Yogurt vs Keifer

[Guest guest]

Hi K.C., here's something I send for informational purposes to people who

are interested. I have another " blurb " to send too. Actually kefir has a

lot more probiotics in it than yogurt. Here's the info:

Take care!

What's kefir

http://www.kefir.net/index.htm

Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly

micro-organisms that help balance your " inner ecosystem. " More nutritious

and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential

minerals, and valuable B vitamins.

a.. Kefir is simple and inexpensive to make at home.

b.. Kefir is used to restore the inner eco-system after antibiotic

therapy.

c.. Kefir can be made into a delicious smoothie that kids love.

d.. Kefir is excellent nourishment for pregnant and nursing women, the

elderly, and those with compromised immunity.

Kefir is a cultured product with amazing health attributes (for dogs and

humans). It contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly

found in yogurt, Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species,

and Streptococcus species. 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.

What if I'm lactose intolerant, don't do dairy

or don't digest milk products well -

is kefir right for me?

The beneficial yeast and friendly bacteria in the kefir culture consume most

of the lactose (or milk sugar). Eat kefir on an empty stomach first thing in

the morning before (or for) breakfast and you'll be delighted to find it can

be easily digested -- as numerous people who have been lactose intolerant

for years have discovered.

Learn More

Listen to a talk with Donna Gates and Economy, president of Helios

Nutrition, about the benefits of drinking kefir. Click here for side one,

and here for side two.

(plays on RealPlayer). Tips for making perfect kefir from milk.

Time and temperature are two important factors that determine how thick and

tasty your kefir will be. In the warmer months kefir may be ready to drink

in 18 hours. If you let it sit out too long at room temperature, it will

become thick and eventually start turning into cheese and whey. If your

kefir is " lumpy " and too sour, you are definitely leaving it out too long.

It should be creamy and " drinkable " .a little thicker than milk. At this

point, shake it well and place the kefir into your refrigerator. It will

thicken a little more since it is continuing to culture, but at a much

slower pace. Making kefir is an art, not an exact science. With each batch

you make, adjust the time until you get it just the way you like it. Each

area of the country and each kitchen seem to be a little different. Donna

finds that her kefir always cultures faster for her in California than in

Atlanta.

Kefir is a cultured, creamy product with amazing health attributes.

Kefir's tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt,

but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly 'probiotic' bacteria

found in yogurt. The naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine

symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly. It

is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible

complete proteins.

For the lactose intolerant, kefir's abundance of beneficial yeast and

bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left

after the culturing process.

How is Kefir Made?

Kefir can be made from any type of milk containing lactose: cow, goat or

sheep (not soy, rice or other non-lactose milk). it is slightly mucous

forming, the mucous has a " clean " quality to it that creates ideal

conditions in the digestive tract for the colonization of friendly bacteria.

Kefir is made from gelatinous white or yellow particles called " grains. "

This makes kefir unique, as no other milk culture forms grains. These grains

contain the bacteria/yeast mixture clumped together with casein (milk

proteins) and complex sugars. They look like pieces of coral or small clumps

of cauliflower and range from the size of a grain of wheat to that of a

hazelnut. Some of the grains have been known to grow in large flat sheets

that can be big enough to cover your hand!. The grains ferment the milk,

incorporating their friendly organisms to create the cultured product. The

grains are then removed with a strainer before consumption of the kefir and

added to a new batch of milk.

Both kefir and yogurt are cultured milk products...

....but they contain different types of beneficial bacteria. Yogurt contains

transient beneficial bacteria that keep the digestive system clean and

provide food for the friendly bacteria that reside there. But kefir can

actually colonize the intestinal tract, a feat that yogurt cannot match.

Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found

in yogurt, Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and

Streptococcus species.

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.

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,

invalids and the elderly, as well as a remedy for digestive disorders.

More than just beneficial bacteria!

In addition to beneficial bacteria and yeast, kefir contains minerals and

essential amino acids that help the body with healing and maintenance

functions. The complete proteins in kefir are partially digested and

therefore more easily utilized by the body. Tryptophan, one of the essential

amino acids abundant in kefir, is well known for its relaxing effect on the

nervous system. Because kefir also offers an abundance of calcium and

magnesium, which are also important minerals for a healthy nervous system,

kefir in the diet can have a particularly profound calming effect on the

nerves.

Kefir's ample supply of phosphorus, the second most abundant mineral in our

bodies, helps utilize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for cell growth,

maintenance and energy.

Kefir is rich in Vitamin B12, B1, and Vitamin K. It is an excellent source

of biotin, a B Vitamin which aids the body's assimilation of other B

Vitamins, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, and B12. The numerous

benefits of maintaining adequate B vitamin intake range from regulation of

the kidneys, liver and nervous system to helping relieve skin disorders,

boost energy and promote longevity.

The benefits of consuming kefir regularly in the diet

Easily digested, it cleanses the intestines, provides beneficial bacteria

and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins. Because kefir is

such a balanced and nourishing food, it contributes to a healthy immune

system and has been used to help patients suffering from AIDS , chronic

fatigue syndrome, herpes, and cancer. Its tranquilizing effect on the

nervous system has benefited many who suffer from sleep disorders,

depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

The regular use of kefir can help relieve all intestinal disorders, promote

bowel movement, reduce flatulence and create a healthier digestive system.

In addition, its cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish a

balanced inner ecosystem for optimum health and longevity.

Kefir can also help eliminate unhealthy food cravings by making the body

more nourished and balanced. Its excellent nutritional content offers

healing and health-maintenance benefits to people in every type of

condition.

Delicious Kefir Smoothie

Use one cup of thick fermented kefir " buttermilk "

Add fresh fruit to taste; honey to taste

Blend - voila! Delicious!

Spectacular Kefir Drink

Make kefir with the freshest milk possible and add as many of the following

ingredients as desired:

· 1 tsp. of unrefined flax seed oil

· Lecithin, which aids fat digestion, to taste

· Fiber, such as Nutri-Flax

· Probiotics (friendly bacteria)

· Natural flavorings or herbs such as stevia, nutmeg, cinnamon,

non-alcoholic vanilla or natural fruit flavoring

· Fresh or frozen organic fruits, strawberries, raspberries,

bananas, kiwi, mango etc.

Blend together for a delicious, nutritious breakfast, lunch, or snack and

enjoy!

Cool Kefir Dressing (No Oil)

· 2 cups fresh Kefir

· 1 heaping tbs. fresh parsley, chopped

· 1 heaping tbs. fresh chives, minced

· 1 heaping tbs. fresh lemon zest, finely chopped

· 1 heaping tbs. fresh garlic, finely chopped

· 1 tsp. sea salt

· 1/4 tsp. Herbamare TM

· 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum

1. Combine all ingredients (except xanthan gum) and blend thoroughly.

2. Slowly add xanthan gum and continue to blend until mixture thickens.

3. Full flavor will develop after 6 to 8 hours.

Note: Dairy products combine best with nonstarchy vegetables and acid

fruits. Don't hesitate to add a little Flax Seed Oil to this recipe.

Ready-made kefir

If you prefer to purchase ready-made kefir at your health food store (in

this form it is perishable and would be found in the refrigerated section),

the only such product approved by Body Ecology is made by Helios Nutrition.

You can call them toll-free at 1-888-3HELIOS (343-5467) to find out where it

may be available in your area. You can also visit their Web site at:

http://www.heliosnutrition.com