Prepating for Cold and Flu Season...Step 1 Probiotics!

Homemade Probiotic Drink: Kombucha

 What are probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms similar to the "friendly" bacteria found naturally in the body's digestive system. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) of Maryland states that we each house two to five pounds (1.0 to 2.26 kilograms) of live bacteria inside our bodies. 

How do probiotics work?

Unlike antibiotics, which work by killing bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly, probiotics work with your body.  By boosting populations of beneficial bacteria, you effectively crowd out the bad bacteria, at at the very least make it more difficult for them to thrive.

Do probiotics really help with colds and flu?

 Yes.  After an 18 month study that examined the effect of probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis on children aged 3 to 5, the results showed that:

• the Lactobacillus acidophilus group had 53% fewer fevers, 41% fewer coughs, and 28% fewer runny noses than the placebo group
• the group given both bacteria strains had 72% fewer fevers, 62% fewer coughs, and 59% fewer runny noses than the placebo group
• the Lactobacillus acidophilus group recovered from cold symptoms 32% faster and the two-bacteria group recovered 48% faster than the placebo group, when they did get sick, with less antibiotic use (68% and 84% less, respectively)

In the article "Probiotics and the Flu", the National Kefir Association states:

 Probiotic-containing foods like kefir are essential during cold and flu season for preventing offending molecules from entering the bloodstream and creating reactions that can cause symptoms of ill health. South Africa-based Ingrid van Heerden, D.Sc, "DietDoc" for www.health24.com, says that probiotic containing foods like kefir are important for maintaining a strong natural defense system because they stimulate the production of immunoglobulin in the intestines, which improves the body's immune response.

 A recent survey of kombucha drinkers indicated that 82% felt they had increased resistance to cold and flus.

Other studies have shown similarly positive results. If you consider how much surface area there is in the digestive track (some estimates calculate that it forms up to 70% of the immune system), it makes sense that keeping it healthy helps keep you healthy.

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and (IBD) inflammatory bowel disease are other ailments that plague many people as they age. New studies are showing that certain probiotics can help with IBS and IBD symptoms, too – without the side effects of medications. To address problems in the intestinal tract, researchers have focused on probiotics that remain intact past the stomach (yogurt is not going to help much), such as Lactobaccilus plantarum 299v. Lactobaccilus plantarum species are commonly found in milk kefir (along with many other beneficial bacteria and yeasts).  (You can see my post on fermenting yogurt and milk kefir here, along with my "secret weapon" for cold weather fermenting.)

If you purchase probiotics, make sure you look for live and active cultures (read the label – you want good bacteria that are still frisky). Watch out for brands that are full of sugar and/or artificial ingredients. These work against your body’s ability to heal.

I know many of us are looking for ways to keep our food budgets low while still preparing healthy foods for our families. Fermenting at home can provide healthy foods for pennies on the dollar compared to store products.