SALT IS KILLING YOU!!

Unfortunately, very few of us were allowed to keep the sensitive, discriminating palates we were born with. I’m 100% certain if you served the food you eat daily to a person who has never eaten salt before, they would spit it out right away.   

I cringe every time I read food labels and discover the amount of salt (Sodium Chloride) added to processed foods. Kenyans are exposed daily to numerous ingredients that have been proven by research to cause Non-Communicable Diseases and the fact that the ‘watch-dog’ bodies don’t seem to be doing anything to change the situation makes the matter a thousand times worse.   

International guidelines dictate an ‘Adequate Intake’ of 20–40 mmol (460–920 mg) of sodium per day. This corresponds to 1.15–2.3 grams of salt. The set ‘Upper Limit’ or maximum amount for sodium intake is 2300 mg per day (corresponding to approximately 6 grams of salt). Well, let me make your work easier, it is approximately 1 teaspoon of salt is approximately 4.2 grams. Intake above this level is regarded as likely to cause harm. 

Sodium and Potassium are very important salts in the body. Excess sodium consumption however raises your blood pressure.  Potassium on the other hand is the main mineral responsible for lowering the blood pressure. This means that for your blood pressure to be normal, the blood levels of potassium and sodium must be at ‘normal’ levels.  

Salt would rapidly be fatal if the kidneys could not excrete it as fast as you eat it. The kidneys excrete salt (sodium) faster at a higher blood pressure, and the ability of the kidneys to excrete excess sodium provides powerful and life-saving protection against the accumulation of a dangerous backlog of salt. High blood pressure unfortunately has a number of dangerous long-term health outcomes, and greatly increases the risk of both stroke and heart disease. (Australian National Health and Medical Research Council) Continuously elevated blood pressure or high blood pressure over a prolonged period is referred to as Hypertension.   

 I have unfortunately not come across research findings indicating how much sodium Kenyans are consuming. Considering the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases among Kenyans, especially among young kids and the youth, it’s crucial for the Government to fund not only research, but also a consumer behavior change communication project specific to Food, Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices.

As always, I need to sing Kenya’s seemingly National Slogan, Government regulatory bodies need to start doing their job. The Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Pharmaceuticals and Poisons Board and whoever else whose job it is to regulate the local foods manufacturing and imports market, seriously need to be fired or explain to Kenyans why Supermarkets are packed with foods that are literally killing Kenyans.

I normally advise parents not to start adding salt (sodium chloride) to baby food until way after 1 year, after which they still need to use a very small amount, or even better, iodized herbal salt. You already eat Sodium in your daily diet, so you don’t need to be adding too much of it in your food.

If you’re like me and your taste buds have been totally messed up over the years by a consistent high intake of salt, simply substitute the normal table salt with what most people refer to as Diabetics salt. It’s basically sodium reduced sea salt, just ensure that it’s indicated on the container that it’s Iodized to prevent goiter. Even better if you can, substitute normal table salt with Iodized herbal salt; that way you’ll get additional benefits of healthy herbs. Herbal salt may not be the best if you have ulcers or Hyper-Acidity due to the added spices and herbs that might trigger acid production.

For any queries or Nutrition Consultation or a topic you would like me to address, comment below or visit my Facebook page; www.facebook.com/StellarAfya or email me on stllkimani@gmail.com.

CANCER, KENYA’S WORST NIGHTMARE

In the recent past we’ve seen increased uproar about Cancer, especially after several media personalities have unfortunately been diagnosed with this merciless monster. Cancer is increasing at an extremely high rate and it’s time we all played our part to stop this very dangerous trend. So, what is cancer?

In my own terms, cancer is the worst disease ever experienced on earth, which affects people of all ages from newborn children, to older persons and needs to be eradicated from the face of the earth as early as yesterday. In medical terms though, Cancer, also called malignancy, is an abnormal growth of cells.  In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, and is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells are formed to replace them.

When cancer develops, the normal cell division process breaks down. Old or damaged cells survive when they should die, and new cells form when they are not needed. These extra cells can divide without stopping and may form growths called tumors. Many cancers form solid tumors, which are masses of tissue. Cancers of the blood however, such as leukemia, generally do not form solid tumors.  

Cancerous tumors are malignant, which means they can spread into, or invade, nearby tissues. In addition, as these tumors grow, some cancer cells can break off and travel in the body through the blood or the lymph system and form new tumors far from the original tumor.

Unlike malignant tumors, benign tumors do not spread into, or invade, nearby tissues. Benign tumors can be very large. When removed, they usually don’t grow back, whereas malignant tumors sometimes do. Unlike most benign tumors elsewhere in the body, benign brain tumors can be life threatening. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

In the early 90s when Kenya and the rest of Africa started a major fight against disease, the worst nightmares were Malaria and HIV/AIDS. Today you and I know that managing HIV/AIDS seems like a walk in the park compared to Cancer to medics, the patient, socially and economically.  People literally go into panic and utter shock when a person discloses that they have been diagnosed with cancer in Kenya. 

There are very few affordable cancer treatment facilities, and the more affordable option, India, is not as affordable because you need at least 5 Million for treatment and this is dependent on the type on treatment. The only ‘affordable’ Radiotherapy machine to more than three quarters of cancer patients in Kenya is at Kenyatta National Hospital, and is fully booked until 2017. The biggest question is; what will happen to thousands of Kenyans who can’t afford to fundraise and raise the millions required for treatment in or outside the country? Are they left to the fate?

The bottom line is, cancer is here and we need to deal with it now, before it wipes out an entire generation. More than half of the foods stocked in Supermarkets today have carcinogens, which basically mean cancer-causing ingredients. Worse still, farmers are spraying greens with harmful pesticides and the meat in the market does not go through rigorous checks for chemicals or hormones. This basically means that the kawaida mwananchi who can’t afford to shop at the organic farmers market in Karen or Runda is exposed to cancer every day. Wanjiku’s children are consuming fake ‘fruit’ juices in the market and potato chips and mandazi made from transformer oil, hence getting exposed to cancer literally every single day.

Who cares about Wanjiku’s fate? Why can’t I hear any uproar from the so called civil and human rights groups  compelling the government to act and kick out garbage from Supermarkets and hawkers who have no idea they’re selling death to Kenyans?  Why are greedy manufacturers still being allowed to use ingredients that have been banned by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and other international bodies? Why do I find garbage daily being sold by hawkers to unsuspecting and uninformed Kenyans every day on the streets all over Kenya?

I’ll discuss carcinogens on the next couple of articles. Until then, reading ingredients before you buy any product really help, but only if you understand the ingredients. But hey, that’s why I’m here. In case you don’t understand any ingredient, contact me on my facebook page www.facebook.com/StellarAfya or my personal timeline, @Stella Kimani.

WALK YOUR OWN PATH

Only dead fish go with the flow. Everything else swims. In life you can decide to swim to your destiny and risk huge failures, stress, loss and rejection, however on this path you have great potential to achieve everything you've always wanted to.
The alternative path is what most choose. A path in which you conform to the norm; to live like every other person in your age bracket, family, friends and/or church. You're literally like a dead fish. You blindly follow the current's direction. When your friends get a job, you want one too, not considering the fact that you've really never wanted a white-collar job, you prefer entrepreneurship/self-employment, you move to a suburb, in a more expensive house that you can't really afford, why, because all your peers live around South B, South C, Langata, Kileleshwa etc, just because you care too much what people will say if you tell them you actually hate city life, you prefer Kiambu or Ruiru etc You make sure you're engaged by age 25, especially for the ladies, and married by 26, which now seems to be shifting to age 23 (psst....I missed that memo lol!), you take a loan to buy a liability, a car, just because all your friends are driving. Some girls will even degrade to being a side-chick/mpango wa kando, just because he'll buy your a car. News flash ladies, he's spending change on you. How about planning your finances every month and saving to start a business that will buy you the car you want and finance the lifestyle you prefer?
Another sad conformation is buying expensive gadgets like ios, which is worth 2-3 months of your salary. Honestly, I think you shouldn't be walking around with a phone worth more than your salary, and three quarters of all the stuff in your house.
Seriously why drive and/or own an ios, expensive Samsung or htc phone, while your fridge echoes when opened, you have a pathetic mattress, your pillow is literally as hard as a rock? Well the home decor changes if a girl comes into the picture for most men lol, which is often financed by life savings or overdrafts.
After marriage guys, the lady will also want an expensive honeymoon, especially the ones on Bonfire Adventures to Europe, Maldives, Malaysia, Paris to shop lol, which of course will be financed by the guy/husband, who by the way isn't a Richard Branson. There's just one problem ladies, you will come back and realize most if not all of what your m
Most people wake up after the honey moon and for those who delay, in their early 30s. They realize they've wasted their 20s pleasing other people and going with the flow like dead fish. For the married ones the boat starts rocking, and the honey turns soar after realizing they rushed to marry a person they are neither friends with, nor understand.
I'm still trying to understand my peers, but I think most people live through their 20s drunk and sober up at 30. Oh wait, I think they're just dead fish all through the 20s then the waves get tired of carrying them and kicks their asses back to sanity.
One thing I do know about my life-path is the fact that I took the diversion long ago, and no longer follow the superhighway waves that carry the dead fish. It might be a slower journey for me than that of most people, but I feel more comfortable knowing I DO NOT have to panic end month coz I live a lifestyle I can afford, I do not have to pretend to be someone I'm not and most importantly if I really have to borrow money, it's never to satisfy or buy a liability.
 Make a choice today. It's not rocket science. Do you. Live your own life and let the rest live theirs!
an owns and has done for you is on loan, and if not a loan, he used up ALL his savings on you and of course his car which is always fueled Ksh. 500 bob to 1000 because it's a fuel guzzler he can't afford! A simple piece of advice men, when dating, DO NOT expose your lady to a lifestyle you know you can't maintain after marriage. If she can't love you for who you are, RUN!!!

ARV CHICKEN, THE KILLER BREED IN KENYA

 

Shocked by the heading? Yeah, that was my exact reaction too. So it turns out most of the sumptuous chicken most of us have been enjoying is not only pumped with what we thought was the worst case scenario, hormones, but also antiretroviral (ARV) drugs!

A few weeks back one of my relatives was researching on chicken feeds for our chicken project. Her first stop was a livestock and poultry feeds depot belonging to one of the biggest companies in Kenya that for obvious reasons I’d rather not name. Being a typical Kenyan, my relative obviously asked for the most cost effective feeds available in the market, in order to maximize profit. The sales lady was very shocked and her first question was “mum, kwani hujui siri ya kupata pesa mob kwa kufuga kuku?” Clearly my relative seemed to have absolutely no knowledge of current ‘survival tactics’ in poultry farming.

The jovial sales attendant continued to explain the latest poultry farming ‘discovery’. “You don’t have to spend too much on chicken feeds; you just need to become more innovative”. My relative was very excited to hear this latest innovation. As you’ve already guessed, she was advised to buy less chicken feed and mix it with ARVs, in order to get much better results in a shorter time-span. The antiretroviral drugs according to the attendant make chicken bigger and heavier in a record 3 weeks!

Kienyeji chicken, which is my poultry farming preference, under normal circumstances take an average growth span of six months to grow from chicks to layers. With recent developments like genetic engineering, chicken are able to grow in less than half the normal period, but genetic engineering may not be as dangerous as hormone and ARV use.

So, what effect could ARVs have on chicken that makes them grow extremely fast?

One of the reasons why the rapid gain in weight would occur is excessive fat accumulation. Now this is an unproven and very speculative theory I must say, because so far I’ve not seen any research or test results on ARV use on chicken; for obvious reasons. I’ve not heard of chicken infected with HIV hence ARVs are manufactured for human not poultry use.  For this reason, it’s not a shocker that ARVs would have adverse effects on poultry.

There’s need for research by the relevant bodies; Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the rest I haven’t named here including KEMRI, in order to ensure that ingredients that can potentially harm Kenyans are not used in farming or food production. 

The biggest risk of misusing ARVs is the fact that if there’s any need for a person to use ARVs in the future for treatment or prophylaxis, the drugs will not work. This is because inconsistent use of not just ARVs, but most drugs leads to resistance of that particular drug in the body. The question however is, after the ARV drug is ingested by the chicken, can it affect the person ingesting the chicken’s meat?

So, what’s the solution for Kenyans? One, buy your meat and groceries from people you know and hopefully they’ll sell you safe products. We all however know how hard that is, especially for urban and specifically Nairobi residents. For those near Karen area, you can purchase groceries and meats from the “Organic Farmers Market” in Karen. But I must tell you the prices might not be very friendly for most people.  

The best option to avoid eating foods that could potentially harm you is to produce your own food. Well, for chicken and other animals you have to pay the city council if you’re in urban towns. One thing I would love all Kenyans to adopt is kitchen gardening.  You don’t need a large parcel of land to do kitchen gardening or small-scale poultry farming. All you need is to utilize your space wisely.  For urban residents and any person with limited space, there are many gardening options from hanging gardens, flowerpot gardening to sack gardening and so much more. For poultry farming you may need to work with a professional carpenter to construct for you an easy to clean chicken coup that will best suit your space.

For now, be very careful the next time you buy chicken. You might as well be introducing your system to ARVs and God knows what else!

MOTHERS DAY? WHO CARES?

Mothers day as most would agree with me is a big deal to over 90% of the world population. Fathers day on the other hand more often than not go unnoticed. Have you ever asked yourself why you care about mothers day and mothers in general, as much as you do, or are you simply grateful your mum gave you life.
Well, I'm sure you have your reasons for treasuring mothers' day. But is this day over rated?  Who cares whether mothers get recognition or not? Who cares whether mothers die giving life or not?
I care! I care for the mother whose husband just left, and she has to fend for all her children's needs single-handedly;
I care for the little girl whose childhood was cut short by boko haram criminals and is forced to take care of a baby, yet she's a child herself. Who will give this young child mother her own childhood back?
I care for the mentally challenged woman who was forced into motherhood by a sane fool and she somehow has to bring up a child, though she has no idea really what she's doing. God help us!
I care for the homeless mother who was chased away from her  matrimonial home by her ruthless mother in-law in the name of bewitching her son, her husband;
I care for the weeping widow whose property was cruelly snatched away her in-laws after her husband's sudden demise, and has to start life all over;
I care for the weeping mother-to-be whose boyfriend denied responsibility for her pregnancy, after promising her the sun and moon, and she's now considering an abortion, a procedure that could take away both hers and her child's life;
I care for the mother whose husband infected her with HIV, and hers and her children's future is now a mirage, an uncertain dream she may have to wake up from;
I care for the young naive college girl whose 'rich' boyfriend just demanded for an abortion, with the excuse he's married! What was that? You're judging her? My friend unless you've walked a mile in another person's shoes, leave it alone! I agree there are some very wreckless women with no respect for marriage and relationships in general, but I do care for the women who genuinely get screwed up because they were made to believe the person they were in a relationship with is single. Well, that's just me. I do care.
I care for the mother whose husband doesn't support her financially despite the fact that he earns more than double the amount she does;
I care for the mother who has literally been turned into a drum, being beaten day in day out.But the rhythm in her case is tears of sorrow and pain. Which obviously go unnoticed by her care-free so called husband;
I care for the mother who has to stand at a cold corner at night, hoping to find a customer to offer her once most sacred treasure, to a beast that cares-less about her feelings or emotions. Huh? You're judging again? Well, I hope to one day be a billionaire and get such women off the streets and give them hope and a new lease on life but until then, I can only sympathize from a distance and pray to the Almighty to change their situation and if you can't help either, quit judging;


I care for the grandmother whose children hardly visit her or support her and loneliness is her only companion in her old age;

I care for the mother who was raped, and she has to love her child and protect her from the harsh reality that she's not a fruit of love, but a product of a hideous act, a gross violation;
I care for all the single mother who has to double up as mommy and daddy for their little angel, a mother who has to explain to her little boy why he doesn't live with his daddy, like his other friends;
I care for that mother deep in thought, staring into the horizon wondering what the future holds for her and her children, a future now uncertain, since the beautiful skinny light-skinned young girl showed up; She weeps as she stares at the divorce papers from her once prince charming turned beast, a cold hearted creature who cares less about her emotional torture, or her bleeding heart, her one true love who could care less whether she lived or died;

I care for the young future mother deeply hooked in drugs, a once sweet angel now turned dark by the cruel harsh world; by a man who gave her life, a man she thought she could trust, turned terrible beast and took away her innocence; a future mother who no longer sees the beautiful treasure in her;
I care for the special woman with a big heart, a mother at whose heart bleeds day and night, an unending agony brought by the harsh reality that she can never have her own child; but she still is a mother. A mother to numerous children abandoned, children who need her to spread her angel wings and realize God's purpose for her life is to adopt a little angel with no hope for a future, and bring light into that child's life;
I care above all else for all mothers who spend sleepless nights on their knees praying for their children's safety and prosperity;

I care for all the mothers who go through hell to protect and provide for their little ones, no matter the circumstance. Special beings created by God to be just that, special. Special beings who would without second thought give their own lives for the sake of a child, even a child they didn't personally give life. Women who understand their purpose on earth. A purpose to not just give birth to children, but to love, nurture, give hope, illuminate, provide and bless their lives.

Mothers day is a day for all women; because all women were created and ordained by God to be mothers. Mothers to all creation created by God. Mothers to all off-spring, by birth or by divine positioning.
Happy Mothers day to all women, and most specially to three special women in my life who to me are the exemplification of super woman. Women of indescribable strength, hard work, patience, wisdom and zeal. Women with a fighting attitude who fell, rose, fell again and didn't just rise but soared. My mum and two grandmothers. You're the reason for my never-giving-up attitude and independent mind. I've learn't to be a great warrior, one who stands tall in all seasons, even in the valley of the shadow of death, because I do know where my pillar of strength is.  From your lives I've learn't God allows us to go through hell just to get us into heaven.
May God richly bless you and give you long life, excellent health and even more strength.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

DIABETES ALARMINGLY RISING IN KENYA!

As you may have already figured out by now, I’m not a big fun of urbanization, the major reason being the numerous health issues it has brought about in Kenya and Africa; one of the most serious and expensive being Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Recent research has indicated that NCDs are alarmingly on the rise in Kenya, the highest prevalence being diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer. For now, we’ll discuss diabetes. This is one disease I personally HATE to the core, for among other reasons, taking my dad’s life mercilessly and miserably. Unlike most people’s belief, misconception and wrong advice by some health professionals, Diabetes is a very preventable and manageable disease. The major reason why diabetes is killing a lot of Kenyans is lack of information, lack of health education and mishandling by some professionals who don’t really understand the disease.  

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. We’ll discuss more about insulin on another article. 

The most common types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes; previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset diabetes and type 2 diabetes; formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes. Another type of diabetes common in women is Gestational diabetes; which is hyperglycemia (raised blood sugar) with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.

Other common conditions closely related to diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG). These are intermediate conditions in the transition between ‘normal’ health and diabetes. People with IGT or IFG are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, however the progression can be avoided through medical attention and appropriate health education.  

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by deficiency in insulin production in the body and requires daily administration of insulin. The exact cause of type 1diabetes has so far not been proven, but there have been speculations of genetics and environmental factors playing a role.

Type 2 diabetes results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. 90% of people with diabetes around the world have type 2 of diabetes. The major cause of type 2 diabetes is excess body weight and physical inactivity.

One of the most unfortunate norms among many Kenyans is not going for medical check-ups. Most of us only visit the hospital when seriously ill and when over-the-counter drugs we’re used to buying are no longer working. For most Non-Communicable Diseases, by the time you’re experiencing any symptoms, the disease has already progressed. People, it really is high time we all stopped self-medicating. 

If you or somebody you know has been complaining of excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), constant hunger, sudden unexplained weight loss, vision changes and fatigue; it’s high time you advise them to visit a healthcare provider for checkup. Symptoms of diabetes more often go unattended to because we assume they’re consequences of normal day-to-day stress.

As I’ve said before, I don’t fancy long articles, for that reason, I’ll stop there for now. Let’s discuss more about diabetes on the next article. Make an appointment for you and your entire family, to visit a healthcare provider and have your blood sugar checked and if possible, a general health examination. Remember diabetes and other Non-Communicable Diseases are now affecting very young children, so take all prevention measures possible.

Choose excellent health today. My health, my responsibility!