Gut health and fermented foods

[paulnelson197]

Hi, wondered if anyone has any experience with Milk Kefir, I've been looking into the benefits of Fermented foods and drinks for improving digestion, keeping pathogens under control, and also restoring the balance of gut bacteria, aiding nutrient absorption, helping to heal leaky gut, and reducing food allergies.

naturallivingideas.com/low-...

Milk Kefir appears incredibly easy to produce and I like the benefits attached with it.

naturallivingideas.com/ferm...

Thanks

[pippan]

Hi yes, I drink kefir everyday and yes it is incredibly easy to make and very difficult to get wrong. I believe it does me a lot of good. Never have any gut issues. When first diagnosed my TPO's were 3000 +, couldn't go gluten free but payed great heed to my diet and started ferments. I check my antibodies regularly and they have just continued to lower, around 500 at my last check and I expect them to be even lower next time. All my other levels have been good and stable for quite some time. 20 percent of thyroid function depends on a sufficient supply of healthy gut bacteria to convert T4 to T3 so it makes sense to work on your gut flora. Go for it, nothing to lose and a great deal to gain in my opinion.

[paulnelson197 in reply to pippan]

Ah great thanks, hopefully I get the same because my thyroid antibodies were pretty high when tested last week. So do you use pasteurised or semi skimmed milk?

I'll make a start later this week 😁

[pippan in reply to paulnelson197]

Hi Paul, I use organic pasturised full fat milk., only because I have a low fat diet. Not sure how semi skimmed would work, probably as well, but not sure as never read up on it.

[paulnelson197 in reply to pippan]

I'll look into that one thanks.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Been drinking it for more than 15 years. Supposed to be helpful for thyroid also as it contains L'Tyrosine, which is one of the components of thyroid hormone (not relevant if you don't have a thyroid)

[paulnelson197 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Good stuff I was thinking of using it for overnight oats instead of natural yoghurt.

[pippan in reply to paulnelson197]

That's just what I do, use if for overnight oats with plenty of fruit. Bag of mixed frozen fruit from Lidl is ideal for overnight outs.

[paulnelson197 in reply to pippan]

Looks like we do exactly the same thing every night making breakfast in advance 😂 I even weigh the oats for carbohydrate counting.

[nifuarain-63]

I have a rare immune deficiency in addition to Hashimoto's. A case of the flu for me literally meant having diarrhoea about 6 times a day for nearly a year (I lost 45 pounds). Kefir is the only thing that worked to restore my gut to normal. Here in the U.S, the most popular commercial brand is also nearly lactose free which is also a plus for many with gut issues. I think, but have not confirmed, that the fermentation process eliminates the lactose. I usually drink it with a little stevia or honey and vanilla.

My adult son and his family make their own.

[paulnelson197 in reply to nifuarain-63]

Ah sorry about that but good to know, I think it's the way to go thanks.

[jamjar67]

I have recently bought some goats milk kefir from a company called Chuckling goat..., it is however very strong!!!... I drink approx 150ml per day and that’s a struggle due to the v potent flavour...., how do you make your own and is it more palatable..., I have bought kefir in the supermarket which I really like (but maybe it’s not as good )....my gut seems improved and my tpo antibodies reduced from >1300 to 199.... but I’ve also been taking selenium, high strength probiotics, digestive enzymes, Vit B, omega 3, hemp oil, adrenal response and my first course of levothyroxine ...., so I’m not really sure what the reduction is due to 🤔 but something is working 👍

[paulnelson197 in reply to jamjar67]

I just ordered some milk kefir from ebay, I then have a big jug full of pasteurised milk. Add the kefir and leave for 24hrs, longer if you want a stronger taste.

Not using at the moment as I'm trying diary free for a couple of weeks to see if I can conquer my stomach issues.

That's certainly a list of things you're taking, I'll have to look into some of those. Thanks