Kerry McClure – Practical Wellness
February 23, 2015
There are several things I do everyday to help keep my immune system strong, myself healthy, vibrant and full of energy. At the top is lemon water first thing in the morning, and number two, eating cultured foods for their probiotic properties.
Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help your body to thrive on multiple levels. In Greek, the term means “for life,” and the myriad of research surrounding these healthful microorganisms suggests that they are, in fact, an integral part of your well-being.
Believe it or not, we are more bacteria than we are human. The microbiome in our gut governs many of our body’s key functions and is crucial to our overall health. It is estimated that between 70% – 80% of our immune system lives in our gut. So when our gut flora is off, our immune system is compromised.
A balanced microbiome regulates the immune system, metabolism, sustains the gastrointestinal tract, supports mood and brain function, produces crucial vitamins and nutrients, and helps us maintain a healthy weight.
So if you want to lose weight and feel better it’s essential that you balance the microbiome in your gut. One of the most effective ways to do that is by eating fermented foods.
Here are a few examples of fermented foods readily available to us in the U.S:
Sauerkraut — a version of fermented cabbage eaten throughout Eastern Europe, Russia, Austria, and Germany
Kimchee — a Korean version of fermented cabbage, carrots, onions, and garlic
Fermented vegetables — available ready-made in most stores and online
Kefir — a fermented milk drink from the north Caucasus
Yogurt — another type of fermented milk product eaten throughout central and west Asia, India, central Europe, and the Balkans
Below is a great resource for getting started on making your own fermented foods, and Interesting articles on fermentation.
Here’s to continued good health…
http://www.culturesforhealth.com/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/…/827537-the-healing-power-of…/
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/…/why-fermented-foods-are-good…
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