timing and intensity because cellular water distribution patterns reveal when intervention will be most effective without depleting cellular hydration. The steps are: take baseline measurements at consistent times daily, identify patterns in water distribution ratios, time natural diuretic consumption during periods of elevated fluid retention, and track changes to ensure cellular membrane integrity is maintained.
The Nutrient Combination Game Plan
Natural diuretics work most effectively when combined with specific nutrients that support their mechanisms while preventing depletion of essential minerals and vitamins. This is where many people go wrong – they focus only on the diuretic effect without supporting their body’s overall nutritional needs.
The synergy between natural diuretics and supporting nutrients can amplify benefits while preventing the mineral depletion that often occurs with pharmaceutical alternatives. Natural diuretics work best when your body has all the building blocks it needs to process them effectively.
Protecting Your Electrolyte Balance
Strategic pairing of natural diuretics with specific minerals ensures therapeutic fluid reduction without compromising cellular function or creating dangerous electrolyte imbalances. Your protocol should include: pairing sodium-depleting diuretics (like hibiscus) with potassium-rich foods, combining potassium-sparing options (like dandelion) with magnesium supplementation, including trace minerals (zinc, selenium) to support enzyme systems involved in fluid regulation, and monitoring serum electrolyte levels monthly when using intensive protocols.
The importance of electrolyte balance becomes even more critical when considering magnesium supplementation as a foundational support for natural diuretic protocols and overall cellular function. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, many of which directly impact fluid balance.
My friend Jennifer, a 29-year-old fitness instructor, created a comprehensive electrolyte protection protocol by pairing her morning dandelion tea with a banana and handful of pumpkin seeds (magnesium), her afternoon cucumber water with a pinch of sea salt, and her evening hibiscus tea with coconut water. This approach allowed her to maintain consistent natural diuretic benefits while avoiding the muscle cramps and fatigue she’d experienced when using natural diuretics alone.
Supporting Your Body’s Processing Pathways
Many natural diuretics require proper processing pathways for optimal metabolism, making B-vitamin status crucial for their effectiveness and safety profile. If your processing isn’t working properly, you won’t get the full benefits and might experience side effects that could be easily prevented.
Processing Support Checklist for Natural Diuretics:
- ☐ Include B-complex vitamins with natural diuretic protocols
- ☐ Monitor key markers quarterly
- ☐ Add folate-rich foods (leafy greens) to diuretic meals
- ☐ Consider methylated B12 supplementation if needed
- ☐ Track energy levels and mood changes
- ☐ Adjust dosing based on genetic processing markers
Advanced Preparation Methods That Actually Work
The bioavailability and therapeutic impact of natural diuretics can be dramatically enhanced through specific preparation techniques that maximize active compound extraction while minimizing potential irritants. Most people are leaving benefits on the table by not preparing their natural diuretics properly.
Preparation methods can make or break your natural diuretic protocol. The same herb prepared differently can have vastly different therapeutic effects. Natural diuretics require proper extraction methods to release their active compounds effectively.
Why Cold Extraction Often Beats Hot Tea
For heat-sensitive compounds like vitamin C in rose hips or delicate compounds in parsley, cold extraction methods preserve therapeutic potency while creating gentler diuretic effects. The process involves: soaking herbs in room temperature filtered water for 6-12 hours, straining and consuming within 24 hours for maximum potency, storing in glass containers to prevent compound degradation, and combining multiple herbs using staggered extraction times based on their optimal extraction requirements.
Cold extraction preserves compounds that would be destroyed by heat while creating a more sustained release of active ingredients. This method often produces better results with fewer side effects compared to traditional hot tea preparations.
Fermentation Enhancement Techniques
Controlled fermentation of certain natural diuretic plants can increase bioavailability of active compounds while creating beneficial metabolites that support gut health and improve overall effectiveness. This advanced technique isn’t for everyone, but it can significantly enhance results for those willing to put in the extra effort.
Fermentation essentially pre-digests the plant compounds, making them more bioavailable and often more gentle on your digestive system. This process can increase the therapeutic potency of natural diuretics while reducing potential gastrointestinal irritation.
This comprehensive approach to natural diuretics represents a significant shift from traditional thinking. Rather than viewing them as simple water eliminators, we’re recognizing them as sophisticated tools for optimizing cellular hydration and overall metabolic function. The key is finding the right combination of compounds , timing, and preparation methods that work specifically for your body’s unique needs.
For those looking to implement these advanced natural diuretic strategies safely and effectively, working with healthcare professionals who understand both the science and the individual variations can make all the difference. Enov.One’s personalized telemedicine platform offers exactly this type of comprehensive, data-driven approach to health optimization. Their board-certified physicians can help you navigate the complex world of natural diuretics while monitoring your progress through regular check-ins and biomarker tracking. Whether you’re dealing with occasional water retention or looking to optimize your body composition, their personalized medication plans and supplement protocols can work synergistically with natural diuretic approaches to help you achieve your health goals safely and effectively.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not saying natural diuretics are magic bullets. But after months of feeling puffy and uncomfortable, finally understanding how to work WITH my body instead of against it? That’s been pretty life-changing.
What I’ve learned through researching this topic is that our bodies are way more sophisticated than we often give them credit for, and natural compounds can work with these sophisticated systems in ways that synthetic alternatives simply can’t match. Your body is already doing most of this stuff naturally – you’re just giving it better tools to work with.
The real game-changer isn’t just knowing which herbs to use – it’s understanding how to use them in harmony with your body’s natural rhythms, genetic predispositions, and individual needs. This personalized approach transforms natural diuretics from a hit-or-miss endeavor into a precise wellness strategy that can deliver consistent, sustainable results.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to eliminate excess water – it’s to optimize your body’s fluid management systems for better energy, improved body composition, and enhanced overall health. When you approach natural diuretics with this broader perspective, you’re not just treating symptoms; you’re supporting your body’s ability to maintain optimal balance.
Some days you’ll nail this, other days you’ll forget and drink your tea at the wrong time. That’s life, and it’s totally fine. The key is understanding the principles so you can adapt them to your real life, not the other way around.