Has anyone tried kefir before?

[Backtobasics95]

Just found out about this drink recently. Can't believe I haven't heard of it before. People rave about this stuff, I've watched tons of videos on it over the last few days. Quite a few people with IBS say it either reduced their symptoms pretty drastically or got rid of them completely. It's a probiotic drink which puts good bacteria into your gut. What shocked me was reading an article on it where the writer said you're supposed to have 90% good bacteria & 10% bad, but most people have it the other way around. Anyway, I have made this at my home and will be trying it out later today. If I notice improvements in my health I'll definitely let everyone know. If you want to know more watch this video, probably the most helpful kefir video I've seen.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=m8VBs...(Not working as expected?)

Cheers

[Hiddenaway]

My dad takes this everymoring and swears by it

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Hiddenaway]

You should try it out with him!

[Hidden]

I've been drinking kefir for over 2 years now and, although during that time I discovered my bowel problems were actually down to artificial hormones, I still continue with it daily as there's no doubt that it has improved my upper digestive tract issues enormously. I also know that my gut flora are balanced.

I think the best is made from goats' milk and there's a company in Wales which ships it out in cool boxes in 3-weekly batches see: chuckling goat.co.uk. Kefir also helps with skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis and this company does a great range of topical products to treat those too.

Hope you have some success with this!

Cat

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks cat! Yes my health has been atrocious over the last 2 years so I'm excited to see what kefir does for me. You're right about goats milk, a lot of people say it's the best kind for kefir. There's one place near my house that sells raw cow and goat milk so I may try that in the future.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Cat, I have just viewed the video and see that you either use Sheep or Goat's milk. I don't like Goat's products i.e. I detest Goat's Cheese, do you naturally flavour your Kefir?

I've just logged on to the Chuckling Goat website so will have a proper look at that.

Thanks

Alicia

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Cat, it's me again.

I have just been on the Chuckling Goat website and see that there is 'Fresh Goats Milk Kefir – 21 Day Course

£42.95 every 3 weeks', is this what you buy?

Looks like it's ready made to me and you don't need the grains, am I right?

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks

Alicia

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Alicia,

Yes, that's the one.

The kefir is made on the Chuckling Goat farm and is shipped out in a cool pack so you don't need to make your own with the grains.

I mix a few drops of vanilla essence into mine as the taste is very sharp although some people like it just as it comes.

it's quite a bit more expensive than what you can buy in the supermarket, but it's the real deal.

Cat

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Cat for your reply, that's really helpful.

Alicia

[Angie11]

If you live in the U.K. Tescos and Sainsbury's sale. I love it, also drink buttermilk it's good for the gut as well.

I haven't noticed a big change since drinking Kefir but I'm IBS c , which is harder ( I feel) to treat.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Angie11]

Do you buy it in store or make it at home?

[Angie11 in reply to Backtobasics95]

In store. About £1.60

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Angie11]

Make it yourself. Way cheaper and much more potent. The milk kefir grains continually multiply as you use them, so you basically only need to make a one time payment for a lifetime worth of kefir grains. All you need to buy is some milk each week

[Angie11 in reply to Backtobasics95]

I might just give a go.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Angie11]

Cool. Be sure to let me know how you find it

[187MK in reply to Backtobasics95]

Where do you get the grains from?

[Backtobasics95 in reply to 187MK]

Depends where you live. You want to buy them from a company located within your home country. I live in Australia so I just googled 'milk kefir grains Australia'.

[Hidden in reply to Angie11]

Thank you Angie and I do live in the UK. I, like you, also have IBS C and it does seem to be the harder one to treat but I have to say I would rather have IBS C than D, at least I can go out.

I didn't realise buttermilk was good, where do you get yours from, is it organic? I am trying to buy some organic foods, although I cannot afford to go all organic, as I'm concerned as to what the manufacturers are putting in our food.

Thanks

Alicia

[Angie11 in reply to Hidden]

I buy my butter milk from Tescos/ Sainsbury's and the Kefir. I don't buy organic but I'm going to start.

I would like to make the Kefir myself but my kitchen is tiny. I'm not sure is it's helps the constipation I am careful not to over do it.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Angie11]

You could literally make kefir under a rock, it's not something that requires much space. All you need to do is put some kefir grains in a jar, pour in a cup or two of milk, then place the jar somewhere dark and it will do its thing. I usually leave mine in my room with a large towel covering it, but anywhere will do as long as it's not too cold and it's out of direct/indirect sunlight.

[Hidden]

Many of the 'non' UK type shops stock it like the Turkish or Polish do.

We are full of Artificial ingredients cheaper for them to grab our cash.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Hidden]

It seems like it's easier and cheaper to make it yourself at home. Have you tried this? Not to mention it's much more potent when homemade

[187MK in reply to Hidden]

Thank you . I will try to find it locally. At the moment I have bought the Sainsburys Kefir Smoothie which seems to be helping.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to 187MK]

It is a really popular drink so I'm sure you'll find a company that sells it. People also like to give away their spare kefir grains, and there are Facebook groups consisting of people who do just that. So you have plenty of options.

[shaughnessy]

Hmmm, not sure about this statement. I'm allergic to dairy, the tests I had showed it was caesin, the milk protein which is what does for me. Apparently lactose is the commonest allergen. Makes sense really, your lactase production (the enzyme that 'digests' lactose - milk sugar) reduces as you age - basically we are not 'designed' to drink milk after weaning, we are the only mammals to continue to do so. Just be wary, not everything on the internet is true

[Backtobasics95 in reply to shaughnessy]

You are absolutely correct about the casein, it's something that humans aren't supposed to consume. But I think a lot of people depend on kefir, and feel the benefits far outweigh the costs. I'm hoping it will be like that in my case.

As for the lactose, kefir grains feed on lactose, so if you leave it to ferment for about 48 hours you will be fine. Here's an article explaining why people with lactose intolerance can and should drink kefir.

m.huffpost.com/us/entry/250273

[Backtobasics95 in reply to shaughnessy]

If you end up trying it and your stomach can't handle it, there's also water kefir as an option. Not as beneficial as milk kefir but still pretty darn good.

[Hidden in reply to shaughnessy]

Are you allergic to both A1 and A2 casein? If it's just A1, you can buy A2-only milk from Sainsbury's and Waitrose produced by: thea2milkcompany.com

I do agree, though, that it doesn't seem quite right that humans should be drinking milk produced by other creatures and we're the only species on the planet to do so.

[shaughnessy in reply to Hidden]

Sadly I am allergic to both caesin Pagan but fortunately I have found & love Alpro cashew nut milk, tastes as I remember milk tasting & at least some nutritional value. The almond ones had a bit of an aftertaste, ok in coffee but spoiled my beloved tea! Soya milk gives me heartburn tho' I can eat some of the other soya products. I also prefer now Koko plain coconut yoghurt, great on a curry or as desert.Thanks for the kefir info tho', I'll check it out

[Backtobasics95 in reply to shaughnessy]

Yeah you could try water kefir btw. No problems happy to help

[Feaviour]

I tried it a few weeks ago, commercial variety, with disastrous result. Two weeks of agonising pain . I have had IBS(C), of varying severity, for about 40 years. For the last couple of years it has been severe and I despair of finding relief. Am now 85 years old and it gets harder to cope.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Feaviour]

Sounds like you drank too much. You're supposed to start with very small amounts. I only had one tablespoon of it today.

[Angie11 in reply to Feaviour]

Ibs c. is very hard to treat. Probiotics can make it worse, you really have to start with a small intake for weeks.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Angie11]

Yep. I think it's best to start at one tablespoon per day. Do that for a week then increase dosage to two or three tablespoons. After that it would be safe to increase dosage to as much as 1/5 or 2/5 cup. I think it's so beneficial and cheap to make so there's no reason to stop taking it

[Ambazac in reply to Feaviour]

Have you tried Optibac pro biotics for every day? I too suffer from IBS c and have found these a great help.I am 77 and have suffered for 15 years and tried everything else including medication

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Ambazac]

Hi there, no I haven't tried those. I have only just started taking kefir because it costs about $2 a week for a healthy probiotic but I will look up the one you are suggesting.

[naturalopathist in reply to Feaviour]

Hi, when I read your post I wondered if you could try drinking some chamomile tea when your IBS flares up? My Greek mother-in-law swears by it for her stomach issues, as do most Greeks - it seems to calm and soothe. Loose chamomile flower heads or tea bags are fine, just ensure you brew it for at least 3 or 4 minutes, and maybe add a little honey if needed/permitted. I hope it helps you feel less pain.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to naturalopathist]

Hi thanks for the suggestion, I will try that. Usually I drink peppermint tea which also has a soothing effect on the stomach.

[Backtobasics95]

Good point

[TP26]

What does it taste like please? Does it have a sour tinge?

[Backtobasics95 in reply to TP26]

Tastes like a slightly sweeter liquid version of Greek yoghurt. You can flavour it with any sweetener you like. How sour it is depends on how long you let it ferment. The longer it ferments, the more sour it gets. So you have full control over the taste

[adapting]

hi, yes, you can get a coconut milk and grain starter from dr sarah myhill's shop, very economical and tastes great!

[Backtobasics95 in reply to adapting]

Coconut milk really? I thought it only works with milks containing lactose. Are you using milk kefir grains or water kefir grains?

[adapting in reply to Backtobasics95]

i'm cutting out milk just to be on the safe side, yes she sells them as a package and they work together so all good, it's grace coconut milk

[Ambazac]

I forget that people all over the world have IBS! Amazing and so useful to find someone like yourself in the USA. Never heard of kefir before but will read up on it

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Ambazac]

I just think whenever someone with IBS finds something that they think could help other people, they need to share it. I must say my stomach feels different as of lately. Can't say if it's good or bad, but the kefir is certainly doing something.

[Pamboz]

I get mine from the Polish section of the supermarket, Morrisons do it cheaply, Sainsbury's are more expensive. I did make mine for some time but it is actually cheaper and easier to buy it already made, It helps loads with your tummy and bowels.

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Pamboz]

Really? It costs me about $2 a week to make my own

[Hidden]

Hi Backtobasics, thank you for sharing the video and I have now watched it with great interest. Just a quick question, what do you use on any cereal you eat and also in tea and coffee i.e. do you use the Kefir you make?

Thanks

Alicia

[Backtobasics95 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, I've just started drinking it so I only consume 1/2 cup per day. It is a pretty potent form of probiotics so I'm taking it slow. I drink peppermint tea so no milk in that + I don't eat cereal. I'm glad you watched the video, I enjoyed it myself.

[Hidden in reply to Backtobasics95]

Thank you and it was a very interesting video.

[Franjanu]

I've been drinking vegan kefir around 4-5 bottles a week for a few years now. I love it! I don't drink any other drinks apart from water, herbal tea and Kombucha if I exercise. It's great for your gut! Www.Coconutandwhat.Com