Our Microflora

Ms H

We have trillions of bacteria, microflora living on our skin, in our mouth, nose and our intestines These bacteria take residence in our bodies from the day we are born and remain with us throughout our lives. The gut contains the largest numbers of bacteria and the greatest number of species compared to other areas of the body.  The human gastrointestinal tract contains stable population of bacteria that play an important role in nutrition, metabolism, regulation of immune function and protection. We know that the ideal pH in the colon should be between 6.7 and 6.9.  The colon needs to be slightly acidic, which inhibits the growth of undesirable bacteria like Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli. Our beneficial bacteria are made up of hundreds of different species, the principal two of which are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.  

These bacteria are found in the normal microflora of the intestine and research shows that they play an important role in improving digestion and intestinal health as well as helping to regulate the immune system. Some situations and lifestyle habits can damage gut bacteria such as taking antibiotics and drinking highly chlorinated water.  The effective ways to achieve healthy microflora  are the followings.

·      Traditional fermented foods

Eating fermented foods is the most natural way to improve gut flora and get the beneficial of probiotic bacteria. Fermented foods help to balance acetylcholine.  Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that enables the transmission of nerve impulses. Within the context of digestion, it helps increase the movement of the bowel, and can help reduce constipation. Fermented foods inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and are beneficial for people with diabetes. 

·      Probiotic supplements

Many people find it difficult to consume sufficient amount of fermented foods in this case an effective alternative is to take a probiotic supplements

Probiotic supplements help in; easing IBS, improving mood, soothing eczema, boosting immune system, aiding weight loss.

·      Lactic acid yeast wafers

Lactic acid yeast is a modified form of brewer’s yeast that works in your intestines to produce significant amounts of lactic acid. Lactic acid yeast wafers work the same way fermented foods do.

If we take probiotic supplement or/and eat traditional fermented foods will be enough to increase the number of beneficial microorganisms in our gut. These bacteria will then start to ferment more soluble fibre into products like butyric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, and propionic acid, which in order provide energy and improve our ability to absorb minerals, vitamins, and fat.

What Is Kefir and Why Is It Good For You?

By Carolyn Bray

I recently received Kefir from my brother and his wife who has been taking it for over a month. He wanted the rest of the family to try it, too. Why would he want us to try it?

Water Kefir (what I received) looks like a crystal with a jelly-like texture. I was told that it is good to drink it's water or eat it as is. I tried some Kefir grains, and it was tasteless.

Kefir is a bacteria that eats sugar, and is good to have after consuming high sugar foods. I had to do some research, and found out that Kefir was recommended in The 17 Day Diet, which has been widely received by millions of people. So, It must be good.

There are two types of Kefir: Water Kefir and Milk Kefir. Water Kefir can taste carbonated and bubbly, and be modified in various ways. Milk Kefir is sour and can be used like yogurt. Kefir is a probiotic. It's a healthy yeast & bacteria combination which helps the body digest foods and extract calories. There are many health benefits associated with having an increased supply of healthy bacteria. Good for digestive and intestinal health. Other types of probiotics are yogurt, miso, and tempeth.

What's great about Kefir is that it is a probiotic that you can manufacture yourself, as long as you take care of it. Kefir is a living organism, so you must be careful not to kill it. If you do things right, your Kefir will last a long time, and you will have plenty more that will grow from the first batch.

One of the things you need to be careful of is to not use metal utensils or bowls with the Kefir. Best to use plastic or glass. Also, don't use chlorinated water or filtered or distilled water, as they do not have the minerals that the Kefir needs. If you do use filtered water, you must add minerals back by adding more ingredients (molasses, egg shell, baking soda, unrefined sugar).

Unrefined sugar is best to use with Kefir so that it will grow. It also makes the liquid more fizzy and carbonated when done (compared with refined sugar). Do not use honey as it has antibacterial properties which will inhibit growth. There are a lot of YouTube Videos on how to prepare Kefir. What you add to the Kefir depends upon what you want the final outcome to be.

The basic recipe was easy to do. Here is one way: Put in Kefir grains (approx. ¼ to 1/3 cup) in a large glass jar. Add approx. 1/3 cups of (unrefined is best) sugar, and fill up the jar with approx. 3 cups of water. You could also add dry unsulfured fruit for extra taste if you want. Stir with a plastic spoon, and cover with a paper towel, secured with a rubber band. Be sure to store it away from direct sunlight. After about 2 -3 days you will see the Kefir grains start to float towards the top of the jar, and growing bigger. The water will be cloudier, too. That means that the water is ready to consume.

Use a plastic colander/strainer and drain the kefir water from the jar into another container. You can drink this while a new batch is fermenting. Rinse the Kefir grains, and put Kefir grains back into a rinsed jar to repeat the process over again.

The Kefir water could be used as is, or fermentedagain for a bubblier, carbonated drink. To do the 2nd fermentation you need to get a bottle that closes tightly. Pour Kefir liquid in the bottle, and add fruit or 100% fruit juice. Use approximately ½ cup of juice per 1 quart of Kefir liquid. Seal bottle, and shake. Leave on counter for 24 hours to ferment. After that, you can drink it over ice or put it in the refrigerator to have later (be sure to discard fresh fruit after 24 hours). Refrigeration helps to create bubbles, and protects the Kefir from over fermenting.

My favorite way to have Kefir is to make a Smoothie.

Here's the recipe I use:

Kefir Smoothie

Makes One Serving

1 cup Kefir liquid

1 cup frozen and/or fresh fruit (mixed berries)

1 Tablespoon olive oil or flaxseed oil

1 Tablespoon sugar

Mix in blender until smooth. Pour into a tall glass, drink with straw to prevent "brain freeze". Enjoy!

So many more recipes on the web. Try them out and see what works for you. Kefir is worth trying, you may be pleasantly surprised. By the way, our family is still having Kefir to this day.

Carolyn Bray, Author/Editor

[http://healthy-woman-tips.com]

Helping you make the right choices to get healthy and feel great!

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Six Reasons Not To Eat GMO Foods

By Linda Tremer  

Knowing what is in your food is a challenge. The challenge is that it is hard to tell what foods are genetically modified and what foods are safe. Here are six reasons why you do not want to eat genetically modified foods.

1. They are untested. Believe it or not the FDA and the USDA do not test genetically modified foods for safety. There is no way of knowing the long term effects of eating these foods. Some serious health risks have been reported.

2. We are eating pesticides, insecticides and herbicides when we eat GMO foods. The plant is altered to withstand massive amounts of pesticides and herbicides. These are sprayed on the field to kill the weeds and the bugs. The altered plant takes up the pesticides and herbicides and we eat these poisons. And the farmers are spraying more and more insecticides and herbicides on their altered crops.

3. If you have a food allergy you have no way of knowing what is in the food you are eating. In the past a nut gene was inserted into soy beans. Someone recognized that people allergic to nuts would be unaware of this and fortunately the project was canceled. But the gene used to modify the plant is often a trade secret.

4. A German Scientific journal reported that city dwellers had 5 to 20 times the limit of herbicides in their urine than the amount allowed in water. The amount of herbicides we are exposed to in foods is extremely high. Mother's breast milk has tested positive for at least one agrochemical. Some breast milk tested higher than the allowed level in cow's milk.

5. Vegetarians may be eating genes from fish, scorpions, insects and viruses without their knowledge. Meat is not safe either. Animals are fed corn and alfalfa which has been genetically modified. And cows, pigs and chickens have been altered to grow bigger and faster. Dairy products have genetically modified ingredients. Almost all corn syrup is genetically altered. Anything that has with corn syrup in it is a GMO food.

6. Gene transfer is carried out with bacteria and viruses. We have no way of knowing what harmful bacteria or virus has been used and is present in our food. Biotech companies do not have to disclose the presence of altered genes in their food.

These are only some of the reasons not to eat genetically modified foods. There are many other environmental and safety concerns. It is possible to eat healthy food. But we must know what foods are genetically modified in order to make that decision. Take the time to investigate bio technology and contact your representatives to insist on labeling our food.

Linda Tremer is the author of Food to Die For a mystery novel about genetically modified foods. She has also written The Persistent Ghost, and 57 Tips on Where To Meet The Opposite Sex. She has written many healthy living and weight loss articles for the website The Center For Weight Loss. Visit her web site LindaTremer.com

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Meat Diet Rapid Weight Loss Plan - Highlights of How High-Protein Diet Helps to Lose Weight

By Alexis Roger  

Are you looking information to start a new diet and lose weight quickly? It is believed that meat diet helps to get this goal. Like many other diet plans, meat diet has its pros and cons. Let's see why and how this specific diet plan can help you to lose a few pounds within days.

Meat and Satiety

Various scientific studies have shown that a high-protein diet is able to reduce appetite and consequently to help someone lose weight. Scientists think that a high level of proteins in the blood would be able to prevent appetite-stimulating hormones from playing its role.

Meat and Metabolism

Meat is rich in vitamins B. Vitamins B and weight loss go hand in hand. Do you know why? Vitamins B are able to speed up the body's metabolism. Meat such as lean beef, pork and chicken is an important dietary source of B-complex vitamins.

What's the meat diet plan?

1) Eat much more meat. Your daily intake of proteins should make up 30% of the total amount of calories. White meat is preferable. Try to choose parts of meat poor in fat.

2) Eat 50 % less carbohydrate such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits. Avoid eating white bread, white rice and pastries.

3) Reduce fat consumption to 20% of daily energy intake.

4) Eat smaller meals. It is allowed having snacks between the main meals when you feel a little bit hungry.

5) Exercise more!

Meat Diet Disadvantages

1) Meat is rich in lipids and especially in saturated fat acids and cholesterol. It is believed that foods containing a high proportion of saturated fat raise the level of cholesterol in the blood stream and cause heart disease.

2) High intake of meat causes excessive uric acid and could be responsible of various diseases such as gout, rheumatism and kidney stones.

3) Almost all commercial meat is contaminated in some way by toxins, bacteria and chemicals such as synthetic growth hormones and nitrates, that can affect deeply our health and well-being.

4) Some clinical studies have shown that people who regularly consume red meat have a higher risk of colon cancer.

5) The consumption of processed meats, such as pork, beef or lamb, may significantly increase rate of prostate cancer among men of various ages.

6) Scientists have also discovered that women whose diets were rich in meat such as beef or ham are more likely to develop endometriosis.

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Alexis Roger is a French biochemist who displays a great interest in international alternative medicine therapies. Visit also his website athttp://www.naturalexis.com

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