Kefir the key to great health!

I love Kefir.

Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt, Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species.Users have found that it

 aids in digestion, treats irritable bowel syndrome, improves the immune system, boosts energy, clears acne, lowers blood sugar, and cures many other ailments. Kefir has also been applauded in its treatment of tinea versicolor as well as other candida related conditions. It can restore bacteria that has been lost due to antibiotic use and poor diet. Kefir, when ingested regularly and in conjuction with a low-sugar, well balanced, nutritious diet can, can not only remove the outward symptoms of tinea versicolor but it can alleviate the physical imbalances that cause it.

1.  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. Helps in reducing cholesterol

 2. 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.

       

3. 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.
 Unlike yogurt, the lactose in Kefir is all digested by the time it is ingested, and some of the proteins have been broken down -- so even most individuals with sensitivities to milk can use it.***

    

 4. It prevents and treat yeast infections. Ladies it really works. Its been over 3 years and I have to say not 1 infection. Okay so might be asking what is yeast infection - itchy stuff u feel. It increases immunity during pregnancy and helps prevent infections such as yeast overgrowth.I took stonyfield yogurt and lifeway kefir thorughout my pregnancy and really believe it prevented me from testing positive in group b strep test taken later stage of pregnancies. Its a requirement for doctors to test if you have such bacteria and if tested positive, you will get antibiotics once get admitted to the hospital. It can be dangerous to give birth with no antibiotics if you test positive. Not only does kefir or organic yogurt treat it  but prevents such bacteria and yeast infections especially candida yeast.

  This is a post from national kefir association to back up what I just said.

"Working on the Labor and Delivery Unit at Prentice Women’s Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Alyson Lippman, RN, sees her fair share of patients with vaginal health issues. For pregnant women in particular, she says a bacterium called Group B Beta Strep, which lives naturally in the vagina and rectum, can cause trouble during a vaginal delivery. “There is potential for passing it to the baby, where it can be harmful and cause infection,” Lippman says. Standard protocol calls for all pregnant women to get tested at 36 weeks gestation; if there is an overgrowth, a woman will receive IV antibiotics during labor. As discussed throughout this article, antibiotics can make a woman prone to yeast infections. Lippman, a new mother herself, took acidophilus capsules throughout her pregnancy in an effort to help keep the Group B Beta Strep in check, reducing the need for IV antibiotics, but she says women can also drink kefir or yogurt (“ kefir is better because it contains more probiotics,” she says) to prevent a Strep overgrowth. (Of note: Lippman says many nurses in her labor and delivery unit drink kefir themselves!) Another pregnancy-related concern pointed out by Lippman: Yeast infections can occur on the breast and be passed back and forth between a mother and her nursing child. “If you’re regularly taking in probiotics, that would reduce your risk,” of acquiring an infection in the first place.."

For Pregnant women or those who become pregnant in the future:

How To Avoid Group B Strep and treating it before you deliver(if you test positive)

• Eat lots of good yogurt throughout pregnancy
• Try to avoid all antibiotics during pregnancy
• Throughout pregnancy eat fermented foods (they are high in probiotics) like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, homemade sauerkraut, and tempeh, to name a few.
• A week or two before the test, increase your probiotic intake.
• Get another Group B Step test done 2 weeks later (week 37/38) you can do it as early as 8 days later if you are running out of time.
• Continue treatment until labor starts or until water breaks – which ever happens first
•  
• A few drops 1-2 of  lavender essential oil  in warm water bath. Not only does the smell relax you but helps also.

  

Alternative Approach To Treating Group B Strep

“It’s well known that the percentage of babies who actually benefit from antibiotics is very small.  And, increasingly, the routine use of antibiotics during labor is causing problems with resistant GBS or resistant e. coli.

So, in this area, some OBs and pediatricians have a new approach; for cases of prolonged rupture of membranes, they’re only giving antibiotics if the mom runs a fever (100.4 or higher).  Otherwise, they just do a simple blood test on the baby (can be done from cord blood or a heelstick if they miss the cord blood opportunity) to check for C-reactive protein.  This is an indicator of an acute infection.  If it’s negative, everyone can be reassured that baby’s fine, even though mom didn’t get antibiotics; if it’s positive (for whatever reason!), then baby will be appropriately treated for an acute infection.  This has great potential for focusing the treatment where it is most needed and not exposing all the others to unnecessary side effects and increased risks from resistant bacteria.  HURRAY for progress!”   quoted from gentlebirth.org

  And besudes kefir avoid wearing tight pants, making sure air dry, avoid sugars and sweet stuff, balanced diet and maintaning good hygiene - being clean and if possible taking a bath/shower after sex.

6. Helps you lose weight.  kefir is a calcium powerhouse. One serving of dairy-loaded kefir provides 30% of your daily value of calcium and 28% of your daily value of protein (which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied).

7. Probiotics in breastmilk or formula helps with colic. So if you plan on breastfeeding take Kefir! Or buy a formula that contains probiotics. Within 7 days of treatment, 95% of infants treated with the probiotics had significantly improved symptoms compared to only 7% of infants in the simethicone group. Most importantly, there were no observed side effects with the probiotic administration, and the mother’s compliance to give the probiotics was good.
“Our data demonstrated that [probiotics] improved colicky symptoms within one week of treatment, and the safety profile of this probiotic makes it a valid alternative to all other therapeutic options in the treatment of infantile colic,” Dr. Savino.

   Available evidence suggests that there are multiple, independent causes of infantile colic, but it was recently reported that intestinal microbiota play an important role in the pathogenesis of the condition. Inadequate lactobacillus levels during the first few months of life may affect immune responses as well as the development of certain disorders, such as colic.
More research is needed to determine what specific probiotic strains are ideal for the
treatment of infantile colic. But the current research suggests that a safe alternative, such
as kefir probiotics, may help to quiet the tears of your loved one.

Along with using Kefir to treat Candida you also need to make sure you eat a diet that is balanced. It should be high in fiber, high in green leafy vegetables, low in starchy foods and you should be drinking lots of water to help flush out your body. Any grains you eat should be soaked before cooking and these will help the colon by adding fiber and moisture as well as helping to clear any mucus that can occur when using Kefir to treat Candida.Exercise will also strengthen the immune system and aid the battle against the yeast infection. 

Some attribute many different health benefits to Kefir that include;

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

Here are some of the known kefir health benefits:

1. Strongest natural remedy against any allergy
2. Strongest natural antibiotic without side effects
3. Treats liver disease
4. Treats gallbladder, dissolves gall bladder stones
5. Clears the body of salts, heavy metals, radionuclides, and alcoholic products
6. Cleans the body of chemical antibiotics
7. Treats kidney stones
8. Good bacteria in kefir are able to fight off pathogenic microorganisms
9. Lowers level of LDL cholesterol
10. Cleans the gastrointestinal tract
11. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
12. Treats gastritis
13. Treats pancreatitis
14. Treats ulcers
15. Prevents and treats colon cancer
16. Improves digestion
17. Improves the body functions
18. Improves the human immune system
19. Cures Candida
20. Cures hypertension
21. Stops growth of cancer cells
22. Speeds up healing process
23. Treats psoriasis
24. Treats eczema
25. Treats inflammatory diseases
26. Reduces size of tumors
27. Treats heart disease
28. Reverses calcination of blood vessels
29. Clears the blood vessels
30. Boosts the bodies energy
31. Natural “feel good” food
32. Treats lung infections
33. Normalizes metabolism thereby can be used as for weight loss
34. Cures acne
35. Has anti-oxidants and anti-aging properties
36. Nourishes hair
37. Treats the gum disease parodontosis
38. Lessens effects of medicines
39. Replenishes body of good bacteria after antibiotic
40. Balances the microflora of the body’s digestive system
41. Regulates blood pressure
42. Lowers blood sugar
43. Lowers blood lipid levels or cholesterol and fatty acids
44. Treats diarrhea
45. Treats constipation
46. Promotes bowel movement
47. Anti-stress properties
48. Treats sleeping disorders
49. Treats depression
50. Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
51. Improves the brains neuro functions like reflexes, memory retention, attention, the five senses
52. Reduces flatulence
53. Lactic acid fermentation enhances the digestibility of milk based foods. People who cannot otherwise digest milk, can enjoy the vital calcium rich Kefir.
54. Treats yeast infection
55. Eliminates vaginal odors
56. Cures wrinkles
57. Treats arthritis
58. Treats colitis
59. Treats gout
60. Cures migranes
61. Treats rheumatism
62. Treats other stomach disorders
63. Detoxifies the body
64. Improves protein quality of milk, and enhances absorption and digestion
65. Good bacteria manufacture B vitamins such as B3, B6 and folic acid.
66. Aids in treating tuberculosis
67. Treats stomach cramps
68. Treats chronic intestine infections
69. Treats liver infections
70. Treats asthma
71. Treats bronchitis
72. Treats sclerosis
73. Treats anemia
74. Treats hepatitis
75. Healing effects on catarrh, digestive nodes, astral nodes, bilious complaints
76. Treats leaky gut syndrome
77. Prevents metastasis
78. Cures bad morning breath

 

Okay people, Dannon light and fit Yogurt is not really yogurt!! It contains corn syrup and junk. And also activia is just mere shenenigan! It does have some acidolliphus and other bacteria but also junk. Your best bet would be drinking kefir or organic yogurt like Stonyfield. Please read the label, if it says corn syrup or junk don't purchase.


And highly recommend Lifeway Kefir. And if you are gluten free it is gluten free. Its sort of a dinkable yogurt but highly beneficial. Lifeway Kefir comes in so many varieties - apple, banana, berries, vanilla, pomegranate...Also availlable is plain real Kefir, low fat and organic.

Kefir is a cultured probiotic beverage similar in taste and texture to drinkable yogurt, and made from milk fermented with kefir cultures. Originating over 2000 years ago in the Caucasus Mountains-where many people live well over 100 years-kefir has been collecting a long list of health benefits. These include potential benefits such as:
•    Enhancing the immune system
•    Stimulating digestion
•    Easing lactose intolerance
•    Lowering cholesterol
•    Controlling the growth of harmful yeast overgrowth.


Lifeway Kefir has twelve - 12 different live and active cultures that help promote myriad health benefits. These cultures multiply in large numbers throughout the fermentation process, and increase what is known as the bacteria count. This bacteria count is measured in "CFU," which stands for colony forming unit and allows you to know how many good bacteria you are getting. Lifeway Kefir contains seven to ten billion CFU’s per serving, depending on certain factors such as the number of days from the expiration date.

For Lifeway's coupon $1 off - click here - http://lifeway.net/Store/UserAccount.aspx 

SMOOTHIE RECIPE

2 cups of plain kefir/ greek yogurt or organic plain yogurt or any type you prefer(KEFIR WOULD BE BEST!!!!)

1 banana

1/4 cup organic apple juice

1 cup frozen organic strawberries or any berry you love

1/2 - 1cup of spinach

• Blend spinach, orange juice and milk together first. I use the ‘liquify’ option on my blender.
• Once the spinach has blended well, add all other ingredients and blend.
• If using fresh fruit, you can add in some ice cubes for more of a frozen consistency

Blend in a blender and serve!

You can purchase Kefir at whole foods, fresh market, trader joe's and any organic supermarket.
So sharing my few workouts besides belly dance, abs and here is one I love Zumba. Have fun and stay healthy with Kefir!