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[Dorothy]

Has anyone else tried Kefir, and if so, what were your experiences of it?

A friend gave me some of the 'mother' a couple of weeks ago and I've been drinking some every morning since then (about a single-portion yoghurt container full per day)  I don't know if it is coincidence or just part of the meno roller-coaster, but after the first couple of days I've had no tummy/digestive issues and I have much more energy than I have had for a long time.

Of course, it may just be the fine weather or where I am at on the meno journey or even a placebo effect (though I wasn't expecting it to make a difference), but I'm enjoying it while it lasts!  Just wondered if anyone else had tried it?

[Daisydot]

Hi Dorothy I've sung the praises of kefir milk many times on the forum I'm so pleased it's helping you have a google and you'll get much more info on it,I would suggest you limit it to a half glass every other day and give yourself a rest from it every couple of weeks if you read up on it you'll learn why,dr axe is a good website for learning about the gut you could maybe have a look at that too,good luck xx

[groundhog]

Hi Dorothy,
I recently tried kefir but it gave me bad diahorrea. On saying that I probably overdid it as my gut isn't normal ( I have an ileostomy and a fistula ),  i should have started off more slowly.

On saying that, my consultant raves about probiotics and has recently suggested I try VSL which is also a probiotic,  so I'm giving that a go, half measures though just to see how it goes.

Good luck!

[Dorothy]

Hi Dorothy I've sung the praises of kefir milk many times on the forum I'm so pleased it's helping you have a google and you'll get much more info on it,I would suggest you limit it to a half glass every other day and give yourself a rest from it every couple of weeks if you read up on it you'll learn why,dr axe is a good website for learning about the gut you could maybe have a look at that too,good luck xx

Everything I've read so far says you should have it daily and can drink as much as you like (although I'm only having half a glass a day)  Could you give me the link which explains why it's important to limit your intake and have a break as I'm obviously reading the wrong sites - one even said how you should NOT take a break if you can avoid it!

[Daisydot]

Hi Dorothy sorry I can't give you the link. I researched it very thouroughly  before I started on it as I was suffering from some serious food reactions and seeing an allergy specialist at the time to try and build up my natural immune system so I was understandably wary of trying new things were not in my food chain.
There is a reaction called herxheimer reaction which is a kind of die off that you can get with kefir so have a google type in kefir and herxheimer reactions and you'll see what I mean.Its not to say you'll get that but it's always better to research anything new then you know what's happening if you do suffer and you can then tailor it better to suit you.
There's various styles of kefir you can try cows milk goats milk sheeps milk coconut water or just plain water it's down to personal tastes.
It's also normal for kefir to cause diahorrea and that's another reason to start off slowly and alternate days with a break after a couple of weeks remember your riddling the body of toxins and kefir leaves probiotics standing you won't find a better way of getting your probiotics.
Good luck x

[Daisydot]

Ps Dorothy the “ Mother” is a term normally used in apple cider vinegar I've never heard it used in kefir milk.This is made from kefir grains and when you make your first batch you would normally make subsequent batches useing a spoonful of the kefir milk from the first batch for a period and so on until the consistency is too watery then you'd start over again using fresh kefir grains.
There's a lot to read about it so delve in and read the various opinions on it.

[suziq99]

I haven't heard that method daisydot. As far as I know you just keep using the same grains, I've been making it for a while, started off giving it to the dogs as one of them was on golden paste for her arthritis & it helped it all go down easily. I like it instead of yoghurt for loads of things. Had no side effects from it.

[Daisydot]

I'm guessing it depends which grains you use too suziq99 so as I said each person has to research the info on it as there are so many variations on the use of it,I've simply given my experience with it and I was lazy and preferred shop bought kefir in the end up.I don't take it as much as I should.good luck with whatever method you choose but if you know the pitfalls that “ could” happen then it'll maybe help you not give it up too soon.x

[suziq99]

Totally agree with you there, also find it can be a pita if one day you don't fancy it you can get a back log pretty quick & shop bought seems mostly to have a nicer mild taste.
I'm also finding it ferments to quick in the hot weather & two slow in the fridge. 😮

[Dorothy]

Thanks for the advice - I've googled and it seems I've been very fortunate since I haven't had any of the adverse reactions!!!  Maybe because I already eat a lot of varieties of veg and live yoghurt so maybe my insides were in reasonable shape to start with?  I'm moving in a few days so I'll maybe have a break after that, just to be on the safe side.  If it is the kefir that's made me feel so much better, I don't want to risk losing the good effects pre-move!

All my knowledge has come from the friend who gave me the kefir and she was very keen that you should have it every day without fail!  I guess  she used the term 'mother' because the concept is similar to vinegar (I grow mine the way SuziQ mentions, just straining the kefir off each day and topping up with fresh milk.) 

[CLKD]

'mother' is usually the starter, same with that cake I made years ago: the starter was given to me and had to be used/activated within so many days.  Reminded me a bit of a 'chain letter'  but there is only so much cake one can eat in a week 

I can't fancy Kefir myself .......... though Michael Mosley [I think] suggests it.

[Spangles]

Love it!
I buy it from the supermarket ready made, various flavours, just like a yogurt drink. I just have a good glug every morning and it sorts my gut right out. I would not be without it xXx

[Daisydot]

Morning Spangles, is it the Waitrose flavoured ones you buy,I quite fancy tryng the cherry one it gets good reviews I'm too lazy to be bothered making it and the farms are too expensive with it.I usually buy the Asda kefir milk it's only £1.39 and it's quite pleasant but I've not bought for a while I should really go get some today as I feel as if ive got that bug back woke up feeling nauseous again.
On the plus side I bought a packet of opal fruits yesterday,I still call them that lol,and my dry mouth and sore tongue didn't half ease up so if anyone ones suffering this maybe worth a try for you.xx

[Maryjane]

I make my own .

But also the polish shops are much cheaper than supermarkets if you have any near you .

65p a litre for Milko.

[Daisydot]

Mines was revolting Maryjane lol that's a good idea we have plenty polish shops here I didn't think of that.xthank you