Shiku's Health and Herbal products

01/02/2025

24/09/2024

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If you think fruit is healthy, you may want to think again.
Fructose is nature’s natural method to make us fat.
Fruit, specifically the sugar in fruit, fructose, has an evolutionary role in our existence. It has helped to keep us alive through the winter by making us fat.
Fructose is very different than glucose, the sugar our body uses to make energy, and it is the details that make fructose unique that enable us to see its true nature.
Fructose is 2.5 times sweeter than glucose, and it activates our most understood addiction pathway for alcohol. Fructose is alcohol in the body or the other way around. Either way, alcohol and fructose are metabolized in the same way.
“But I like fruit. It tastes so good!”
Ok, fructose is sweet, and we like the taste. Why is this the case?
Fructose inhibits our satisfaction from the eating sensation controlled by the hormone Leptin.
This means that when we consume fructose, we will not get “full” from our meals like we usually would or should, leading to overeating.
On the other side of that equation, fructose stimulates our hunger hormone, Ghrelin, and this causes us to want to eat more and food cravings within 3 hours after eating it.
Fructose also stimulates accelerated aging by producing high levels of Advanced Glycation Endproducts, or AGEs.
The body only uses about 10% of the calories for energy and stores the other 90% as liver fat.
Fructose increases oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage.
Fat from fructose is transported by small, dense LDL cholesterol carriers and stored in our fat tissue, raising blood LDL cholesterol significantly.
As there are no biochemical reactions in the human body that require fructose.
Global health authorities declared that fructose is one of the primary drivers of the worldwide type 2 diabetes epidemic.
Evolutionarily our unique fructose metabolism made us gain fat for the winter in the form of visceral, liver, and body fat.
This mechanism is also used by bears preparing for hibernation, birds that migrate, and even fish that can go without food for an entire season each year.
The problem is, however, that we don’t hibernate, migrate, travel long distances, or go without food for extended periods.
Still, we keep eating fructose in all its forms, which causes insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, drives our addiction physiology, and ultimately leads to Alzheimer’s Dementia and cancer.
This is the main driver of why our kids are overweight, have problems focusing, and grow up to become sicker than we have ever been, and at a much faster rate.
Fructose is not a nutrient and is not needed in our body. It ultimately causes more damage to our bodies and health rather than doing any potential good.
Carbohydrates are also not essential nutrients that we need in our diet, and as fructose is toxic, it can be eliminated.
If you are concerned about nutrients you might miss, all green vegetables have much more to offer than fruit, and animal products have more than any plant.

03/09/2024

10 things you're probably doing every day that are seriously damaging your health:
1) Drinking caffeine first thing in the morning.
When you wake up in the morning, you’re dehydrated from not drinking water all night.
Caffeine adds to this.
Because caffeine is a diuretic, it increases urine production and leads to fluid loss.
To avoid this, have 32oz of water straight away.
Then, enjoy your caffeine.
2) Looking at screen light before sunlight
There’s no worse way to start your day than waking up and scrolling.
Spend some time outside, preferably moving, before you check your devices.
Your sleep, mood, circadian rhythm, and stress levels will all improve significantly.
3) Eating refined carbs and sugars for breakfast
When you eat processed carbs, you experience rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar.
It’s why you feel chronically fatigued and hungry later in the day.
Instead, try building your breakfast around proteins and fats.
4) Not eating enough protein
Most health authorities suggest you eat 50 grams of protein daily.
But that’s far too low.
We want protein to be at the heart of our diet for satiety, muscle growth and repair, and immune functionality.
Aim for 0.8-1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.
5) Sitting at a desk > 6 hours a day
Excess sitting is linked to numerous health issues, including:
• Poor posture
• Weight gain
• Increased risk of chronic disease
If you work a desk job, make it a priority to get up every hour to stand, stretch, and walk.
6) Liquid calories
Because there’s no fiber to slow the absorption of sugar, liquid calories are like injecting an IV of sugar straight into your bloodstream.
Cutting liquid calories from juices, sodas, and alcohol is a big lever to pull for weight loss and overall health.
7) Mouthbreathing
The health consequences of mouth breathing are abundant:
• Dry mouth
• Weaker jaw
• Dental issues
• Impaired sleep
• Respiratory issues
To combat this, practice mindfully breathing through your nose, and consider using mouth tape while you sleep.
8) Constantly responding to emails and messages
When we’re always online, we’re in a constant problem-solving state.
This is awful for our stress levels.
Our nervous systems need a chance to relax.
Schedule time to detach. Use do-not-disturb. Turn off devices after 5 pm.
9) Having a few drinks with dinner
The downstream effects of drinking multiple nights a week are scary:
• Weight gain
• Impaired sleep
• Anxiety and depression
• Increase risk of cancers and chronic disease
A few drinks a week is still not ideal but won't kill you, but if it's everyday it might.
10) Viewing bright light close to bed
Looking at screens close to bed disrupts your circadian rhythm and the production of melatonin.
We want to avoid this at all costs.
Use blue light blockers.
Turn screens off an hour before bed. Stretch, meditate, journal, or read.

24/08/2024

Almost everything you've been taught about eating is WRONG.
The food industry spent billions teaching you what to think about food.
Here are 20 tips to educate yourself:
1) The inner aisles of a grocery store are engineered to taste good and keep you coming back for more. They are closer to drugs than REAL food.
2) Eating 5-7x a day is not the way to boost your metabolism but its a great way to create insulin resistance.
3) You don't need more supplements. You need a whole foods diet.
4) There's nothing healthy about fruit drinks. They are liquid sugar IVs. 100% juice is still 100% garbage for your body.
5) Breakfast can be the most important meal of the day but not when your routine is eating 3 bowls of cereal. If you're going to eat breakfast start with hitting 30+ grams of protein to start your day.
6) The food pyramid maximized profits and destroyed people's health.
7) Vegetable oils are closer to industrial waste than they are vegetables. Stick with coconut, avocado, olive, and butter.
8) Terms like natural, heart healthy, and multigrain are marketing terms that have nothing to do with that food improving your health.
9) Heart disease wasn't a serious issue until the past several decades, yet red meat and eggs which have been eaten for thousands of years have become the scapegoat for what processed foods and insulin resistance have done.
10) Calories in, calories out sound great unless your diet is full of empty calories. Nutrient density matters when it comes to hormonal balance, metabolism, and overall health.
11) Low fat is usually just a smoke screen for high sugar, increased triglycerides, insulin resistance, and heart disease.
12) The sun has endless nutritional benefits and comes at zero cost and free of calories.
13) Everything in moderation is illogical. Just because your body can deal with certain foods doesn't mean its good for you.
14) Creatine isn't just for bodybuilders, it's for everyone. It's cheap, safe, and has cognitive benefits in addition to its impact on muscle.
15) You don't need energy drinks. You need a high protein diet and better quality sleep. Something as simple as magnesium before bed can have a huge impact on improving the quality of your sleep.
16) Artificial sweeteners lack sugar but can destroy your gut health.
17) Drinking alcohol because it's good for you in some way is bu****it. It's a toxin. If you want to enjoy it fine but don't use your health to justify it.
18) If it's designed to sit on a shelf for a year it's not food.
19) An exclusively plant based diet lacks essential nutrients. Don't be fooled by products like Beyond Meat which require high levels of processing to create a cheap alternative "food".
20) Cholesterol is the boogeyman you have been told to fear but cholesterol is naturally occurring and dietary intake of cholesterol is not strongly understood or supported by the data to cause heart disease.
Food companies are enabled by limited regulation to prioritize max profits over consumer health.
It's important to be an educated consumer. You are responsible for your own health.
Think critically and stick to the basics. If it wasn't eaten 100 years ago it's not worth eating.

20/06/2024

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Mainstream health advice is a recipe for inflammation, insulin resistance, and chronic disease.
Here are some myths you've been misldead to believe
1. Meat causes cancer
The studies claim meat causes cancer. They conveniently left out:
• The large fries
• The 32oz Coke
• The hyper-processed buns and condiments
They also fail to differentiate between a hot dog and quality beef.
The 4oz of meat in the meal isn’t what’s causing cancer.
Meat is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
Our ancestors survived and thrived on it for millions of years.
This ancient food isn’t the problem.
Engineered modern “food” is.
2. Eggs cause heart disease
Not all cholesterol is the same.
Eggs don’t raise the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that leads to heart disease.
Instead, they raise the levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL).
They’re also one of nature’s most nutrient-dense superfoods.
3. Eating throughout the day boosts your metabolism
Studies have shown no difference in metabolism between people who eat 2 meals a day vs. 6.
We aren’t meant to be constantly eating.
Fasting for longer periods between meals is great for your gut health and digestive system.

4. Saturated fat is bad for you
Old studies blamed saturated fat for heart disease.
But these studies were highly flawed and politically motivated.
Newer studies show there is no association between the two.
You have 0 reason to fear meat, eggs, coconut oil, or butter.
5. Low-fat foods are good for you
This is another marketing scheme by Big Food companies.
Low-fat foods are often:
• Highly processed
• Preserved with seed oils
• Loaded with sugar and corn syrup
Be wary of anything with the label “low-fat.”
6. Grains should be the base of your diet
Excess consumption of grains can lead to several health problems.
They’re low in nutrients compared to fruits, vegetables, and meat.
They’re also made with pesticides that irritate your gut.
7. You only need 40g of protein a day
Eating a high-protein diet is one of the best ways to fight against:
• Diabetes
• Chronic fatigue
• High blood pressure
Protein is also associated with improved bone health.
What ,yths would you add to this list?

09/06/2024

The Multifaceted Functions of Cholesterol in the Human Body
When you hear the word "cholesterol," the first thing that often comes to mind is its association with heart disease and the need to lower its levels. While an imbalanced cholesterol panel can indeed pose health risks, it's essential to understand that cholesterol plays numerous vital roles in the human body. In fact, your health would suffer greatly without it.
Cholesterol is important for:
Structural Component of Cell Membranes
Cholesterol is an essential component of all cell membranes in the body. It helps maintain their structural integrity and fluidity, allowing cells to function optimally. Cholesterol acts as a buffer against changes in temperature, ensuring that cell membranes remain stable and do not become too rigid or permeable.
Precursor for Hormone Synthesis
Cholesterol serves as a precursor for the synthesis of several essential hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and the s*x hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones are involved in regulating various physiological processes such as metabolism, stress response, blood pressure, and s*xual development.
Vitamin D Production
Vitamin D, often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and immune function. Cholesterol is a vital precursor in the synthesis of vitamin D. When exposed to sunlight, a cholesterol derivative present in the skin is converted into vitamin D3, which is subsequently activated by the liver and kidneys.
Bile Acid Synthesis
Cholesterol is necessary for the production of bile acids in the liver. Bile acids aid in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats, including fat-soluble vitamins. Once synthesized, bile acids are stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to facilitate the breakdown of fats and promote their absorption into the bloodstream.
Neurological Function
The brain is rich in cholesterol, and this lipid plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal neurological function. Cholesterol is involved in the formation and maintenance of synapses, the connections between nerve cells that enable the transmission of electrical signals. It is also vital for the production of myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers that facilitates efficient conduction of nerve impulses.
Antioxidant Properties
Cholesterol possesses antioxidant properties that help protect cells against oxidative damage. It helps neutralize harmful free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can cause cellular damage and contribute to various diseases, including cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative conditions.
Conclusion
Contrary to its negative reputation, cholesterol is a fundamental and indispensable component of the human body. Its functions extend far beyond its association with heart disease. Cholesterol is involved in maintaining cell membrane structure, synthesizing essential hormones, producing vitamin D, aiding in fat digestion, supporting neurological function, and acting as an antioxidant.
While it's crucial to maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol, demonizing it undermines its significant contributions to overall health!

27/05/2024

You can have 99 problems in your life until you lose your health. Then you will have only one problem.

When you feel sick or unwell your body might show signs and when the blood test is done, and they find something abnormal it means your body started dealing with health problems for a bit.

Disease starts with....
👉Sleep apnea
👉Fatigue
👉Painful periods
👉Thinning hair
👉Low libido
👉Dry skin
👉Slow/poor digestion
👉Unhealth eating behaviors
👉Bloating/constipation
👉Low stomach acid
👉Frequent infections
👉Hormonal imbalances etc
Changing your lifestyle may be the first place to start. Eliminating sugar, wheat and seed oils is also a very good place to start with.

20/05/2024

Probiotic Kefir ideal for everyone even lactose Intolerant.
Kefir is a fantastic source of many nutrients
1. A 1 cup serving of low-fat kefir contains Protein: 9 grams
• Calcium: 24% of the daily value (DV)
• Phosphorus: 20% of the DV
• Vitamin B12: 29% of the DV
• Riboflavin (B2): 25% of the DV
• Magnesium: 7% of the DV
• Vitamin D: 12% of the DV
2. Kefir is a more powerful probiotic than yogurt.
Kefir may contain up to 61 different microorganisms, making it a much more potent source of probiotics than many other fermented dairy products.
3. Kefir has potent antibacterial properties
Kefir contains the probiotic Lactobacillus kefiri and the carbohydrate kefiran, both of which protect against harmful bacteria.
4. Kefir can improve bone health and lower the risk of osteoporosis
Kefir made from dairy is an excellent source of calcium, and full-fat dairy kefir also contains vitamin K2. These nutrients have major benefits for bone health.
5. Kefir may be protective against cancer
Some test-tube and animal studies indicate that kefir can inhibit cancer cell growth. However, no current studies have included people, so more research is needed.
6. Kefir’s probiotics may help with various digestive
Probiotics like kefir can treat several forms of diarrhea. They can also lead to improvements in various digestive conditions.
7. Kefir is low in lactose Kefir is low in lactose because its lactic acid bacteria have already pre-digested the lactose. People who have lactose intolerance can often drink kefir without problems.
8. Kefir may improve allergy and asthma symptoms
Limited evidence from animal studies suggests that drinking kefir may reduce allergic reactions.
9. Kefir is easy to make at home
You can also find many youtube videos ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZrlm9tsrw ) that teach kefir production, but the process is very simple:
i) Put 1–2 tablespoons (14–28 grams) of kefir grains into a small jar. The more you use, the faster it will culture.
ii) Add around 2 cups (500 ml) of milk, preferably organic or even raw. Milk from grass-fed cows contains higher levels of beta carotene and vitamin A. Leave 1 inch (2.5 cm) of room at the top of the jar.
iii) You can add some full-fat cream if you desire thicker kefir.
iv) Put the lid on and leave it for 12–36 hours at room temperature.
That’s it.
Once it starts to look clumpy, it’s ready. After you gently strain out the liquid, the original kefir grains are left behind. You can now put the grains in a new jar with some milk, and the process starts all over again.
Watch this video by Dr. Dr. Eric Berg on why Kefir over normal Yoghurt ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3foRBVFxnOQ ).
I sell 1 tablespoon at Kes 1,500. Ready to drink Kefir also available a litre 250
Whatsapp for more details on how to make and preserve Kefir via 0722799556

Full tutorial on how to make raw milk kefir using traditional kefir grains.PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS:@ 0:23- Homemade kefir CAN CONTAIN UP TO 60 ...