In my last video, I talked about the good bacteria and the bad bacteria in your guts and why having the good guys outnumber the bad is so important to clear skin.
If you’ve taken antibiotics in the past, or have generally eaten a poor diet, you most likely need a little help in this department. That’s where probiotics and fermented foods come in. Check out the video and find out what these are and why you gotta jump on board!
In the video, I mentioned that the probiotics I like and recommend are something called HMF Forte by Genestra. Click here to get them from Rockwell Nutrition if you’re in Canada. I realized you can get them from Amazon.com if you’re in the United States. There are other HMF (human micro flora) probiotic products from Genestra that are stronger, if you want an even more therapeutic dose than the Forte ones – like this, for example. Shop around for the best ones for you.
The reason these ones are so good is because apparently they are one of the only brands that are made from bacteria grown in an actual human’s gut, as opposed to an animal’s or on plants. This means it’s more likely than anything else to actually adhere to human intestines and repopulate them.
A note about this: In the video, I had mentioned that buying probiotics that are sitting on the shelf at the drug store and haven’t been refrigerated is useless, since the bacteria is dead. So you may be wondering… if I order probiotics online, won’t they also be dead? I was worried about that too, but after reading the info about this brand of probiotics, it appears as though this particular product can spend a few weeks at room temperature without much change in bacterial liveliness, thus being okay to mail. They are refrigerated before sending, and should be refrigerated as soon as you receive them.
Also the website where you can pick up some kefir grains to make your own fermented kefir drinks is www.kefirlady.com. The grains are cheap… between ten and twenty bucks for a few of them, and once you get them and use them, they multiply and last forever if you look after them. It’s fun. She sends them in the mail and then you send her a cheque or cash via the honour system. I just ordered some more for myself (I don’t know what happened to my old ones), so I’ll do a video about them when they arrive.
Thanks for this. You answered all my questions about goats milk kefir 🙂 I drink it, can’t tell if it makes me break out or not. All I know is that I had a week of eating a lot of cheese (cows milk) and I am paying for it now. No more dairy for me!
Hi Tracey!
Thank you for this video! 🙂 I was wondering how you feel about dehydrated foods. My diet is so strict due to candida and endless food allergies that it’s hard to find filling snacks or any foods that I can take with me on the go. I finally found these delicious raw sprouted crackers made of mostly seeds and herbs and LOVE them. However, when I told my Holistic doctor about them she said that I should stop eating them due to the fact that dehydrated foods are so hard to digest. I DO have continual digestive issues but it is always hard to pinpoint what the culprit is. So….how do you feel about dehydrated foods as well as seeds and raw sprouted crackers and such? Are these things that you regularly eat?? Thanks Tracey!!
Hi Bridget!
I know, it can be really hard with such a restricted diet sometimes 🙁 Once you heal your digestive system though, you should be able to handle a better variety of foods.
Unfortunately yeah… dehydrated foods, as well as nuts and seeds, are pretty rough on the digestive system since dehydrated foods contain no natural water any more, and nuts and seeds contain enzyme enhibitors. If you’re trying to heal your digestive system, I’d avoid them unless nuts and seeds have been soaked overnight or 24 hours, then they are okay… and you could try soaking the seed bars in water to rehydrate them. Although I don’t know what that would do to the texture… Or the convenience. It might not be so bad though… you should give it a try.
Soaking the seed bars is exactly what my doctor told me to do! Unfortunately, ya…I think that would leave a soggy mess. 🙁 I’ve been feeling like cutting those out of my diet is what I need to do for a while now but have been stalling because they are literally the ONLY snack I can eat and I love them! 🙂 Thank you for the info! I had no idea that nuts and seeds actually contained enzyme inhibitors…always learning something new! Thanks Tracey!
Great video, really helpful!! 🙂 To be honest, I’d never really heard about probiotics, but I was watching TV the other day and got sucked into this PBS special with a host named Brenda Watson. She seemed to really know her stuff, if anyone needs more info I found her website http://www.brendawatson.com to be really helpful. I’m still trying to research how I know exactly which probiotic to get for me, I’m scared to get the wrong one! I don’t have any specific health problems I’m trying to fix, but after watching the special it just seemed like they had so many health benefits I figured why not try them? Any suggestions anyone?
Hi Kate! I gave suggestions underneath the video there about the probiotics that I use and suggest. Even if you don’t have any specific digestive troubles, almost everyone could probably be benefited by probiotics!
Hi Kate!
The company Tracy goes through is based out of Canada right? I get mine from ReNew. They’re based out of Florida if you’re in the US like me! Good luck!
Thanks Erica! Yeah the shipping from Canada is so expensive but I wasn’t sure where else to order in the US, I’ll look into that ReNew company, thanks!! 🙂
I didn’t mean you can only get them in Canada…you can get these probiotics in the states easily! from Amazon.com Seroyal – HMF- Forte 120 vcaps
and from Rockwell Nutrition http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/hmf-forte-probiotic-capsules-by-genestra.html
[..YouTube..] Great video!! You gave me a few things to add to my next vid about probiotics! Keep up the great work! You are awesome! 🙂
Hey Tracy!
When you used to ferment apple juice with kefir, did you just use the pasteurized store bought stuff, or did you juice your own apples? Also, what is your stand on milk kefir since you’re not a fan of milk? I can’t afford to buy organic milk, so is pasteurized milk for kefir alright in your opinion? Thanks for all your great information so far! Peace 🙂
I juiced my own apples, but you could probably do it with store bought juice… try to get a high quality one without anything weird in it though. You can actually make kefir (from water kefir grains) with anything that has sugar in it. The bacteria eats the sugar as it ferments… lots of people use coconut water, or just cut up a bunch of fruit and put it in some water and use that, or throw dried fruit like raisins in there. I’d maybe put your kefir grains in like… a little mesh net or something if you’re going to do that… I tired it once and then realized that you have to fish the grains out from from the raisins after… not fun!
Pasteurized milk for kefir isn’t ideal, but I think it’s okay if that’s all you can get! The fermenting process eats the milk sugars and proteins and adds back all the good stuff that pasteurizing kills.
I bought some probiotics and the bootle says to keep it at temparature between 15 and 20 C ????
Hmm… that’s really very strange. What brand is it? Where’d you get them?
I got them at the drug store the brand is Jamieson.
Hmm.. well I donno. I really don’t trust probiotics that have been left at room temperature, even if it says otherwise! I could be wrong about them, but high quality is important otherwise they aren’t doing any good
Hi Tracy,
Quick question if I may…you mentioned in the video how pro-biotic supplements can sometimes be destroyed by stomach acid. I’m experiencing a terrible reflux, indigestion situation (I’m certain it’s due to too little stomach acid). Would it be okay to take pro-biotic supplements to help my digestion problem, even though my stomach acid is out of whack?
I’m asking because I’m thinking of taking hydrochloric acid (Betaine HCI) supplements before using a pro-biotic. I’m reading how taking this supplement short term can help the body stomach produce acid. I’m also reading how the body will depend on it for stomach acid if used long term, which I reaaally don’t want.
Thank you so much!
Yes I think it’s okay, if you get a good quality brand like I recommend that isn’t supposed to be destroyed by stomach acid. And yes if you are having reflux problems, I would suggest taking hydrochloric acid for a short while!
Thanks for your reply! I’m going to purchase the pro-biotic you recommended. I’m super excited actually. It’s just another piece of the puzzle. 🙂 Have a beautiful day!
Hi,
I know you mentioned tempeh but I’m just wondering what your opinions are on it. I’m just slightly confused as I stay away from Soy products but because this has been fermented does that mean it’s ok for acne sufferers?
Thanks,
Amy
I think tempeh is okay to eat (although I might not eat it breakfast, lunch and dinner)! The fermenting makes it more digestible and gets rid of lots of the hard to digest anti-nutrients in soy. It makes it a lot easier to digest and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. If you are someone really, really sensitive to soy though (which for some people this is a major source of their acne), I’d stay away from tempeh, but if not, go ahead.
Hey Tracy,
Check out http://www.pearlsprobiotics.com. They offer high quality probiotics that don’t have to be refrigerated (great for people who like to travel!). I got them through my Natural Pharmacist, but they can also be ordered straight through the website.
Cheers!
Kalyn
Oh I’ve seen those before… I think my friend had them. They look really good actually… I might look for those next time I pick up some probiotics. Thank you so much Kalyn!
Did you take the HMF Forte probiotic the first time you did the candida cleanse too?
Hi Samia – no I didn’t, I don’t remember the exact brand… it’s a pretty common one that you can get at health food stores (well in Canada anyway) that comes in a green package and they are more like little individual cups of probiotic drink.. kind of like a really sour milky thing… I wish I could remember the name.
Hey Tracy, I just got Garden of Life Primal defense 180 tablets (A pretty good probiotic) And I talked with one from the website that I got it from via E-mail and they said I should store in a dry cool place meaning no refrigerator but.. Should I just ignore it and store it in the refrigerator?
Hi Adel,
No, some don’t require refrigeration, including the soil based probiotics like Primal Defense, so I’d just keep it on the shelf!
Oh I see.. Do you think something would happen if I keep it in the fridge? I suppose it’s just an OCD thing but I’m just worried that the bacterias will die even though it’s soil-based.
haha I don’t know. It would probably be fine in the fridge too.
Hmm.. In any case – What supplement do you use? I bought the Garden of Life Probiotic but.. To be honest it doesn’t feel like they’re working anymore.. I dunno if it’s just me but what do you use? 🙂
Ah I’m not taking one right now but I’ve taken a few different ones… biokult, prescript assisst, HMF forte. I don’t know if I’ve found one that I REALLY like more than the others… I think with probiotics it’s trial and error trying to find one that works really well for you… everyone has different bacteria in their gut, so it makes sense that you might have to search to find the one with the strains that fill in what you need
Hi Tracy! I know this is an old article but I hope you see this comment.
How long is a probiotic, such as Bio-Kult, meant to be taken? Just until digestion symptoms subside? And would Bio-Kult help with any Candida problems? Even though it may not be as effective as a straight up Candida cleanse, would it still help a little?
Thanks!
Sarah
You can take probiotics indefinitely, or until you just don’t feel like it anymore! I usually take them off and on, more out of laziness about buying more, but ideally I wouldn’t mind taking them all the time. I’d say if you don’t want to do a full candida cleanse, take a course of antifungals with your probiotics (just take them at separate times of day).
Thank you!
Are there any particular antifungals you’d recommend?
And I know everyone is different, but are there any common side effects experienced when taking probiotics or antifungals?
Hi Sarah, not any common side effects except detox symptoms, where it might get worse before getting better. And those could manifest in many different ways. Antifungals.. Candex, Candigone, Canplex. Or you could use a combination of things like virgin coconut oil, raw garlic, pau d’arco etc