With estimates that the body has 10 times more bacteria than
cells (approximately 10 trillion), it becomes pretty clear that maintaining a
proper bacterial balance is vital for long-term health. An important factor in
that balance is plenty of probiotics (good bacteria) in order to keep the
optimal balance of 85 percent good bacteria to 15 percent bad bacteria in
check. These probiotic foods will help achieve just that.
Fermented vegetables
Man has been fermenting vegetables for thousands of years as
a way to preserve their harvest (much like pickling). However, it has been more
recently accepted that fermented vegetables are not just a good preservation
system but also an exceptional way to ingest high quality and live probiotics.
Consuming fermented vegetables keep bad bacteria and yeast
in check, as the lactic acid producing lactobacilli in these foods alter the
acidity in the intestine which helps prevent the overgrowth of unfriendly
bacteria, molds, and candida.
One of the most commonly fermented vegetables is sauerkraut,
which simply consists of cabbage, salt, and a culture starter if desired.
However, nearly any vegetable can be fermented and can be stored for months and
even years under the right conditions.
Kefir
Kefir is a fermented drink that can be made from milk,
water, grains, and coconut water. Although it is not a good preservation
method, the fermenting of these mediums can produce a probiotic-rich beverage
that is not only delicious, but also healing for the digestive system.
Consuming kefir will ensure your body is fed a wide variety
of beneficial bacteria that will enhance hydration and recolonize your gut and
mucous membranes. It also contains beneficial yeasts that are known to hunt
down and destroy pathogenic yeasts in the body, as well as detoxify the liver
and fortify the immune system.
All the ingredients you would need to make kefir are your
desired liquid, small amount of sugar (not required to start dairy kefir), and
a kefir starter (probiotic).
Kombucha
Made from sweetened tea that's been fermented by a symbiotic
colony of bacteria and yeast (a SCOBY, or also known as the "mother"
because of its ability to reproduce), kombucha has been around for more than
2000 years. However, it didn't gain popularity in the West until recently.
Consuming kombucha will introduce a wide array of enzymes
and bacterial acids that will detoxify your liver, aid in digestion, improve
your joint health, and boost your immune system.
The only ingredients you need to make kombucha are black or
green tea, some sugar, and a kombucha starter culture or SCOBY.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from fermented
apples and has pale to medium amber color. It can be substituted in many food
preparations for white vinegar, with exponentially more health benefits.
Consuming apple cider vinegar will introduce beneficial
enzymes, probiotics, and amino acids that will improve digestion, relieve
heartburn, stimulate the lymphatic system, help get rid of candida, and help
strengthen the immune system.
Making apple cider vinegar is a double fermentation process.
First, apples are fermented and reduced to cider, and then the cider is
fermented to create apple cider vinegar.
With all these foods, one can expect to introduce beneficial
bacteria, enzymes, and a host of highly digestible vitamins, minerals, and
nutrients. This will effectively clean up the digestive system, which will in
turn strengthen the immune system as well.
These foods just may be the cheapest and best form of healthcare.
Dominick Hussey
Osteopath and Functional Medicine Practitioner
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