Probiotics: The Perfect Pickler | Arthritis Information

 

I've been thinking more and more about how I'd like to get my supplemental nutritional needs from foods rather than pills (except I don't think I can eat enough fish to replace my fish oil) and have spent a lot of time researching different fermented food as a source of beneficial microbes and degestive bacteria. After researching homemade sauerkraut I have bought a Perfect Pickler, which I have heard good things about from family and friends. It makes sauerkraut in just 4 days instead of 6 weeks! It also can pickle any kind of vegetable or fruit in 4 days. I bought both sizes (I'm committed to pickling). I have just put my first batch of sauerkraut in and will keep you updated on how it turns out!

The only thing that concerns me is the high salt content of pickles.

I like that idea!  Taking prevacid daily, I worry some nutrients don't get absorbed properly.    

Don't think I can eat very many pickles, and sauerkraut is okay, but like 2 times a year. What else helps?   Um, live culture yoghurt is a pretty good source of probiotics,if it's pretty fresh or homemade. (Or kefir but only homemade kefir, the pasteurised stuff at the store is no good, and the same thing is true of store bought pickles and sauerkraut. The canning process kills the beneficial "flora"). Miso is a good source of probiotics (don't boil the miso---just put it in less than boiling hot soup base). They are all fermented foods.

Here are some health benefits to taking probiotics:

• inhibits growth of ‘bad bugs’, or bacteria that cause disease
• synthesizes vitamins, primarily B vitamins
• increase availability of nutrients
• decrease lactose intolerance
• decrease symptoms of GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease)
• decrease prevalence of allergies
• boosts the immune response

Gimpy, have you heard of medical foods?  JSNM, is that a brand?

I have a friend who is a nutritionist who believes instead of using
supplements we can get all the nutrition we need from food. I agree it's
possible but sometimes supplements are more practical. However, I would
like to lean more to foods rather than pills where possible. Also, probiotics
cost a lot! So I'm trying to cosume more food sources of them.I don't think I could swallow enough saurkraut to get the benefits (lol)I actually love home made sauerkraut. It's crispy and delicious, plus you can
add other things when you make it like apples and ginger, or caraway seeds.

Pretty much any homemade pickled vegetable will have probiotic qualities,
so it could be beans or asparagus or onions or mixed stuff. You just eat a
little bit at each meal (except maybe for breakfast....blurgh....I will have
yogurt instead!)
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