Is anyone taking kefir?

I read here about some peoples’ success with probiotics, and had been eating yogurt for the probiotic effect of that, when the dairy case at my supermarket began carrying a product which was much like yogurt but different. It was called kefir, and I began buying and drinking it. It seemed to help some, but the store quit carrying it, and the only local supply is a health food store in the upscale part of town. And it's quite expensive.

I have been culturing my own by adding 2% milk to the nearly empty kefir container and letting it ferment on the kitchen counter for a day or two. From what I read on the internet, that works but it can only be done for a few generations, then you need a fresh supply. There is something called "kefir grain" that supposedly can be used indefinitely. So I guess my question is, has anyone else gotten any relief by drinking kefir, and has anyone had any experience culturing it from kefir grain?

Post Edited (wodin) : 4/18/2011 5:09:10 PM (GMT-6)

Wodin, I have so many kefir grains I'm drowning in them- send me an email & I will send you some thru the mail, with some directions on brewing it. I've been brewing my own for well over a year now, & am actually drinking my morning smoothie as I type! I blend the kefir with frozen fruit & agave nectar. Anyway, I'm not sure how much it helps my UC, but it sure doesn't hurt it, I find it easy to digest, a good way to get a lot of fruit daily, & it's a tasty healthy breakfast. I figure the added probiotics can't hurt! I use either 2% or 1% milk- 2% does give a really thick, rich tasting kefir. Homemade kefir is far better than store bought too, in that it's not pasteurized after it's cultured. Much more living bacteria, etc.