Probiotics Lend A Hand To Brain Functioning – Part 2

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By Christie Korth

Part 2 of 3

Continued from part 1 of this article…..

tea2) Kombucha: A type of fermented tea, Kombucha contains a high amount of healthy gut bacteria. This probiotic- rich beverage has been used for centuries and has been shown to help increase your energy, enhance your well being and maybe even help you lose weight. However, kombucha tea may not be the best fit for everyone. For instance, if you have suffer with candida, Kombucha may not be appropriate while treating candida infection.

Our favorite pick: GT Synergy

3) Kimchi: Popular In Asia, this pickled Saurkraut is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea. Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. Kimchi is one of the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet, assuming you can handle the spice, of course. You can make Kimchi without all of the heat, as I have gone ahead and done here.

Our favorite pick: Kid/Family-Friendly Kimchi Recipe by Mama in the Kitchen

• Chop into bite size pieces or slice: 1 big or 2 small Napa Cabbages, cored

• Place in a non-metallic container. Your best bet would be to use big glass mason jars. You can also try using the lining of a slow cooker.

• Massage cabbage with ¼ sea salt

• Cover with water, place a plate with a weight on top (I used 2 mason jars full of water) or bamboo sticks fixed to the top of a jar to make sure all the cabbage is submerged in water. Leave overnight. The next day, drain the water and rinse the cabbage.

Now, mix the cabbage with:

Ingredients:

1 cup of water
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp. sea salt
1 green apple, grated
2 green onions, sliced
3 large carrots, grated
½ cup local honey
1/3 cup raisins

• Mix together well. Make sure there are no air pockets by pushing the vegetables down. Again, place a plate with a weight on top or bamboo sticks fixed to the top of a jar to make sure all the cabbage is submerged in liquid. Cover with a towel and leave for 3 – 4 days. When done, place in mason jars and refrigerate.

• Serve kimchi with vegetables or noodles. Be creative, it can also be used on a sandwich or wrap or as a salad dressing!.

4) Saurkraut: Grab an organic beef hot dog and a gluten free bun and it’s a picnic in the park. If you want it to pack a nutritional punch, go for the addition of raw sauerkraut. Made from fermented cabbage (and sometimes other vegetables), sauerkraut is not only extremely rich in healthy live cultures, but might also help with reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamins B, A, E and C.

Our Favorite Pick: Rejuvenate Foods Raw Sauerkraut. Not just sauerkraut, Rejuvenate offers all types of cluttered vegetebles and even tahihi, live salsas, ketchup and pickles! Excellent choice for kids, particularly those who are picky!

Stay tuned for part 3 of this article shortly…..

References

1. Kirsten Tillisch, Jennifer Labus, Lisa Kilpatrick, Zhiguo Jiang, Jean Stains, Bahar Ebrat, Denis Guyonnet, Sophie Legrain-Raspaud, Beatrice Trotin, Bruce Naliboff, Emeran A. Mayer. Consumption of Fermented Milk Product with Probiotic Modulates Brain Activity. Gastroenterology, 2013; DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.02.043

Christie Korth is a Crohn’s disease survivor, author, certified health coach and holistic nutritionist who found her way to health and wellness after nearly succumbing to a severe case of Crohn’s disease. After harnessing the power of nutrition and gaining her health back, she then went on to be the founder and director of Happy & Healthy Wellness Counseling based just outside of NYC. She studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Columbia University and the Clayton College of Natural Health and is a certified holistic health practitioner with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Christie is the Corporate Nutritionist for Brain Balance Achievement Centers, where she designs the nutrition protocol for franchises across the country. Christie is a nutrition expert for Dr. Oz’s Sharecare.com and frequently contributes nutrition articles to Long Island Parent Magazine. Christie is he author of The IBD Healing Plan and Recipe Book: A Guide to Releive Crohn’s and Colitis with Whole Foods. Christie lives in New York with her son, her husband, and her cat.