In the intricate landscape of the No Plant GAPS diet, where the primary focus is on healing heavily compromised digestive systems, introducing kefir emerges as a potent ally. This fermented beverage goes beyond being a mere addition to the diet; it becomes a key player in the quest for probiotic balance and the restoration of gut health.
The Healing Properties of Kefir:
Lactic Acid – A Gut Lining Guardian: Kefir boasts a crucial component—lactic acid, which plays a pivotal role in fortifying the gut lining. This acid serves as a rapid healer, firming up the delicate layers of the digestive system. It acts as a potent curing agent, contributing to the restoration of the gut lining with remarkable efficacy.
Whey – A Remedy for Acute Situations: In situations of acute stomach distress, such as ruptured stomach, stomach ulcers, severe gastritis, or accidental poisoning, kefir’s whey steps in as a powerful remedy. The concentrated lactic acid in whey becomes a healing force, swiftly repairing and cleansing burned and damaged tissues. In cases of accidental poisoning, consuming only whey for a day or two can accelerate the healing process, allowing the stomach acid to rebuild.
Diverse Microbial Community: Kefir is not just a beverage; it is a living, harmonious community of microbes. This community comprises over 200 different species of beneficial microbes, including fungi, viruses, and bacteria. The diversity in kefir’s microbial makeup forms the basis of its healing properties.
Each microbe plays a distinct role, contributing to the overall harmony of the community. This natural order prevents the intrusion of foreign microbes, maintaining the delicate balance necessary for optimal functioning.
When kefir is introduced into a digestive system populated with harmful pathogens, it acts like a team of skilled doctors. This microbial community works in unison to eliminate and replace the pathological microbial inhabitants. The established governance ensures that no foreign microbe disrupts the balance, creating a controlled and strategic process of
elimination.
The war within the digestive system, where kefir battles pathological microbes, can sometimes trigger die-off reactions. As pathogens die, they release toxins, exacerbating individual symptoms such as joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, panic attacks, memory lapses, emotional instability, and disrupted menstruation. The key to managing this reaction is to start with small amounts of kefir and gradually increase. Those with the highest level of toxicity and the most unbalanced microbiome may need to start with 1 drop of kefir dissolved in a cup of meat stock, and then slowly and gradually increase. This cautious approach allows the body to adapt without overwhelming it with a sudden influx of toxins.
The optimal level is to drink around 1-2 cups of kefir a day. Those with stubborn yeast infections should consume even 2 quarts/liters of kefir a day.
Kefir is a therapeutic agent, a healer, and a strategic force in reshaping the internal microbial landscape. The power of kefir lies not just in its nutritional content but in the intricate dance of microbes that it brings to the digestive stage.
If you feel you may benefit from No Plant GAPS, you can either complete my No Plant GAPS course (all content checked and verified by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride) or contact me to see how I can help.