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Posted 1/22/2011 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone find kefir beneficial?
Posted 1/22/2011 6:51 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, it's easy to buy and story and consume.  I have used it with success.  I don't use it daily but I did during a flare.  Everyone here talks about live cultures and the need for refrigiration.  It definitely has that.  I would recommend it.

MyUC

Posted 1/22/2011 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is beneficial to your overall health but I doubt it will considerably improve UC symptoms.
Posted 1/22/2011 9:57 PM (GMT 0)

let me put this way.  You can definitely add Kefir to your arsenal of probiotics.  It certainly won't hurt.  You of course can buy very expensive probiotic mixtures that have zillions of bacteria counts.  For me personally I have used VSL, PB8 both these were recommended by my GI doc.  But Kefir makes for a great medium to grow your own probiotic mixture if your into that.  I believe it made a differance for me.  You should consider it.

MyUC

Posted 1/22/2011 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
I started making kefir with raw milk and kefir grains for my Dad after a bad flare last June. He came out of the hospital after IV pred and oral pred with no real improvement. He started drinking one or two eight oz. glasses and it put him in remission. He got tired of drinking it this fall and went into another bad flare. If I could convince him to drink it again, I believe it would put him in remission again but he can't stand the taste. Kefir made from actual kefir grains is supposed to have trillions of probiotics per small serving and around 40 strains of beneficial bacteria plus beneficial yeasts. As the kefir grains multiply, you eat the extras for a super hit of probiotics.

Everything you want to know about kefir can be found here:

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

The author of this site cured his colitis with kefir grain enemas. His protocol is on this site.
Posted 1/22/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I too brew my own kefir- got the grains from a woman I work with, & have been making it for a good year + now. I use 1% organic cows milk. I love it! It's basically breakfast every day, I blend it with frozen fruit & agave nectar. That way, I can get a hefty helping of fruit daily- if it's blended (the fruit) I find it easier to digest. As far as helping with my UC.... well, I don't think it's hurting, that's for sure, but I'm not sure how much it helps. Yes, it has tons of living cultures, & if you brew it yourself, it has far more bacteria than store bought pasteurized kefir. So it's definitely beneficial overall. I do find, if I skip drinking it for a few days, I do tend to have more bathroom trips. I don't eat the grains, they're too gross & rubbery, but I give them away. They multiply fast, so every month or so I'll stick up a "free kefir grains" post on freecycle or craigslist. I've even mailed them, some to people on this forum. I highly doubt store bought kefir is too beneficial- the bacteria levels are negligible. But homemade, that's another story. It tastes really good, as long as you blend it with a little sweetener & fruit.
Posted 1/23/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)

Eva Lou said...
I too brew my own kefir- got the grains from a woman I work with, & have been making it for a good year + now. I use 1% organic cows milk. I love it! It's basically breakfast every day, I blend it with frozen fruit & agave nectar. That way, I can get a hefty helping of fruit daily- if it's blended (the fruit) I find it easier to digest. As far as helping with my UC.... well, I don't think it's hurting, that's for sure, but I'm not sure how much it helps. Yes, it has tons of living cultures, & if you brew it yourself, it has far more bacteria than store bought pasteurized kefir. So it's definitely beneficial overall. I do find, if I skip drinking it for a few days, I do tend to have more bathroom trips. I don't eat the grains, they're too gross & rubbery, but I give them away. They multiply fast, so every month or so I'll stick up a "free kefir grains" post on freecycle or craigslist. I've even mailed them, some to people on this forum. I highly doubt store bought kefir is too beneficial- the bacteria levels are negligible. But homemade, that's another story. It tastes really good, as long as you blend it with a little sweetener & fruit.

How do you make your kefir? How long do you ferment at room temp? 24 hours? Do you then ripen the strained kefir for another 24 hours? If you do this, it increases the probiotic count even more and eliminates all the lactose. Try blending up your extra kefir grains with your fruit and kefir. You won't even notice them.
Posted 1/23/2011 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
I used kefir for several months last summer.  I really really wanted to like it but after fermenting for 24 hours it was so sour I detested the taste.  I blended it up with fruit and honey but there was still this aftertaste that I didn't like.  I also didn't notice any change in my symptoms after drinking a lot of kefir during the summer, so I finally ate up all the rest of the grains and that was it.  I still wouldn't mind trying it again but I know I won't like the taste any better...  On the other hand, I have a friend who makes her own kefir and LOVES it.  She and her family do exactly the same thing I was doing but they all guzzle down the product and really like it.  Maybe it's a matter of individual taste.  Seems like it shoud be loaded with good probiotics as long as you don't have any issues with the milk proteins.
Posted 1/23/2011 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Milk proteins and lactose shouldn't be a problem if it's fermented long enough. The fermentation process eliminates the lactose and breaks down the casein into easily digested protein. I agree about the taste but there are people out there that absolutely love it. There is a video on you tube of a family that drinks 2 gallons of kefir a day and the kids are crazy for it and really go nuts for eating the extra grains.

I don't have IBD (my Dad does) but I have been drinking it everyday  because I recently had to take antibiotics after dental surgery and it constipates me.

zucchini said...
I used kefir for several months last summer.  I really really wanted to like it but after fermenting for 24 hours it was so sour I detested the taste.  I blended it up with fruit and honey but there was still this aftertaste that I didn't like.  I also didn't notice any change in my symptoms after drinking a lot of kefir during the summer, so I finally ate up all the rest of the grains and that was it.  I still wouldn't mind trying it again but I know I won't like the taste any better...  On the other hand, I have a friend who makes her own kefir and LOVES it.  She and her family do exactly the same thing I was doing but they all guzzle down the product and really like it.  Maybe it's a matter of individual taste.  Seems like it shoud be loaded with good probiotics as long as you don't have any issues with the milk proteins.


Post Edited (Jokerlola) : 1/22/2011 10:26:38 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/23/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Jokerlola, I ferment mine at room temp anywhere from 36-72 hours! When it's cold (I live in New England), it takes longer to thicken up, & I prefer mine pretty thick. The longest I've let it sit is about 3 days. Then I strain it, & store the kefir in the fridge. It does still ferment while in the fridge too. I know that tip about blending the grains up, I may have to try it as I am currently overrun with grains. I've got to strain some today, & rotate the grains. I don't get any sour aftertaste- I've found too, that the longer it ferments the less sour it becomes, it sort of mellows. That may be an issue with those of you who find it too sour, let it ferment another day or so.
Posted 3/20/2012 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
What about Lifeway Kefir from Whole Foods? It says that it contains probiotics. Is this true, or is the only true kefir something that is made at home?
Jay
Posted 3/20/2012 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Store bought kefir will contain some probiotics, about as much as store bought yogurt. However, both these products are pasteurized, which kills off much of the beneficial bacteria. I suppose you could say the only "true" kefir is brewed from live grains, at your home. Home made has far more beneficial bacterias. I have posted grains on freecycle & craigs list, & more people than you'd think have them to offer.

Posted 9/19/2013 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Store bought kefir is junk.

It's best to ferment your own, preferably from raw goat or cows milk.
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