Guest guest Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 Over the past six months or so, since we've been serious about using kefir, ironically, it's become increasingly hard for me to use the bathroom. ~I have learned from an NT expert that with kefir, fermenting over 24 hours will contribute to constipation and less than 24 hours will do just the opposite! I also learned (all of this in the past week!) that Kombucha is a diuretic (it helps you go – if that is what diuretic meansJ). I am finding that I have to drink about a pint a day or I get constipated as well. Since going on a variation of the GAPS diet, it is becoming increasingly easier to become “stopped up” but this helps a lot with “loosing up”. Hope this helps! Chrissie Bunnyearsfamily Heritage Farm firstclassskagitcounty.org Stanwood, WA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 I forgot to mention that the Kombucha, to be effective, needs to be “diabetic Kombucha”. That is, it needs to ferment for 3 weeks or longer. Most of the sugar needs to be eaten up by the SCOBY so there are very little carbs. It can be fermented as long as 6 weeks if you like, but for those that like the less tart and sour, 3 weeks is a good goal. Chrissie Bunnyearsfamily Heritage Farm firstclassskagitcounty.org Stanwood, WA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 I can almost promise that magnesium will cure this unless you have a physical obstruction (rectocele, cystocele). Take to bowel tolerance. When I first started eating naturally, I was lucky to go once a week and was taking all kinds of different laxatives. Then I discovered magnesium and no more problems even though my kefir is fermented for days to remove the lactose. Magnesium citrate (or another organic salt is best). Avoid Magnesium oxide. It is very irritating to the bowel and poorly absorbed. Initially I was taking 4 gms a day. After a few months, I was able to cut down to 1 gm/day and have been fine. I take it in divided doses, 3 times a day. Good Luck. Patty > > I have become enema dependent again. :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 > > ****Is this going to be the story of my life, or, when we can > finally do the whole GAPS thing the right way--Biokult and all--will > I get a healthy enough gut to be regular without help again?***** > > BTW, I've also tried the Garden of Life brand (Jordan Rubin-Maker's > Diet man) of seed fiber, which is supposed to help you be regular. > I couldn't tell any difference. And I assure you, I'm a HUGE water > drinker! > > in TN > , Eat beets daily or take quantum betaine hcl (beet derived hydrocloric acid). This REALLY worked for me. Sounds like your body may not be producing enough hcl? bio-kult, the gaps diet (been 100% 5 months now) and switching to more veg (but still high fat) and less meat helped my metal and physical health tremendously. i lost 15+ pounds and am going through major detox even after 5 months. -Aimee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 I almost always ferment kefir longer than 24 hours, largely b/c I start with a gallon-sized jar of cold milk, so I assumed it'd take longer since it needs to warm up first. Also, didn't I read that the probiotic effect is higher from kefir cultured a bit longer than 24 hours? I guess at this point I don't care if it's much higher or not, if that's what is contributing to the constipation. However, it can't all be the kefir's fault, b/c I don't drink THAT much! About kombucha, I thought " diuretic " meant a substance which caused you to drain more water (urine) from your body. If that's the case, it seems kombucha would not allow as much water to put towards making a soft stool. Just wondering. The " diabetic kombucha " makes sense. With it taking that long to make, however, I need to start different batches at different times in order to always have some on hand. As we've stopped having so many " treats " around, the kombucha is getting more and more appealing to everyone in the family. It seems " fun " and " special " . Did I already tell y'all that, when I first got the mushrooms a few months ago, I told the kids I was making bugger juice? Even though they know I'm kidding (I kid all the time), I think the name gave the special drink even a bit more mystery, making them feel daring as they drink it! in TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 So I should be taking magnesium along with our bedwetters? That never occurred to me. I remember Mama, who also has been constipated her whole life of 76 years, always keeping a blue bottle of Milk of Magnesia--gag!--in her medicine cabinet. How many mg.s are in a gram? The pills I found for the children to take are in 100 mg. capsules. Can you do the math for me? (I turn a lot of our homeschool higher math--and metric--problems over to my husband when the high schoolers have questions! It's never been my thing.) Thanks! in TN PS--Meanwhile, is it OK if I keep doing enemas? And once this magnesium gets into my system, will I know if I need to go naturally, or do I need to quit the enemas and suffer until the urge wakes up again? > > > > I have become enema dependent again. :-( > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 Which at that point is actually vinegar. Hmm. I think I would in that case skip the 'boucha and just drink raw cider vinegar.MaureenI forgot to mention that the Kombucha, to be effective, needs to be “diabetic Kombucha”. That is, it needs to ferment for 3 weeks or longer. Most of the sugar needs to be eaten up by the SCOBY so there are very little carbs. It can be fermented as long as 6 weeks if you like, but for those that like the less tart and sour, 3 weeks is a good goal. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2008 Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 , The first thing you need to know is that each salt (the word following magnesium) gives you a different amount of actual magnesium. In other words, if you take 1 gram of Magnesium Oxide it would be approximately equivalent to 888mg of Magnesium Citrate. Each one is different but to get one gram you would need 10 of what you are giving the kids. I also don't know how much actual magnesium in those caps because I don't know what salt it is. Magnesium oxide is the cheapest and will very likely cause a bowel movement if taken in large enough quantities, but will also tend to cause diarrhea and cramping. Magnesium citrate is the next cheapest and the one I would recommend using. It will still help with bowel movements, but less likelihood of diarrhea and cramping. It is much better absorbed than the oxide also. When I said take to bowel tolerance, take 500mg an hour (make sure you're home and near a toilet, lol) until you have diarrhea. The next day take that amount spread out over the day. If you still have diarrhea, back off about 200 to 250mg each day until you find the dose where you have comfortable bowel movements. After a while, as your body builds its stores back up, you will probably notice your stools getting loose. When this occurs, simply cut down the dose. Initially I was taking 4 grams a day. I now take 1 gram a day of Mag Citrate. Also, if you can get powder, it's easier to manipulate teh dose. I get the Mag citrate powder (NOW brand) at wwww.iherb.com. It's very reasonable. Anytime you feel full or constipated, simply increase the magnesium. Unless you have kidney problems, it's almost impossible to overdose. If you do it this way, you really shouldn't need the enemas. Talking about magnesium and bedwetting made me think of something else. I had problems with a " leaky " bladder if I coughed, laughed etc and often could not make it to the bathroom at night. I just realized that since I've been taking the magnesium and eating the way I do, that that particular problem is long gone. If you can, read the book " The Miracle of Magnesium " by Dr. Carol Dean. http://www.calmnatural.com/miraclemagnesium Hope this helps a little. Patty > > > > > > I have become enema dependent again. :-( > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 I thought so as well when I first heard of it and I hate sour things, can’t stand even plain yogurt! I then talked to a NT “master” and she said if it is brewed in a cooler environment it won’t gain the tart, mouth-pucker sour effect. That it is much milder. If the Kombucha is brewed in a warmer environment (say 65 degrees or higher) it has the tendency to gain that tart, mouth-pucker sourness. This gal brews hers in her shed during the winter (PNW winters are pretty mild) and I’m anxious to hear where she brews in the summer. Amazingly enough, after 3 weeks – my max – it still has the apple cider taste to it and no sweetness. I think I am actually beginning to like it! Chrissie BunnyearsFamily Heritage Farm firstclassskagitcounty.org N. Snohomish/Camano Is. WAPF Which at that point is actually vinegar. Hmm. I think I would in that case skip the 'boucha and just drink raw cider vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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