This is always a hot topic, so today I’m going to talk in depth about the difference between probiotics and fermented foods in this clip…
Some may disagree, some may agree, but there is one thing about fermented foods that you just can’t get when it comes to probiotics.
I talk about that specifically in this episode, so check it out…
Your question of the day: What are your thoughts on probiotics vs. fermented foods?
Click here, scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave your comments now!
BTW: Fermented foods are pretty easy to make, since the bacteria does the work for you! You can get fermented foods and kefir starters in the Renegade Health store here: http://store.renegadehealth.com/
Live Awesome!
Kev
10:39 am on July 20th, 2010
I think taking both would be beneficial. I have been taking primal defense from Garden of Life for around 8 years now.
10:49 am on July 20th, 2010
I’ve taken probiotics for years, but it was only after I started fermenting my own veggies that my digestion really started improving. It’s some effort to keep a supply on hand, but well worth it to me!
10:49 am on July 20th, 2010
In theory I would agree that fermented foods are better, however I ate fermented foods (Body Ecology Diet veggies) for over a year and did not see any great results. I started taking a probiotic called Syntol and within 2 months had restored the beneficial bacteria in my gut. Is it possible fermented foods just don’t work for some people?
11:05 am on July 20th, 2010
My son was on probiotics (several pills/day)for his horrible, leaky gut for 4 years (leaky gut since he was born, now 12). It wasn’t until we started on coconut kefir (Body Ecology Diet) that his gut finally started healing and becoming normal. When I eat cultured food, it sure makes a difference for me.
Steve, did you use a starter or add your own probiotics to the culture to give it a good start?
11:07 am on July 20th, 2010
Kev!! One of the most informative shows!!… You’re hitting it on the NAIL….DIGESTION!!!!
Great job!! Hi AnnMarie.. xoxo
11:22 am on July 20th, 2010
Thankyou Kevin for a voice of reason in a world of hype. It is very refreshing to be brought back to the idea that we can understand the concepts behind the probiotic pills.
thankyou Annie
11:24 am on July 20th, 2010
I’ve been on probiotics for about 5 years now, and have noticed a great improvement in digestion.
Just recently I started eating fermented foods, but bought them at a store. Perhaps I would do better to make the fermented foods myself. Will have to try that soon.
11:35 am on July 20th, 2010
Not a big fan of either one but I lean toward the more natural fermented local food.
12:54 pm on July 20th, 2010
Fermented foods are a new “idea” for me since I previously followed Ayurvedic principles of using certain herbs and spices for improved digestion. So, I have questions about when and how much fermented foods should be consumed. First of all I get mine from a local health food restaurant that makes their own and sells them. They are a bit spicy for me with red pepper/chiles in them. (As a Pitta, I shouldn’t eat so much “heating” food) Anyway, back to the original question, should the fermented foods be eaten along with other food as a condiment, or taken prior to eating or on an empty stomach? I actually have the same question about the Body Ecoolgy Coco-Biotic. I drink a couple ounces with a meal, but it’s cold and its a liquid which normally should not be taken with a meal. Should I drink Coco-Biotic between meals? and/or not keep it refrigerated?
ummmm. so many questions? All this and I don’t even know if I have poor digestion or not. Just want to do everything to be/remain the healthiest I can. (I also take probiotics before every meal to make sure I’m “covered”).
12:58 pm on July 20th, 2010
My first batch of sauerkraut might be ready today! I started it about 5 days ago and used some probiotic powder to get it going. I can’t wait to see how it turned out. There are a lot of good videos on the net on how to make it.
I love Rejuvinative Foods raw kraut but can’t often pay over $10 for a small jar. I also found some great sauerkraut at the Sebastopol Farmers Market that was so good it inspired me to make this batch. Don’t miss it if you are in the area. I hope it will help my digestion. I know it will be easier for me to eat this than it is for me to remember to take probiotic capsules!
Maia
1:20 pm on July 20th, 2010
I always will eat actual food before I take a pill. And if I take a pill, it’s something like mushrooms, herbs or an algee that is a whole food in pill form that simply makes it easier to deal with. I only eat sauerkraut at the moment, organaic but not raw so there may be no goodies in it anyway but I love the stuff. I have Ann Marie’s video showing how to make my own tucked away in a file and will start making my own soon.
1:22 pm on July 20th, 2010
Cool it’s nice to know you can get that stuff in the fermented veggies.
Thank you,
Naomi
1:38 pm on July 20th, 2010
I definitely notice an improvement, usually within 1 day of eating fermented foods. It helps me digest whatever I’ve eaten, and prevents gas.
I didn’t see a difference when taking probiotic pills, but I think the probiotics in Vitamineral Green are at least a little active.
I think you’re right Kevin! It comes down to digestion. For example, felines are obligate carnivores because their digestive tracts don’t digest plant matter well (and other reasons, see Wiki). Whereas dogs are omnivores, and elephants are herbivores, etc.
Humans seems to be built as an omnivore range – for example, some people cannot digest animal protein at all, while others can eat it all day and feel great. The same goes for veggies, fruit, and grain. I can’t eat bell peppers or gluten, while some people out there do just fine. You can get nutrients from different sources, but it comes down to digestion.
1:57 pm on July 20th, 2010
I have taken probiotics and prebiotics off and on for years and they always helped but I started fermenting veggies a few months ago and I noticed a huge surge in gut health since.
I use a probiotic & prebiotic starter, Jarrow Formulas Jarrodophilous + FOS powder, plus additional Jarrow Formulas FOS. I’ve also been adding FOS to my morning drinks which I had never done before.
I’ve gotten to the point where if I’m out of cultured veggies I kind of go crazy cuz I absolutely crave them every day. I use them in salads or in any meal I eat, plus I’ll eat them on their own.
I had been wanting to make cultured veggies for about 30 years but didn’t do it until I saw your three part demo with Donna Gates which inspired me so thank you very much for that.
2:25 pm on July 20th, 2010
I would want to say that it is always better to get the good bacteria out of your food. I personally have had mixed results with fermented foods. However, I’m going to give it another shot some time soon. The pill is always easier but then you can ask how much you actually get from the bacteria. Taste wise I’m not really fond of cultured veggies although I grew up eating sauerkraut on a regular basis. Therefore my choice of fermented liquid usually ends up being cabbage rejuvelac because it is cheap and I don’t have to chop those coconuts and I don’t have to sprout any wheat berries.
2:41 pm on July 20th, 2010
People must be aware of what is best for them
fermented foods may work for some, whereas as others will definitely have to use both. It all depends on their metabolism and how well their digestive system works with certain foods.
2:53 pm on July 20th, 2010
I WOULD HOPE THAT THE FOODS MADE TO FERMENT WOULD BE ORGANIC AND I LOVE YOUGART, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (PAUL BRAGGS). IT TAKES WORK TO PREPARE FOODS AND OUR CIVILIZATION IS IN A HURRY FOR QUICK AND EASY; BUT IN THE LONG RUN OUR HEALTH IS OF MOST IMPORTANTANCE!
3:14 pm on July 20th, 2010
Fermented foods hands down
i make my own sauerkraut, coconut keifer, and kombucha
ive gotten results from probiotic pills too but im trying to find what works that will keep working once the system finishes collapsing
3:28 pm on July 20th, 2010
WHAT IS YOUR VIEWS ON ALO VERA JUICE? I LOVE TO DRINK THE WILD BERRY ONE!
3:51 pm on July 20th, 2010
I’m enthusiastic to try home made sauerkraut or kim chi and am curious to know if it will be of benefit if you don’t add probiotic powder as a starter. I ask this because I live in a part of the world where these products are not available. I do however keep kefir grains (milk kefir for about 2 years now), could I add instead 1 or 2 kefir grains to my vegies as a starter, would appreciate any comments or suggestions, thanks.
3:58 pm on July 20th, 2010
Kevin,
You are SOOO right. I went down this path years ago with all of my gut and digestive trouble. I was spending a FORTUNE on probiotics and following different diets to no avail.
Then I read about raw saurkraut juice. Ordered it from someplace in California for a fairly reasonable price and started taking it. I saw and felt improvements right away, not to mention for some reason it seemed to help settle my nerves and balance me out.
Coming from a German family, I realized I can make kraut myself for pennies and have been doing it ever since.
Thanks for spreading this almost lost art.
4:09 pm on July 20th, 2010
Keving ; why are you gatting so commplicatte???abou food, did not your lernned about the indians in Peru?? the simple the bether!!! the body is a very ammazing machine…
4:38 pm on July 20th, 2010
I have been fermenting cabbage for years.
I chop up about 3 cups of cabbage with a food proceser and put it in a quart jar, fill the jar about 1 inch from the top with filtered water, put cover on loosly so air will escape.
Let it sit in warm place for several days.
I drink about four ounces at a time especally when I eat a no no.
To make a new batch, use some of the old batch for a starter.
I am going to try some of my probiotics for a starter next time.
4:42 pm on July 20th, 2010
I LOVE sauerkraut. I will get to craving it. I got a thing called a Perfect Pickler (www.perfectpickler.com I don’t get a kickback for promoting it — I just LOVE it) which is basically a fermentation lock that goes on top of any size mason jar and allows you to make cultured vegetables, sauerkraut, brine pickles, etc. in just four days with no mess, no smell, no attracting insects. I can make sauerkraut on my desk and watch it bubble! I love making sauerkraut with the more antioxidant-rich purple cabbage because it is so pretty and so tasty. So now I always have sauerkraut and for the cost of cabbage and Celtic sea salt — which is to say, very cheap!
I also got a Japanese pickle press to streamline the process and now I can spend less than an hour prepping up a couple of cabbages, let it sit in the press to get nice and juicy (I learned to put a few spoons of kraut and/or juice from the curent batch into the press with the new cabbage to kick-start the process) and then put it in my Perfect Pickler and let it go.
I have never tried probiotics, but I don’t feel much need to because I have a constant supply of home-made, non-pasteurized sauer kraut and it really does seem to help digestion for me. I hope my comment has helped other people who might be thinking about making their own kraut but overwhelmed by the process. Anyone who wants to talk to me about the Perfect Pickler (again, I don’t work for them or sell for them, I just love their product) or making sauer kraut at home can e-mail me at sparrowrose at gmail dot com and I’ll be happy to answer any other questions about how it works (although I’ve just given you everything you really need to know in this comment.)
5:41 pm on July 20th, 2010
Hi Kev, I’ve been listening to your shows for awhile now and am amazed in the amount of times that you hit on points that I’ve been thinking about, right at the same time! Just before listening today, I ordered cabbages to start my first batch of raw sauerkraut.
I’m also thinking of getting Fred Bisci’s probiotics and am wondering if you have any experience with them?
5:53 pm on July 20th, 2010
Poor Audio Kevin I had trouble hearing you at times. Good info though.I think if one does not have any health problems and is eating as prescribed by GOD ALMIGHTY THEE CREATOR of our human bodies,when one eats the variety of organic foods one would naturally get probiotics ,fermented foods as well as many ,many other unknown BENEFITS that science has not even begun to know.
6:16 pm on July 20th, 2010
I tried some sauerkraut from a natural health store and it made my stomach all bubbly inside. I got the same bloated gas feeling from eating a raw vegan salad dressing (Zukay living foods) that had probiotics in it. I stopped taking a probiotic pill a long time ago(not because it gave me problems,but not because it made a difference either). I keep reading great things about fermented foods but I get stomach pains from it. My boyfriend doesn’t like the idea of eating rotten foods….
8:26 pm on July 20th, 2010
Awesome Post! I am not a fan of Rejeuvinative foods (taste and expense). I LOVE Kimchi, i get Sunjas. and kraut. I have been making kombucha for a year now and love it! it is so easy and I don’t ever want to stop! I’m TTC and worried my ob/gyn will tell me to stop drinking kombucha.
8:44 pm on July 20th, 2010
I’ve done both probiotics and fermented foods for almost a year and and continue to take them to rebuild my intestinal villi from the damage caused by gluten – which I carefully avoid. I’m going to try doing one or the other for a while and see if I notice any changes. My son likes the fermented veggies and he’s only 3 years old!
10:48 pm on July 20th, 2010
Ive heard so much about cultured veggies and bought some from a place listed at body ecologie. While I’ll eat them I havn’t found a way to get my kids to eat them. Anyone have any ideas or recipes with kid appeal? How do you eat them Kevin and Ann?
11:58 pm on July 20th, 2010
I don’t know if my question will get answered or not, but how does one know if one has bad digestion or not? I eat copious amounts (3-5 pounds per day, maybe?) of produce, and therefore have lots of b.m.s and gas, but thought that just came with the territory. I recently had food poisoning and a friend suggested probiotics to help me recover. Taking them now (almost finished with a 12-day supply) and find that my b.m.s are much more solid and infrequent, but I feel more bloated than usual. Is this normal for taking probiotics? I’ve never used them before. I’m really curious about fermented foods, and I’m very new to the raw lifestyle. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
The video was really informative, too – thank you.
7:58 am on July 21st, 2010
This was very informative. I’m working up the courage to try sauerkraut again. My first attempt was a failure and went to the worm bin.
10:14 am on July 21st, 2010
Neither! Just whole, fresh, ripe, raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds for me!
Swayze
10:47 am on July 21st, 2010
First – Thank you both for all you do. I just did a 10 day juice fast. Mostly fruit in the am and veggies later in the day. BUT I noticed some fatigue and cramping in my muscles. Im 65 perhaps they are fatigued anyways
But more so on the fast. Should I be adding something while doing a juice fast??
Thanks so much. Linda
11:18 am on July 21st, 2010
Muscle cramps mean you need calcium. In spite of what allopathic M.D.’s say…it is not potassium. Sesame seeds, collards and almonds are good sources.
The need sfor calcium increases after menopause.
1:31 pm on July 21st, 2010
Great show Kevin! I love my homemade sauerkraut for peak digestion! I just finished a 52-day juice feast and needed an extra boost to get my flora back in check. I found that Bio-K now makes a probiotic with brown rice. In the past they only used dairy and soy bases. For that reason I have avoided their products for years. I used the new Bio-K after the juice feast and loved it. Now that everything is balanced I’m back to just eating my sauerkraut and homemade coconut kefir!
Check out the Sauerkraut demo video that Kevin and I did several months ago. It’s at http://reneoswald.com/videos.html …just click on “Free Videos” on the left and scroll down to #65.
2:01 pm on July 21st, 2010
I haven’t had any luck with making fermented foods. I’ll have to look into that Perfect Pickler and try again.
I use a probiotic superfood almost daily and my digestion is perfect. A colonic proved that and I can mix just about any food together and not have a problem. The probiotics are packaged with the foods so they eat the outer cell wall and the nutrients in the foods are then readily available. Packed with all the essential amino acids that will rebuild and feed the cells.
Probiotics (or fermented foods) should be a daily part of our diet. Even a shower in unfiltered water will kill off bacteria. Modern life is not suited to keeping good bacteria alive without our help.
2:33 pm on July 21st, 2010
Loved this show. Thanks so much! Because of varying temps. in my city apt. I’ve had little luck with fermenting. Actually I feel like I don’t have the write tools(the top to the jar?)
I love Rejuvinative brand because they have salt free versions- LOVE THE BEET ZINGER! But Mucho DINERO!
What are thoughts on Miso? South River Chick Pea Miso? I’ve been using it lots lately and never used Miso before. Not a salt fan which seems to be in most fermented foods and I understand it’s for the longevity but is it necessary?
I used Better Flora brand of probiotics-specifically their Candida Kit and it really, truly, definitely, (along with B.E.D.) kicked my candida. Great probiotic because it’s a laterosporus (soil based organism) that kills the candida so the acidophillus and other probiotics can survive once you put em in.
Cheers!
9:17 pm on July 21st, 2010
So happy to hear your comments. Fermented sauerkraut is so easy, and so critical, to make for health. Dr. Ann Wigmore spent years perfecting the way to get the most for the least amount of labor, and what you and people who are around you in the kitchen are feeling and talking about when you make it is critical for the success of the project. There are some people who know anything that is super alive and sensitive like that food is will react to the power of the highest vibration: love, and also to slower ones which make it rotten. It’s so important, as some guru friends have written, to think only loving thoughts when at the market, in the kitchen preparing foods, and eating and digesting, because then we are feeding our baby cells love. If your fridge has any remnants of old animal products like dairy spores in it, it will rot any probiotics you are trying to store in it. Your fridge has to be a haven of cleanliness to allow the fermented foods like sauerkrauts, fermented drinks, seed and nut cheeses and so on to continue their process without being a host or hostess for the spores of dairy or albumen (eggs), which corrupt them. I remember your kindness at the RawSpirit Festival and look forward to hugging you in the future. For now, a hug over the internet vibrations! Robert Cohen, the http://www.notmilk.com man turned triathlete, took my advice and used pineapple and papaya to heal some pretty serious problems in just 3 days. Check it out. The easiest kraut for me? Juice 3 heads of purple cabbage, cover with 1 layer of cabbage leaves, weigh it down in an old clean crock pot for 3 days at room temperature in a loving atmosphere (on top of my hot water heater), and then keep it in glass jars in the fridge uncapped with a little piece of the cabbage leaf on top to keep out little hungry ‘friends’, and don’t dip a spoon from your mouth into the jar or it will spoil. Enjoy a friendly gut and peaceful nerves!
8:08 am on July 23rd, 2010
Hi Mary,
I used body ecology diet veggie culture starter.