All About Kefir

Kefir: What are the Health Benefits of Kefir

2011-02-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

Kefir health benefits are wide ranging, which may be credited primarily in the multitude of effective microbes present in kefir grains. All these micro-organisms can easily engage in a huge role on strengthening health and wellness as well as contentment of each person, by strengthening digestive system healthiness. Kefir also provides several nutritional vitamins and also proteins. Many of the most fundamental health rewards about kefir the following:

Kefir provides anti-biotic as well as anti-fungal. It could be beneficial in the same situations, candidiasis ( fungus contamination), heart problems and also HIV / AIDS. Kefir may deliver rewarding organisms that could increase ingestion, to help remedy various well-known digestive : conditions for example gas, bloatedness, heartburn, and so on. It might assure normal bowel routine to deal with irregular bowel movements. This nutrients within it could be specifically very theraputic for people who have lactose intolerance. On top of the helpful bacteria, kefir may offer several minerals and vitamins. This can be a abundant method to obtain vit a, B2, B12, K as well as D. The main minerals present in kefir tend to be calcium, phosphorus and the mineral magnesium.Kefir may purify the actual intestinal tract as well as the tackle associated with a form of intestinal tract issue. It might offer you alleviation on inflammatory colon condition at the same time Kefir could take care of many different health problems which includes gastritis, pancreatitis, eczema, abdominal peptic issues, skin psoriasis, rheumatism, joint disease as well as gouty arthritis, weakening of bones, anemia, as well as leaky digestive tract syndrome, among others.Kefir boasts a stimulative result on the actual disease fighting capability and for that reason could enhance your capacity to combat illness.Kefir is able to reduce risking potential a number of malignancies, such as colon cancer malignancy, stopping the increase of cancerous cells cells. Kefir also can ease the particular nerve fibres of your entire body to help keep a normal nervous system. Kefir This particular characteristic is caused by the existence of protein "Tryptophan". Kefir contains antioxidising as well as anti-aging. It may counteract foreign bodies which usually breakdown cells and also tissues simply by oxidizing all of them. By decreasing the actual influence of toxin destruction, kefir may decrease aging.
Besides all these, different kefir health advantages comprise of acne pimples treatment or even manage, sleep problems, unhappiness, asthma attack, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, all forms of diabetes, long-term weakness syndrome, allergic reactions, colitis, looseness of the bowels, and so forth.

Kefir is extremely straightforward to absorb, and can also be used by kids. It's actually a whole source for protein, with a lot of important proteins. In conclusion, kefir is a superb diet that may cleanse our bodies, as well as increase the features of numerous body systems to develop health and stamina. You may also assist you to slim down. Making an allowance for each of the benefits associated with kefir, it may be determined that the actual advent associated with kefir for your weight loss program is a great strategy to ensure a healthful lifestyle.

Make your own Kefir now!

Kefir: Traditional Kefir Grain Made Easy

2010-03-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

I know some of you right now are excited and anxious about trying this Kefir that everyone has been talking about. Well, we all know as a long time advocate of kefir, that the grains are just too hard to find and some of us are too busy to even look for it.

I am going to give you a tip about where to get this Kefir grains, here's a tip, as much as I want you to save your money and not spend on anything but well i have spent a small amount of money also for this, well it's a little amount of money to spend for having a healthy lifestyle.

I spent 23$ for this. This is were I got my grains and I also got a kefir Video Course which will teach the whole process of reproducing you grains well its a pretty neat package for just 23$ and to tell you honestly its very exciting to keep on looking after your grains and to watch them grow. I got it from a site called Timeless health.

The shipping of the grains only took 2 days for it to arrive, I thought it was gonna take weeks but I was amazed at how it got to me very fast. I was pleased with that. The great thing about the plan was that you have to get the package in order for you to save 50 percent, now that's a good deal already.

If you want to get the package as well, just click this button right here or go to this site www.timelesshealth.com or click this button right here.

I am pretty sure you will have the same experience that I had and experience the same good life that I am having right now. Thanks Kefir!!

A Brief Introduction To Water Kefir

2009-12-10T02:27:00.000-08:00

Water Kefir, known to some as Tibicos, Japanese Water Crystals, Sugar Kefir Grains, it was believed to have come from the mountains of Tibet, and some historians have claimed that the grains was given to Maria Theresa of Calcutta.

Water Kefir Grains can be easily grown, because it has the ability to multiply, actually the more that you leave it in a watered container the more it grows, you can place it in a bottle and place a sweetened water in it to make it more enjoyable and can be used as a beverage, or drink for your kids, a healthy alternative to soda and other carbonated drinks which is harmful to the body.

It can also be stored in many ways, you can place it in the fridge, you can put water to keep it growing, or you can dehydrate it.

Everything You Need To Know About Probiotics

2009-12-09T05:50:00.000-08:00

Article posted at : http://www.gicare.com

Probiotics are a relatively new field in nutrition and in our specialty of gastroenterology. A probiotic is one or more bacteria that most often you take in a pill or dairy product form. It is hoped that they take up residence in the human colon, compete favorably with the huge numbers of bacteria already there, and then provide health benefits. You are referred to our essay The Amazing Colonic Cauldron for details on the human colon. Here you will find an up-to-date description of our knowledge of what actually happens in a healthy human colon. You will learn how the colon operates like a smoothly running bacteria factory. The colon is a major health organ, especially if it is finely tuned with the right foods.

There are over 1,000 different species of bacteria that have been discovered in the colon.
The number of different species in most probiotic preparations range from one to six.
There are tens of trillions of bacteria already in the colon, the densest collection of bacteria anywhere in the world.
The number of bacteria in a probiotic preparations is perhaps 1-10 billion, a very small amount compared to what is already present in the colon.

Probiotics in the Healthy

Does taking a probiotic do anything for the otherwise healthy individual? Do we really “promote good intestinal health”, “increase immune factors” or “balance the digestive system”? This is what is advertised for probiotics. We in the gastroenterology field consider these somewhat nebulous terms. But it is what the FDA allows a probiotic manufacturer to say. For the otherwise healthy person, the answer is that we just don’t know what the long term benefits are. Studying the human colon with its enormous numbers of species and its gargantuan total number of bacteria is very difficult, time consuming and expensive. In the normal individual, trying to tease out one or two health benefits years down the road does not have great appeal to researchers nor food companies. If you are getting an adequate supply of fiber, from 25-35 grams of fruits and vegetables each day, you likely don’t need additional probiotic bacteria. Your own colon bacteria are growing just fine and providing lots of health benefits on their own.

Probiotics and Intestinal Diseases

Here the story may be different. Drug and probiotic companies find it much easier to study a group of people with a specific disease, give them a probiotic and see if they improve. So we have seen studies appearing in the medical literature suggesting medical benefits for the following:

Intestinal infection in small children and infants – Some probiotics appear to help clear these infections more quickly.
Intestinal infections with the nasty Clostridium difficile bacteria - This colon infection is rampant in hospitals – one probiotic in particular seems to help in clearing this infection.
Pouchitis – A pouch may be created by a surgeon from the small bowel during certain types of colon surgery. This pouch can then become infected. Certain probiotics have been shown to be helpful in clearing the infection and inflammation in the pouch.
Antibiotic use – Since every antibiotic taken by mouth will indiscriminately destroy huge numbers of healthy colon bacteria and provide a space for the bad, resistant bacteria to grown, many physician, especially pediatricians, may give a probiotic with an antibiotic. The benefit of this is still not firmly proven but it does make some sense.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – We now know that the bacterial makeup in patients with IBS is different than in those without IBS. We still don’t know what this means. Some early studies with certain probiotics suggest an improvement in certain symptoms such as bloating.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease – The data in these disorders and probiotics is very early. There are some suggestive benefits but nothing conclusive has yet been shown.
Allergies – There are some interesting medical studies that suggest infants and even expectant mothers who take a probiotic have infants who are less prone to allergies. Check with your physician.
Immune factors – The word immune is used by the probiotic and other dietary supplement manufacturers as a buzz word suggesting mysterious benefits with their products. However, your intestine and especially your colon already have an incredibly robust immune system. Some probiotics may increase certain immune factors but this may be no more than adding a drop to a bucketful of water. We are not sure if it does much good. Simply eating an adequate amount of vegetables and fruit fiber or taking a prebiotic powder will likely cause your present colon bacteria to maintain a very strong immune system in the colon.
Colon polyps and cancer – there are no medical studies to suggest any preventative benefit here.

Are There Any Negatives to Probiotics?

Even if you change the colon bacteria makeup in some manner, you would need to take the probiotic indefinitely as the colon will invariably revert to its original bacterial state within two or three weeks after you stop the probiotic.
No one knows the exact probiotic bacteria or group of bacteria that might be good for everyone. In fact, we know that there are huge variations in the individual colon bacteria make up. Just as each of our fingerprints is different, the bacterial content of the colon in each person is likewise different. What works for one person may not work for another.
Not only don’t we know what the right probiotic formula is for a specific healthy person, we don’t know what the dosage should be. The labels say “billions” of bacteria. Sounds like a lot doesn’t it? A lot must be good, right? But it is mostly guesswork. The colon already has trillions upon trillions of bacteria present. Another billion or so is such a tiny amount to add.
Probiotics can be expensive and since they are in the dietary supplement field and not a drug, most insurers will not pay for it.
The stomach makes a very potent acid. Strong acid of any type kills many bacteria. In most cases you need to get the probiotic through your stomach quickly so it doesn’t come in contact with your stomach acid.

Prebiotics

A prebiotic is not a probiotic. A prebiotic is a fiber which is present in many plants. Fibers go through the small bowel without being digested – i.e. no calories. In the colon, the prebiotic acts as a food and fuel source for the good bacteria that are already present. These good bacteria, in turn, can provide significant health benefits. Prebiotic soluble fibers are present in many plant foods. The ones with the most science behind them are inulin and oligofructose. These are found in the following foods: chicory root, leeks, wheat, onions, garlic, bananas, jicama, agave, wild yams and many others. Eating a high fiber intake of 25-35 grams a day (High Fiber Diet) will almost always assure you of getting an adequate amount of these valuable prebiotic fibers. A full essay can be reviewed by clicking Prebiotics.

Final Advice on Probiotics

If you are healthy, you likely don’t need probiotics, particularly if you eat 25-35 grams of vegetable and fruit per day.
If you have an intestinal disorder, see your physician regarding probiotics.
Select a probiotic as recommended by your physician and from a reputable manufacturer.
Yogurt and other dairy products have probiotics in them. However, I am amazed at how much sugar and how many calories are present in yogurt, especially the flavored kinds. I am not at all sure that the real benefit of calcium and the questionable effect of probiotics in the healthy outweigh the excessive calories and sugar in these products. Read labels, become knowledgeable and make your own decisions on yogurt.
Take a probiotic with meals rather than on an empty stomach so as to dilute it with food and keep it away from the stomach’s potent acid. In addition, go light on the fats and oils, either vegetable or animal, as any fat in food will delay the stomach’s emptying. The longer the probiotic stays in contact with the stomach acid, the more likely the acid will kill the bacteria.
Do not take a probiotic if you have any serious underlying medical problem without clearing it with your physician. In particular, this is a must if you have AIDS, HIV, an immune medical problem or are on chemotherapy.

Bottom Line

Your colon bacteria factory does just great if it is fed properly. Eating 25-35 grams of vegetables, fruits and grains a day is the healthiest way to promote and maintain good bacterial growth within the colon. Probiotics may be helpful in certain circumstances and with certain medical disorders. Check with your physician.

Chocolate Reduces Stress

2009-12-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

The study announced on Dec. 2, found that people who rated themselves highly stressed to begin with had lower levels of stress hormones after eating chocolate every day for two weeks. The study's subject ate 1.4 ounces
(40 g) of dark chocolate dialy, or less than a regular-sized Hershey's bar, which contains 1.55 ounces (44 g).

The doctors took urine and blood plasma samples from the participants at the beginning, halfway though, and at the end of the two week study, and found lower levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamines in the samples at the end.

The study was small, however -just 30 people- so further research is needed to verify the results.

The scientists, led by Sunil Kochhar of the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland, detailed their findings in the Oct. 7 issue of the Journal of Proteome Research.

"The daily consumption of dark chocolate resulted in a significant modification of the metabolism of healthy and free living human volunteers with potential long-term consequences on human health within only 2 weeks treatment," the researchers wrote in the paper. " This was observable through the reduction of levels of stress-associated hormones and normalization of the systematic stress metabolic signature."

The study adds to the growing body of research showing that certain elements in chocolate - such as antioxidants called polyphenols - can have helpful health benefits. Previous studies found chocolate can help fight heart disease and reduce the chances of developing cancer.

Of course, moderation is key. Since most chocolate products contain fat and sugar, it's possible to have too much of a good thing.

Learn how to culture your own Kefir and gain a healthy and sexy body at http://tinyurl.com/Kefirgrains4life

A Brief History About Kefir

2009-12-04T01:32:00.000-08:00

Kefir dates back many centuries to the shepherds of the Caucasus mountains. They discovered that fresh milk carried in leather pouches would occasionally ferment into an effervescent beverage.

In the Caucasian Mountains, legend has it that the resulting kefir "grains (not really a true grain) were a gift to Orthodox people from Mohammed, who instructed them on how to use the grains. Mohammed strictly forbade them from giving away the secret of kefir preparation to other people, or pass anyone kefir grains, because they would lose their "magic strength." The legend explains why kefir grains and the method for kefir preparation have been surrounded by mystery for so long.

For most of recorded history, kefir was scarcely known outside the Caucasian Mountains, although Marco Polo mentioned it in recounting his travels.

This self-carbonated dairy-based beverage continues to be popular in Russia, southwestern Asia and Eastern and Northern Europe, and has recently gained some popularity in the United States.

Posted at http://coproweb.free.fr/

What is Yoghurt?

2009-12-02T23:32:00.000-08:00

What is Yogurt?

Yoghurt or yogurt is a dairy product that is made from fermented milk. Fermentation of lactose produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yoghurt its texture and its characteristic tang. Soy yoghurt, a non-dairy yoghurt alternative, is made from soy milk.

People have been making—and eating—yogurt for at least 4,500 years. Today it is a common food item throughout the world. A nutritious food with unique health benefits, it is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

Nutritional value and health benefits

Yoghurt is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. It has nutritional benefits beyond those of milk. People who are moderately lactose-intolerant can enjoy yoghurt without ill effects, because the lactose in the milk precursor is converted to lactic acid by the bacterial culture. The reduction of lactose bypasses the affected individuals' need to process the milk sugar themselves.
Yoghurt also has medical uses, in particular for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, and in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. One study suggests that eating yoghurt containing L. acidophilus helps prevent vulvovaginal candidiasis, though the evidence is not conclusive.
Yoghurt is believed to promote good gum health, possibly because of the probiotic effect of lactic acids present in yoghurt.

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity (11 January 2005) also found that the consumption of low fat yoghurt can promote weight loss. In the trial, obese individuals who ate 3 servings of low fat yoghurt a day as part of a low calorie diet lost 22% more weight than the control group who only cut back on calories and did not have extra calcium. They also lost 81% more abdominal fat.

Yogurt VS Kefir

2009-12-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

Both kefir and yogurt are cultured milk products...

...but they contain different types of beneficial bacteria. Yogurt contains transient beneficial bacteria that keep the digestive system clean and provide food for the friendly bacteria that reside there. But kefir can actually colonize the intestinal tract, a feat that yogurt cannot match.

Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt,

Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species.

It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, which dominate, control and eliminate destructive pathogenic yeasts in the body. They do so by penetrating the mucosal lining where unhealthy yeast and bacteria reside, forming a virtual SWAT team that housecleans and strengthens the intestines. Hence, the body becomes more efficient in resisting such pathogens as E. coli and intestinal parasites.

Kefir's active yeast and bacteria provide more nutritive value than yogurt by helping digest the foods that you eat and by keeping the colon environment clean and healthy.

Because the curd size of kefir is smaller than yogurt, it is also easier to digest, which makes it a particularly excellent, nutritious food for babies, the elderly and people experiencing chronic fatigue and digestive disorders.

To learn more about the other benefits of Kefir go to http://tinyurl.com/Kefir4ahealthylife or go to http://tinyurl.com/Kefirvideocourse

Or to learn how to culture your own Kefir please visit this site http://tinyurl.com/Kefirgrains4life

All About Kefir: What is Kefir

2009-02-16T01:50:00.000-08:00

Kefir is pronounced (kef e-er). It is a refreshing cultured-milk beverage that is loaded with nutritional benefits. It is made by culturing fresh milk with kefir grains. Kefir grains are not to be mistaken for cereal grains; they are a soft, gelatinous white biological mass of proteins, lipids (fats), and a soluble-polysaccharide kefiran complex. They are famous for there vast mixture of specific friendly (LAB) Lactic-acid Bacteria and yeasts.

This is the most potent source of probiotics (friendly bacteria) you can find. In most probiotic pills found in stores you will find about 15 different strains of friendly bacteria, for example
(Lactobacillus bugaricus and Streptoccocus thermophilus) are just 2 of the more well known strains.

But once again Mother Nature has out done the laboratories, a natural kefir grain contains 42 different strains of friendly bacteria. There is no comparison here. Kefir grains are far superior to the probiotics you will find in a bottle.

While both Kefir and yogurt are cultured milk products, they contain different types of beneficial bacteria. Yogurt contains transient beneficial bacteria that keep your digestive system clean and provide food for the friendly bacteria that already are present. Kefir actually helps to colonize your intestinal tract -- a feat that yogurt cannot match.

KEFIR VS YOGURT

-Additionally, Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt: Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species. It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as Saccharomyces Kefir and Torula Kefir, which help balance the intestinal flora, including promotion of beneficial yeast in the body by penetrating the mucosal lining.

They form a virtual SWAT team that housecleans and helps strengthen the intestines.

Kefir's active yeast and bacteria may provide more nutritive value than yogurt by helping digest the foods that you eat and by keeping the colon environment clean and healthy. The curd size of Kefir is smaller than yogurt, so it's also easier to digest, making it an ideal food for babies, the elderly, and anyone with digestive health concerns.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

-If you’re looking for a good probiotic supplement go for the best, Kefir. Many manufacturers of probiotics claim that their pills contain 15 billion bacteria at the time of processing. And that it would take tubs of yogurt or gallons of kefir to receive the same amount of friendly bacteria.

First of all, lets not forget that these companies acquire their products directly from these whole food fermented-milk products. As I mentioned before, they pull nutrients out of whole foods and turn around and sell them right back to you.

Numbers don’t lie

* One capsule of man-made probiotics normally contains about 15 billion bacteria.

* One small bowl of fresh yogurt (500 ml), contains about 1.5 trillion beneficial organisms. – 100 times more than a 15 billion capsule.

* And one small bowl of fresh kefir (500 ml), contains as many as
5 trillion beneficial organisms. Almost 400 times more than a capsule.

Kefir and other fermented milk products contain buffering agents that nourish and protect the lactobacillus from bile acids in the stomach. This way they can make it into the intestines where they produce Vit. B-12 and help to breakdown and package food for excretion. Milk products are such strong buffering agents that even poison control centers recommend drinking milk when confronted with a poison situation.

Bacteria in pill form are in a dormant cycle and the bacteria in kefir and yogurt are alive and well, making them much more fit to adapt to sudden changes in environment as they enter the body.

These fermented milk products are considered functional foods because they function as health promoting foods. Probiotic pill supplements only offer one thing, bacteria. Fermented Milk offers much more; minerals, vitamins, amino acids, L-carnitine, good fats, antimicrobial agents and more.

Scientist tested the kefir in the Caucasus Mountains for any type of harmful bacteria. But much to their surprise, they found nothing. Deep in the mountains where sanitary conditions are much worse than ours, the scientist refused to believe there was no harmful bacteria to be found. Creating a possible scenario that a piece of animal fecal matter would fall into the milk, they injected the E. Coli bacteria into the kefir. Within 24 hours the E. Coli was destroyed by Kefir’s benificial bacteria. Kefir has also demonstrated the ability to kill H. pylori infections when bacteria alone could not. In addition, the complex microflora of kefir has also shown a keen ability to stimulate our immune system, ward off infections from salmonella, and in some cases even fight cancer.

Fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut are once again superior to pills in a bottle.

NOW, WHY SHOULD YOU DRINK KEFIR!
-It's an enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem" to maintain optimal health and strengthen immunity.

Kefir's tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, and it contains beneficial yeast as well as the friendly 'probiotic' bacteria found in yogurt. When used regularly, the naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in Kefir combine symbiotically to help balance your intestinal flora and boost your immunity.

Among its many beneficial powers, Kefir:

* Provides supplemental nourishment for pregnant and nursing women.

* Contributes to your healthy immune system help fortify patients suffering from AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, and cancer.

* Promotes a relaxing effect on the nervous system and benefit many who seek a restful night's sleep, and who suffer from depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

* Helps support your normal intestinal tract function, promote bowel movements and your healthy digestive system -- and is an absolute must after the use of antibiotics to restore balance to the digestive tract.

* Curbs unhealthy food cravings by making your body more nourished and balanced.

THE EFFECTS OF KEFIR:

-From experience of generations, here are some of the properties possessed by the real kefir.

* Regulates the body's immune system and improves resistance to diseases.
* Regulates the blood pressure, blood sugar and cures diabetes.
* Heals the lungs, bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma, allergies and migraine.
* Has a positive influence on the heart and blood, heals circulatory conditions.
* Heals various eczema, all skin disorders and leads to cure of acne.
* Heals the kidneys, the urinary tract and protects prostate.
* Has a positive influence on cholesterol, osteoporosis and rheumatism.
* Supports enzymes production and heals the pancreas.
* Improves the liver and gallbladder, regulates bile production, influences positively hepatitis.
* Regulates metabolism, digestion and heals diseases of the colon.
* Heals colitis, diarrhea, catarrh, reflux, leaky gut syndrome, candidasis and more.
* Rebalance the intestinal flora and stomach acid, heals duodenum and cures ulcers.
* Produces its own antibiotics, eliminates unfriendly bacteria, cures internal and external inflammations.
* Heals lactose intolerance and provides full digestibility of milk based products.
* Produces own anti-cancer compounds, prevents metastasis, and leads to cure.
* Slows the aging process, smoothes and improves skin, hair and muscle tonus.
* Reduces anxiety, depression, increases energy and feeling of wellbeing.
* Produces all necessary vitamins and beneficial bacteria needed for our healthy daily life.

Almost a century of scientific and medical research confirming the above is available from Dairy Research Institute in former USSR. With the worldwide cost of medical care getting inflated by chronic diseases, real kefir is gaining popularity not only for its health benefits, but also for its effects in lowering medical cost. With increasing resistance to antibiotics, intensive research of the real kefir is conducted in Europe and Japan. The results are supporting the experience of generations.

Make your own Kefir now!

Order your own kefir grains and start making your own kefir now through this very special course!