Goat kefir

[Girtonian]

I was talking to a new friend about my restricted diet - no gluten, cows dairy, nightshades etc - and she said she was the same until she tried chuckling goat kefir. I wondered if anyone else with Hashimotos has tried it and found any benefits? I also have RA. I’m definitely gluten intolerant, but sometimes wonder about the others.

[Marz]

I have Goats Yogurt which suits me. Had to change from Sheep's yogurt on moving back from Crete. Dairy is often mentioned here as an issue - and I do not drink cows milk ! I have Hashimotos and Crohns ... For many dairy exacerbates inflammation in the gut.

[Girtonian in reply to Marz]

Thank you Marz. I also have goats yoghurt and in fact I love it. I have tried sheep yoghurt but didn’t enjoy it so much. I try not to eat any kind of dairy before midday though, to be sure it doesn’t interfere with absorbing the levothyroxine I take first thing. I just wondered if kefir would improve my gut biome. I’ve had quite a few courses of antibiotics over the years and I’m sure they must have wiped out some of my beneficial gut flora. I’ve taken probiotics in capsule form but most of them seemed to have little effect.

[Marz in reply to Girtonian]

I believe you can make Water Kefir - wonder if that would help ? Also look at pre-biotics ...

[Lynneypin in reply to Marz]

I used to make it but there’s a lot of sugar involved!!

[Marz in reply to Lynneypin]

Oh dear ! Didn't know that !

[Mostew in reply to Lynneypin]

Like kombucha and milk kefir, water kefir’s final sugar content is dependent upon how long you allow it to culture. As it cultures, the grains consume the sugars and convert them to carbon dioxide (carbonation), acids, bacteria, and yeasts.

Cultures for Health have a good article

[Lynneypin in reply to Mostew]

This is true. But I bought a brewing sugar measuring device and I was still uneasy. Super fizzy and gorgeous though! Give it a go.

[Smomo in reply to Lynneypin]

Know what u mean but especially if its very fizzy it will have less sugar

Enjoy, as we know not feeling good about something can lessen the benefits...

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Marz]

Doesn't increase folate or contain tyrosine like milk kefir, but can still help the gut - the sugar is fermented away.

[Lynneypin]

I make my own. It’s very easy. I only have a couple of tablespoons a day though. It’s an acquired taste.... which I’m still trying to fully acquire after several years 😂

[MrsQ20]

I am considering this too! My sister came across it when her daughter had hospital induced levels of eczema and it helped her! I’m gluten free and really hope not to go down a dairy free route (although I’ve reduced my dairy and am monitoring it). My mum has very high iron and lots of autoimmune type symptoms and they can’t pinpoint what it is so she’s trying this as one measure to try and help. Will keep you posted.

[Serendipitious]

I’ve been making water Kefir for the last two weeks. Really enjoying it. I’ll be trying milk Kefir next. Water Kefir does contain some sugar and milk Kefir has a more diverse range of probiotic strains so it is much better.

[WeeN]

Chuckling Goat Kefir is the best you can get. I can highly recommend all their products 😊

[Taminaone]

I have Hadhimoto’s. A friend swore by Kefir and started me off with her extra grains I think they are called a bit like little cauliflowers and I usually use goats milk to feed it but also blue top milk organic if possible. Supposed to be good for immune system. It’s pleasant to drink. I have yet to feel any effects good or negative.

[Mostew]

I can’t tolerate dairy milk Cows cheese but can tolerate butter and dairy kefir , interesting what we find out when we really listen to our bodies . Still find it hard to accept I don’t do well with brown rice .......

[Mikka]

I have used the CG kefir for just over a year now and it's been brilliant. Fewer allergies, way better mood, fewer sugar cravings, flatter stomach, reduced any digestive issues to almost nothing. Probably several other things that haven't come to mind right now as well.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I make my own goat milk kefir. it's very high in folate and other B vits and also helps the gut. In kefir, most, if not all the lactose, is "eaten" by the fermentation, so if you are lactose intolerant, you can still drink it. Many people who are casein intolerant, can tolerate goat proteins and sometimes also A2 (jersey/guernsey) cow protein as it is different from the milk for the "black and white" modern cow breeds. I don't have Hashis though

[Girtonian in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Interesting, thanks. I didn’t know Jersey/Guernsey milk protein was different.

[RoughPhilosophy]

Hello. I have been drinking goat kefir for about a year and a half now and I think it's great. I have Hashimotos and the three most important things that I do to manage it are #1 taking Nigella Sativa oil daily #2 drinking plain goat kefir #3 taking Armor Thyroid. Of course gluten free. Since you asked about goat kefir a long time ago and I see no response, I thought I would let you know that it works for me. Hope you are well 🙏

[Girtonian]

thanks, yes, I’m doing ok. I have started taking goats kefir again as I had a course of antibiotics a few weeks ago. I had rather neglected the grains sitting in a jug in the back of my fridge, but they seem to still work well after a rinse and a feed of some fresh goats milk at room temperature.