Nourish Kefir is a 100% natural probiotic
Kefir contains different bacteria, yeasts and enzymes. The quantities of relevant microorganisms in kefir are measured in high enough quantities for it to be considered a probiotic.

Kefir contains the following probiotic bacteria:
Bifido bacterium - bifidokefir, Lactobacilli - Lb. Kefir, Lb. Fermentum, Lb.Reuteri, Lb. Acidophilus, Lb. Casei, Lb. Brevis, Lb.Buchneri

Kefir and Health
Nourish Kefir contains living microorganisms that can help ease the symptoms of IBS or Crohn's disease, and can be beneficial for people recovering in hospital after an operation - or taking antibiotics.

Nourish Kefir is a natural food containing living bacteria. The intestine is considered a natural environment for probiotic bacteria, and it is here that the beneficial microflora in kefir can populate the gastro-intestinal tract and help to reduce procarcinogenic enzymes in the colon and Heliobacter pylori infection, known to cause stomach ulcers.

The antibacterial nature of kefir has a bactericidal effect against Gram positive organisms such as E Coli, Listeria and Salmonella bacterias and pathogens such as Clostridia The antibacterial effect of kefir against pathogens is attributed to organic acids and specific antibodies produced by acetic acid bacteria and yeasts in kefir, as well as lactic acid and acetic acid produced during fermentation.

Symptom Relief
Specific symptoms can be alleviated including diarrhoea, bloating, wind and abdominal pain through regular consumption of Nourish Kefir as part of a balanced diet. Read more about the benefits of Nourish Kefir and our testimonials here.

We recommend kefir to people suffering from gastro-intestinal related conditions, that drinking it regularly will help relieve symptoms and help return to normal. We appreciate that we are all different and have different needs. People suffering from gastro intestinal related conditions, may have an overload of pathogenic bacteria, which could be caused by stress, lifestyle, diet or other causes, and we think it is important to look beyond the symptoms to the cause of any problem with a holistic approach for lasting healing.

BUY NOURISH KEFIR HERE
Place your order for next day delivery - or call us to order over the phone on 020 8763 1922.


Definition of a probiotic?
Probiotic is a generic term for loads of different types of life enhancing bacterium and microorganisms. Not all probiotics are the same and they don’t all work in the same way, the most commonly known types of probiotics are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. The important characteristic of probiotics is that they have to reach and stay in the intestines to do us any good. In a recent study, it showed that 85% of the isolated species of lactobacillus from kefir grains can resist oxgall and adhere to enterocyte-like cells. The beneficial yeasts in kefir are also fairly acid tolerant and can adhere to the intestinal tract.

In another study in 2004, the presence of Lactobacillus Kefir and Lactobacillus para kefir was found in CaCO2 cells in the intestines after consumption.


Why do we need them?
Around 70-80% of the immune system is in the gastrointestinal tract, and scientists are now confirming that what we eat affects our immune system. Most molecules in the body are food derived, so it makes sense that the food we eat affects our body. The popular catch phrase 'you are what you eat' is so true!

Probiotics assist the naturally occurring good bacteria in the digestive tract encouraging it to flourish and, in doing so, reduce or eliminate any harmful bacteria. As with most health related products, to work properly they need to be used as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle. It’s not just food that affect the microflora in our bodies, other factors such as stress, fear, anxiety, worry etc can directly affect our bodies in a negative way that decreases the levels of good bacteria, or creates an environment where more harmful bacteria can thrive.


What do they do?
• Probiotics resist digestion - which is good, because they get to work in the intestines
• Probiotics are protective to the intestinal tract - they keep toxins at bay by lining the gut wall.
• Probiotics are anti inflammatory, assisting the immune system to increase anti-inflammatory cytokines.
• Probiotics decrease fermentation in the gut - this helps to reduce wind and bloating, sometimes experienced after eating rich foods.

Probiotics and Antibiotics
If you need to take prescribed antibiotics take a probiotic supplement at the same time and for a couple of weeks after the course is finished. Antibiotics kill-off the beneficial bacteria in the gut, leaving the harmful bacteria to flourish. Some hospitals in mainland Europe automatically prescribe probiotics for patients that are taking antibiotics.

Scientists studying the effects of probiotics, for use in patients with diseases and chronic conditions, established that the associated benefits of taking probiotics is achieved by continuous use – it helps if probiotics become a regular part of our diets.

Good micro flora are an asset to the body
Metabolic activity is a virtual organ. We literally have a belly-full of organisms… living in colonies and performing many different functions. Our micro flora are not inert parasites in our bodies, they send active signals from the gut around the body. Bacteria weigh aprox 1-2kg in the human gut!

Good micro flora assist the body in its defence against pathogens, it is important to look after the microbes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Good micro flora help our intestines and colon function normally, help our bodies synthesise B and K vitamins and metabolise carcinogens. Conversely, when the gut micro flora produce antigens, or become ‘bad’ bacteria, they create tissue damage and can even start carcinogens.

Elie Metchnikoff (1845-1916), The Nobel Prize winner, was the pioneer of scientific research into beneficial bacteria and its effects in the human gut. In the early days of his research, the scientific community was sceptical about his findings related to bacteria. Now scientists the world over are taking a greater interest in gut health and how probiotics can assist the body in overcoming many diseases.

References

Farnworth, E. 2003, Handbook of Fermented Functional Foods, 97.
Sarkar S. 2007, Potential of kefir as a dietetic beverage - a review. British Food Journal.

Heller K.J 2004, Inclusion of probiotics in beverages:can it lead to improved health? Beverages in Nutrition and Health.

Included in the above information are notes taken from the Allergy Research Foundation meeting: ‘Probiotics as mainstream medical therapy?’ on 22.11.06 at The Royal College of Physicians, London.