Does Kefir Interfere with Your Medications?
There is a cultured type of fermented drink that is called kefir. It is remarkably like yogurt. It is devised from starter grains, giving it some commonality with the way that sourdough bread is made. There is a mixture of different components including bacteria, milk proteins, and yeast. Depending upon how it is made, it can have a creamy or tart flavor. The primary benefit of drinking this regularly is the probiotic benefits. These are healthy forms of bacteria that are essential for maintaining health within your intestinal tract. Let us go over the benefits of kefir, some of the drawbacks, and whether it will interfere with medications. Click blogs for more information about kefir.
How Is It Made with Milk?
This is made with different types of milk. For example, you can use rice milk if that is what you prefer. Some people like to have a tarter taste prompting them to use goats milk instead. Coconut milk is also extremely popular, but most people use dairy milk instead. For those that are wanting something completely different, coconut water is viable when creating kefir. The reason that this product is so helpful is because of the fermentation process. People that suffer from lactose and toleration will be able to drink this without any problem. It has become more widespread, available in many countries, and can be found at your local grocery store. It will likely be positioned where your yogurt or dairy is sold. The primary reason that people take this regularly is because of probiotics. They simply want to improve their digestive processes.
Is It Better Than Yogurt?
Kefir is certainly better than yogurt. In fact, they have quite a bit in common. Each can have its own unique taste. They also contain potassium, B vitamins, calcium, and protein. Combined with the probiotic aspect, it is extremely healthy. Yogurt, however, will not have as much protein or probiotics. If you have ever had it before, you know that it is typically very thin, yet it will remind you of yogurt when you consume it. In order to produce the fermentation, kefir must be kept at room temperature. Culturing, on the other hand, requires higher amounts of heat when you are trying to produce this effect in yogurt. It is the extreme number of healthy bacteria, which is beneficial for your gastrointestinal tract, that motivates people to use this every day. However, if you are taking medications, you might be concerned about the overall effect it may have on the pharmaceuticals that you are taking.
Is It Safe to Take with Medications?
If you are currently taking medications related to the flu, you may want to avoid it. This is for three reasons. First, it has been shown to produce abdominal cramping and constipation. This is because of the high amounts of probiotics. The third reason is that people who suffer from illnesses tend to have a weaker immune system. If you do have this, you should avoid taking kefir, as it may exacerbate the potential of infections that could get worse over time.
Typical Benefits of Taking Kefir Regularly
The benefits of kefir are numerous. If you are healthy, it is the perfect way to improve the functionality of your gastrointestinal tract system. It can be used to help those that suffer from chronic diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. At the very least, it will help relieve the symptoms associated with these conditions. It can prevent or reduce gastrointestinal infections as well. Vaginally infections, as well as urinary tract infections, may see a dramatic improvement by taking this regularly. However, if you do notice that you are experiencing a UTI at a higher level, or if your IBS is becoming worse, stop taking it immediately.
How Much Kefir Should You Take Each Day?
Most people take 12 ounces of kefir daily. Others will take less or more. It is recommended that you start with a small amount. This could be a single ounce just to see how your body reacts. As mentioned before, if you are currently experiencing any type of illness, you should wait until you feel better to use this source for good bacteria. Once your body has acclimated to it, you may find that chronic difficulties that you have me begin to dissipate. It is a natural way to help your intestines function in a more proactive manner as long as it is taken in a steady and gradual way.
Overall, kefir is not going to interfere with most medications. It is important to consult with your doctor before taking this if you are on antibiotics. The reason that you are on antibiotics is likely because you are sick. Therefore, you need to finish the pharmaceutical regimen prior to resuming your intake of kefir. Once you are better, this will allow you to build up the healthy bacteria in your gut and intestinal track to help you stay well. If you have had chronic vaginally infections, UTIs, or IBS, this might be a natural way to prevent these from occurring.
