Mailbag! Strange Beverage BOOSTS Your Immune System!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 15, 2021
I’ve been hearing a lot about kefir and that it’s good for your gut. Then recently I heard it can help your lungs too. Is there anything to it?
–Thelma from Kent, Connecticut
Hi Thelma,
You’re right— kefir is a hot topic lately.
Kefir is a fermented yogurt drink that you used to only see in health food stores, but now you can find it almost anywhere (I’ve even seen it in gas stations!).
People mix kefir into their smoothies or drink it straight.
While kefir has the normal nutritional value of any dairy product, it also contains much-needed probiotics to keep your gut bacteria (microbiome) happy.
But that’s not all.
Researchers have found that kefir naturally stimulates our immune system, specifically when it comes to our lungs.
One study found that it increases immune cells called immunoglobulins (IgA) while ALSO helping macrophages (a type of lung cell) gobble up foreign invaders.
So… should you try kefir?
The answer is yes! One of the things we’re missing most in our modern diet is healthy bacteria that help support our digestive health.
If you lived in a preindustrial society, you’d be putting bacteria in your gut all the time.
Think about pulling a carrot out of the ground and eating it right away without washing it. You’d get all sorts of probiotics—in fact, many of the bacteria in our guts are the same ones found in the soil.
That’s why I suggest people eat yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods like sauerkraut as much as possible.
And to protect your gut even more, here are some additional tips.
Dr. Scott’s Road to Microbiome Mastery:
- Stay away from antibiotics unless you absolutely need them.
- Eat fermented foods, including sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt. (And for the adventurous: miso, natto, and kimchi).
- Take a good probiotic. I personally like to rotate probiotics to get a wide variety of bacteria species.
- Eat plenty of fiber prebiotics. Probiotics need food, and fiber is one of the best ways to feed them. Fresh raw vegetables are your best source of prebiotic fiber.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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