Is live yoghurt safe?

[Bonnett121]

Hi, I am wondering how I can get good bacteria into my immunosuppressed system but I hear live yoghurt is not safe. Does anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks 🌻

[Wobbies]

Oh I eat live yogurt every morning and I am on Cimzia and MTX. Not had a problem.

[Lolabridge]

I eat live kefir natural yoghurt plus every morning, which has even more good live bacteria in it than just yoghurt. Avoid yoghurts with flavourings and added sugar if you can and put fresh berries on top instead. All the fermented products like kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut are good for us as they feed the good bacteria in the gut. It's live vaccines we're told not to have.

[helixhelix]

This is very much a UK/US thing. To me the important thing is to get any live, non-pasteurised products from a reputable source. I eat live products, raw eggs, unpasteurised cheeses, etc etc and am on a biologic and MTX.

It’s also important to eat a variety of foods, as each gives you something a little bit different.

You can get just as ill from a contaminated tomato. And as for open buffets!!

[Bonnett121 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you! x

[rabbits65]

Live yogurt is very good for you . Look it up on the internet and see .

[CagneysMum]

I know it’s different for everyone but I make my own live kefir which I have daily and regularly eat unpasteurised foods. I’m on methotrexate, hydroxychloroquin and biologics 🤷‍♀️

[Jarden_20 in reply to CagneysMum]

Sounds great CagneysMum, do you have a recipe for your kefir?

[CagneysMum in reply to Jarden_20]

You make kefir using a combination if whole milk and live milk kefir grains which I purchased from the internet for around £10. The site I used is called happykombucha.co.uk.

They send full instructions on what to do .. but basically you place the grains together with whole (full fat and ideally unpasteurised) milk in a kiln jar for 24-48 hours at room temperature during which time it ferments into a type of yoghurt. You can drink/eat this neat or flavour it and I use in some recipes in place of yoghurt.

The longer you leave it the more good bacteria develops and it becomes thicker .. but it also becomes more sour because the kefir grains feed on the lactose (sugar) within the milk. So you will need to experiment a couple of times to see at what stage you prefer yours. I have a warm kitchen and so mine is ready every 24hrs … then I sieve it into a sealable jar and pop it in the fridge with some fresh lemon rind to flavour it, where it keeps for quite a while. If I want to slow down kefir production I place the milk and grains together in my fridge. They need to be kept fed because grains will ‘die’ without milk, but they only become active in a warm environment. Think of kefir like yeast when it ferments bread or beer?

Hope that helps. It sounds complicated but it really isn’t 👍

[Jarden_20 in reply to CagneysMum]

Thank you so much for this, I'll definitely give it a go. I'm also interested in making my own kombucha, so will look that up as well. 😊

[CagneysMum in reply to Jarden_20]

I enjoy kombucha so will also give making my own a try soon 👍

[Bonnett121 in reply to CagneysMum]

Thank you it helps to hear what others do, its easy to be over cautious x

[CagneysMum in reply to Bonnett121]

It suits me, but I’m not recommending what’s right for you so please check with your medical team first.

[Runrig01]

I was initially told to follow a pregnancy type diet when I started biologics. So avoiding blue cheese, pates, raw eggs, pasteurised foods etc. However I soon relaxed. When I got a new rheumatologist they explained it was a very American idea, as is the rule of no alcohol with methotrexate. Im allowed to drink alcohol as long as I stay within government guidelines and don’t drink on MTX day. As helix helix says you need to use a reliable source, but I love blue cheese and only eat live yoghurts. I’m rarely ill.

[Bonnett121 in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you that really helps x

[Tkat10]

I was recommended to try kefir to reset my stomach after covid and it worked 😁

[jigsawpuzzler in reply to Tkat10]

Which brand did they suggest you use?

I've been considering trying kefir in the hope that it might help with my IBS, but I'm confused because there are so many types.

[Zephre in reply to jigsawpuzzler]

Hi i have diverticulitis and I take Kefir no problem as I have other immune health issues try it I'm sure it will help 😏😏

[jigsawpuzzler in reply to Zephre]

It's certainly worth a go as I've tried lots of other things that haven't worked.

[MadBunny]

I'm on mtx and Cimzia.When I first started mtx the information I was given said not to eat pate, unpasteurised dairy , live yogurt, products containing raw egg , etc. I eat all of those ( although in moderation) but have live yogurt everyday and am fine.

[Bonnett121 in reply to MadBunny]

Thank you for that, appreciated x

[Tkat10]

I used the oat version due to lactose intolerance, there are lots I’d different versions (biotiful - mango and strawberry very nice) but I think it is more down to personal preference. I have a Belgian chocolate one in the fridge which is yet to be tested 🙂

[jigsawpuzzler in reply to Tkat10]

Ok. Thanks. Well, I'll give it a go The Belgian chocolate one sounds good.

[Angels54]

Live yogurt is good 👍