I'm cookoo for Water Kefir!

[Deb]

I was making water kefir (after discontinuing making the dairy kefir) but gave it up as I preferred Kombucha. I may have to rethink that. Thanks for the info Zizzle. Deb

[gluten]

Hi Zizzle, I did read alot of information about the water kifer in order to avoid any potential problems. So, that has raised many questions. Did you start off with a small amount and build slowly? Do you take it for several days and then skip a few days. I was amazed that it produces alcohol and the amount can be varied according to fermentation time and if you leave the container open or closed. That makes an interesting thought about a patient report I read in the book "The Yeast Connection" It was about a man that always was drunk but did not drink. Did he have the right type of bacteria in his G.I tract that used the sugar in his diet the make the alcohol? Jon

[Eric]

My water kefir was from dehydrated grains which might explain why they became a smelly slimy sludge in a few weeks. My milk kefir grains are indestructible though and keep on pumping out new batches. That's very exciting that you've seen such changes in your bowel habits. For my water kefir, in addition to the sugar/food, I added some micro nutrients (liquid supplement) to try and help their nutrition.

[Zizzle]

Did you start off with a small amount and build slowly? Do you take it for several days and then skip a few days. I was amazed that it produces alcohol and the amount can be varied according to fermentation time and if you leave the container open or closed. That makes an interesting thought about a patient report I read in the book "The Yeast Connection" It was about a man that always was drunk but did not drink. Did he have the right type of bacteria in his G.I tract that used the sugar in his diet the make the alcohol? Jon

Jon,
I did not start slowly, and I probably should have. I started with a cup a day, which did slightly loosen my bowel habits for a few days. Within a week, everything was better than normal, and now, 3 weeks later, I continue to have textbook normal bowel habits, no D whatsoever. I have slightly more belching, but I attribute that to the slower digestion and elimination, and perhaps air/carbonation made by the kefir after I ingest it. Nothing bothersome, just more than when I was more used to frequent MC clean-outs.

The most important dose is in the morning on an empty stomach. I usually have another cup in the evening mixed with water and juice, but I avoid it around bedtime because I notice it keeps me awake. Weird!

I brought a teaspoon of grains in a ziplock on my business trip to Boston and brewed a cup a day in my hotel room!

Have you started making it yet? Anything to report?

[Lesley]

Reminder to self: get a jar!

[gluten]

Hi Zizzle, I have all the ingredients and will start making the kefir water. I will post the results. In researching about the water it mentions taking a few days off after using for multiple weeks. Also it has many more probiotic strains then any probiotic supplement. Interesting thought about not drinking beer. Stopped drinking beer many years before the dx of MC. Beer is fermented grains and now available gluten free. Jon

[DebE13]

Are they temperature sensitive? It snowed already and I'm wondering if left in the mailbox during the day, could they be ruined?

[Zizzle]

Regarding temperature, they brew faster and grow more in warmer household temps. They can almost hibernate in fridge temperatures, and they can be frozen and brought back to life. Mine were in my mailbox a few days before I checked it (oops!) and the bag was tight with air, as they were sent in fresh sugar water, but they were fine. Very resilient, these buggers. They do not like direct sunlight.

[bevfromwa]

Hi, Zizzle, I've been following this thread since you started it, done some research, and really want to try this. I've not found a probiotic I can take, so this sounds exciting.

I am wondering if the $6.99 portion is enough to get started?

thanks, Beverly

[Zizzle]

Yes, the starter mailing is enough to make at least 2 cups of WK, maybe more. By week 3 I was able to give 2 heaping tablespoons to a friend while still making 3.5 cups every 48 hours. Adding molasses and calcium carbonate from boiled eggshells helps them grow and reproduce.

[Zizzle]

Interesting article about die-off phenomenon, which I'm not sure I really experienced. I did experience dizziness and headache after drinking kombucha once, but I attributed that to histamines and/or yeast sensitivity, not die-off!

http://sensebynonsense.com/2011/05/12/f ... n-die-off/




And more reason to up the probiotics -- last week's news that RA is caused by a specific bacteria in the gut.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/ ... arthritis/

[gluten]

Hi, Zizzle, Interesting posts. When, I start taking any new supplement I always start off slowly to avoid any die off symptoms. The comment about the Ph I found interesting because three weeks ago I bought test strips to check my urine and saliva. The results are normal for the saliva and highly aciditic for the urine for the past two weeks. Lets see what happens when I take the " water kifer ". There is allot of research about the bacteria connection and arthritis. Jon

[robinc2525]

I love this post because it was the kick I needed to try water kefir. I've read about it for a while but after reading your post Zizzle I finally ordered the grains and they arrived today. Also, I just wanted to add that you can buy water kefir (someone posted earlier that they just wish they could buy it and try it). There is a brand called Kevita that is sold at my local grocery store and I know it's also available at Whole Foods. I noticed it today and bought one....the Coconut flavor because it has the least ingredients of the ones they had. The ingredients are water, the probiotic culture, organic coconut water, apple cider vinegar, organic natural coconut flavors and stevia. I'm anxious to make my own so I can have it plain.

I hope you are still feeling well Zizzle!

Robin

[Zizzle]

Interesting, I imagine WK made for commercial sale is more vinegary than the fresh stuff. I think you'll prefer the one you make yourself.

Here's a fascinating article about a fecal microbiome researcher. I was unaware of the protective effect of h.pylori. And the link between oral plaque bacteria and colon cancer. And gut dysbiosis and regressive autism....the list goes on and on.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/M ... story.html

The tiny bacterium Helicobacter pylori, one the few microbes that can live in the harsh acidic environment in the stomach, is one casualty. A century ago, it was the dominant microbe in people’s stomachs, but studies have found less than six per cent of children in the United States, Sweden and Germany now carry the tiny corkscrew-shaped bacterium.

Doctors initially thought it was good to be rid of H. pylori, as it increases the risk of ulcers and stomach cancer. But recent studies show people without the microbe are more likely to have hay fever and allergies. Dr. Martin Blaser at New York University has reported that eradicating H. pylori also affects two key hormones that regulate appetite, which could be helping drive the obesity epidemic.

[gluten]

Hi Zizzle, Read the article "Of Microbes and Men". A researcher from New York did a large study about H-pylori and reported that individuals with lower levels had higher asthma related symptons. The N.I.H awarded the Broad Institute at M.I.T 10 million to study microbes and how they effect the human biochemistry. Does your rash continue to improve? Jon