WHY PROBIOTICS?
Probiotics are important in the healing process because they reintroduce the important organisms that fight harmful bacteria like the kind that cause ailments such as diahrea. . Stefano Guandalini, MD, professor of pediatrics and gastroenterology at the University of Chicago Medical Center says, "Probiotics improve intestinal function and maintain the integrity of the lining of intestines."
Many studies prove the importance of taking a probiotic and compare the effectiveness of different brands of supplements. However,
few studies have ever been done with actual fermented
foods. Why? Because
you can’t patent Kimchi! Or any other fermented food like sauerkraut or pickles. Every ancient culture has traditional recipes of fermentation to preserve foods before refrigeration was an option.
Dr. Mercola on his website, states that
Dr. Mercola on his website, states that
"One serving of fermented vegetables has 100 times more
beneficial bacteria than an entire bottle of a high
potency probiotic product!"
-
If you’ve never eaten fermented
foods before, too large a portion may provoke a healing
crisis, which happens when the probiotics kill off
pathogens in your gut. When the pathogens die, they release
potent toxins. If you’ve never had fermented foods in
your life, you need to start very carefully and very
gradually, beginning with as little as one teaspoon of
sauerkraut with on meal. Observe your reactions for a
couple of days before proceeding with another tiny portion
There’s evidence that probiotics
help maintain a strong immune system. “In societies with
very good hygiene, we’ve seen a sharp increase in
autoimmune and allergic diseases,” Guandalini .
“That may be because the immune system isn’t being
properly challenged by pathogenic organisms. Introducing
friendly bacteria in the form of probiotics is believed to
challenge the immune system in healthy ways.”
Probiotics May Help Lots of Ailments
In 2011, experts at Yale University reviewed the research. They concluded that probiotics are most effective for:- Treating ulcerative colitis
- Preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and infectious diarrhea
- Preventing pouchitis, an inflammation of the intestines that can follow intestinal surgery
- Treating and preventing eczema associated with cow’s milk allergy
- Helping the immune system
- Treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
- Treating vaginitis
- Treating diarrhea caused by C. difficile bacteria
- Treating Crohn's disease
Cautions About Probiotics
For the most part, taking probiotics is safe and causes few side effects. “People in cultures around the world have been eating yogurt, cheeses, and other foods containing live cultures for centuries,” says Martin Floch, MD, a professor of gastroenterology at Yale University, co-author of Probiotics: A Clinical Guide, and a consultant for the Dannon Company.In fact, scientists at North Carolina State University found 1400 strains of bacteria that reside just in the human belly button, half of which have never been identified before.
Of course, the majority of the human microbiome resides in our gut and the research on these intestinal bacteria is nothing short of mind-blowing, literally speaking. In addition to playing vital roles in our physical health, it turns out they may be able to influence our mental health as well.
HOMEMADE KRAUT:
(100x more beneficial than commercial tablet form, and a whole lot cheaper!)
Materials: Sterilized Mason Jar, Cabbage, Kosher Sea Salt, Smaller jar with weights.Wash Cabbage and chop it into srips. Toss it with the Kosher Sea Salt and pack it tight into the Mason Jar. Put a smaller jar filled with rocks or marbles into the larger jar to keep the cabbage packed down tight. The salt will start to extract the moisture from the cabbage and you will see the jar will look as if it has cabbage and water in it. Leave it on the counter for a few days until you see the liquid form and it has a cloudy appearance. You can't overgrow the culture so it is not a perfect science as to the duration of fermentation. When you think the look and taste is right put it into the fridge.
*Recommended Products: If I'm not making my own fermented vegetables I like buying BUBBIES brand dill pickles and Saur Kraut. (Whole Foods Market has a great variety of quality fermented vegetables and probiotic drinks.) For Drinks I like Ginger Kombucha and most all flavors of KEVITA, which is a dairy free kefir made with coconut water. (See Next Week's Post on the benefits of Coconut Water!!) Also my favorite Protein Shake is the Vital Balance. More info below:
Is There a Protein Shake that comes with Probiotic and is still low carb? YES!
There are hundreds of PROTEIN SHAKES on the market and there are a few that I have narrowed it down to that hold the nutritional value and quality ingredients I trust. I like the Sun Warrior Protein Powder, but I still have to add vegetables and my blend of omega and probiotics. My favorite protein shake I have for breakfast or any post workout recovery meal is NIKKEN KENZEN VITAL BALANCE. It has the whole H.O.P.E. formula included all in one handy packet. It's high in Fiber and has vegetable proteins. There are Omegas, Enzymes, Vegetables, Vitamins and most importantly it's one of the only protein shakes with PROBIOTIC. What is does NOT have is sugar, soy, dairy, or gluten and it is very low carb.
Contact me to get a discount on your order. The packets are usually about $4 ea. plus S&H and the Month Supply is $115 plus tax and shipping. (about $123.50) I used to buy the Sun Warrior because it was cheaper but after having to add the other ingredients to make it up to par nutrition wise it turned out to be neiher time saving or money saving. Now I just get the Nikken Vital Balance and only use one to one and half scoops (instead of the suggested two scoops, it's helps it go farther$$$) of protein powder mixed with crushed ice and two cups of Unsweetened Almond Milk.
