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How Long Would it Take for Kefir to Heal IBS?

Posted by Namaw (Bama) on 05/24/2016

I've had ibs-d all my life, so over 50 years. I've always known that my mom had cancer treatments while pregnant with me, so I probably didn't get good gut flora from her (she had ibs-c) and I definitely got some of the chemo. I'm starting kefir (again) hoping to restore my gut. If I work up to a pint a day of homemade dairy kefir, how long do you think I'll have to take it before I see results? I took it daily for 6 months in the past and couldn't tell any change. I'm also hoping it will help my insomnia so, if it does, then I'll make major progress. I'm already taking glutamine and eating mostly plant material (not raw, tho, it really sets me off). I tried juicing, but it was too rough also. I tried homemade yogurt and could tell a difference bowel wise, so thought kefir would give me more probiotics. I liked the yogurt, the kefir not so much.

Replied by Mmsg
Somewhere, Europe
05/24/2016

Namaw, not always is "more = better". It could be that for your constitution the yogurt is more beneficial than the kefir. You don't have to take kefir just because it seems better for other people, when you yourself saw that yogurt was more beneficial for you.

Replied by Namaw
Bama
05/26/2016

So, no guesses on how long to see a change? I'll continue to take the kefir over the yogurt simply because the probiotics in kefir can recolonize the gut and the ones in yogurt cannot.

Replied by Mama To Many
Tennessee
05/26/2016

Dear Namaw,

Regarding how long it takes to see improvement with the addition of kefir, I am going to guess that it is dependent on so many things (quality of kefir, time taken, health condition you are trying to heal, general health of the person...)

Apparently kefir is best taken on an empty stomach, so those who take it otherwise may not experience the same results.

Rsw just posted improvement using it daily for a month, but that for blood sugar.

I used kefir for my daughter's asthma. I gave it to her daily for months but because her asthma was intermittent, I am not sure how long it actually took to heal her. That was over a year ago and she has had no asthma issues in a year.

My husband has ibs symptoms. He has been taking yogurt most mornings on an empty stomach for a month of two. (Fage yogurt, which has the L. Casei strain in it.) His gut seems to be doing better, but not sure I would call it cured at this point.

But your condition began so long ago that perhaps it would take longer to heal?

If you like bananas and they agree with you, I found that putting a frozen banana and the kefir in a blender really improves the flavor. Also, a splash of vanilla, sometimes a bit of cocoa powder and honey. Some of my kids like peanut butter blended in to it.

Just some thoughts. Keep us posted!

~Mama to Many~