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Kefir and Respiratory Health
Benefits of Kefir
Kefir has long been used for its ability to support respiratory health, especially during the cold and flu season. I have seen this personally work well after respiratory infections and also through those who shared with me through many emails that they have gotten off of their asthma inhalers. It was one of the first things I noticed about kefir. It works powerfully on the lungs. The probiotics in kefir work to balance the immune system, which can help reduce the severity and frequency of respiratory infections, asthma, and more.
One of the first friends I ever told about cultured foods had a little boy with asthma. Making and drinking a kefir smoothie daily allowed him to get off his asthma inhaler and live a normal life. I was quite surprised and thrilled that it worked so rapidly. After consuming kefir regularly, he stopped needing his inhaler. After about six months, his mom stopped giving him kefir for a few weeks and one morning found her seven-year-old son standing in front of the refrigerator with big tears running down his cheeks, saying, "Mom, I feel my asthma coming back. I need my kefir!" It was a testimony that kefir was a powerful food that worked like medicine.
Gut-Lung Axis
The connection between gut and lung health, known as the gut-lung axis, suggests that improving your gut microbiome through regular kefir consumption can also benefit your respiratory system. It's a simple and effective way to enhance your overall wellness. [1]
Research has shown that kefir can significantly reduce inflammation in the lungs and airways, often linked to conditions like allergies and asthma.The live microorganisms present in kefir seem to naturally suppress allergic reactions and aid in changing the body’s response to allergies. Many scientists even believe these allergic reactions may be the result of a lack of good bacteria in the gut. Check out this article. Fermented Foods and Asthma. Animal studies indicate that kefir helps lower the presence of inflammatory cells and mucus buildup in these areas. It's believed that a lack of beneficial gut bacteria may contribute to allergic reactions, and introducing probiotics like those in kefir can help ease these symptoms. [2,3]
Reducing Pulmonary Inflammation
Kefir’s powerful peptides have also shown promise in reducing pulmonary inflammation caused by particulate air pollution, helping to protect and heal lung tissue. By lessening inflammatory cell infiltration and decreasing the expression of inflammatory mediators in the lungs, kefir offers a natural way to support respiratory health and I have seen some amazing healings with kefir and the lungs. [4]
Kefir Testimonies
For many years, I've received many emails and have witnessed friends find relief from food allergies and asthma with the consumption of kefir and cultured veggies. In the early days of making cultured foods, I ran into a woman at a health food store who had come to one of my classes. She was over the moon excited to tell me that her husband no longer needed his asthma inhaler after fifteen years of use, just by having kefir every day. She said she was a believer in the power of these foods that could work like medicine.
More Help From Kefir
Just recently, a close family friend suddenly came down with uncontrollable coughing to the point she would throw up. She also began developing severe food allergies. Exasperated after going to the doctor and finding only help with more antibiotics, which seemed to make things worse, she asked me for help. I told her about kefir, and she started making Easy Kefir. From day one, it stopped her cough, and her food allergies subsided. She found that if she had it every day, all her problems would go away. If she didn't consume it, symptoms would come back, so now she drinks it several times a day and calls kefir her food that works like medicine.
Check out more testimonies on our Live Touched Page.
Kefir and lung health
Kefir is a powerhouse for supporting respiratory health, thanks to its rich probiotic content. Here are some of the key benefits kefir can offer for your lungs and overall respiratory system:
1. Strengthens the Immune System
The probiotics in kefir, particularly the Lactobacillus strain, help to strengthen your immune system, which plays a crucial role in fighting off respiratory infections. A healthier immune system means your body can fend off illnesses like colds, bronchitis, and even pneumonia more effectively. [5]
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Inflammation in the respiratory tract is a common issue in conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or even allergies. Kefir has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the lungs, easing symptoms and promoting better breathing. [6]
3. Rich in Nutrients that Support Lung Health
Kefir is packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, all of which are vital for healthy respiratory function. Vitamin D, in particular, is known to support lung health by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.
4. Fights Respiratory Infections
Probiotics found in kefir can help balance the gut microbiome, which is closely linked to the health of other bodily systems, including the respiratory system. A balanced microbiome can reduce the severity of respiratory infections and even lower the frequency of colds and flu. [7]
5. Help with Allergies and Asthma
Some studies suggest that regular consumption of kefir can improve symptoms of allergies and asthma by modulating the immune system. By promoting a healthy immune response, kefir may reduce the overactive reactions that cause symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.[8]
6. Cleansing and Detoxifying the Lungs
Kefir contains beneficial yeasts that can help eliminate mucus buildup in the respiratory tract. This is particularly helpful if you’ve had a respiratory infection, as clearing mucus from the lungs allows for better airflow and quicker healing.
How to Use Kefir for Respiratory Health
Drink 1 to 2 cups of kefir daily for the best benefits. Whether you're recovering from a respiratory infection or simply want to boost your lung health, incorporating kefir into your daily routine can be a natural and effective way to keep your respiratory system in peak condition.
Kefir is more than just a drink—it’s a healer that works from the inside out, nourishing every system in your body, including your lungs. So sip up, and breathe easy knowing that kefir has your back!
Two Ways To Make kefir
Easy Kefir
Kefir Grains
Listen To My Podcast
Kefir has long been used for its ability to support respiratory health, especially during the cold and flu season and for those with asthma or any lung problem. The unique probiotics in kefir can work wonders. Tune in to learn more.
References:
- https://www.rupahealth.com/post/the-role-of-gut-health-in-respiratory-function-insights-from-functional-medicine
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/milk-kefir-nutritional-microbiological-and-health-benefits/1393DC2B8E5F08B0BE7BD58F030D387B
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0171298507000666
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6687726/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212958823000873#
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/milk-kefir-nutritional-microbiological-and-health-benefits/1393DC2B8E5F08B0BE7BD58F030D387B
- https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/81/3/267/6652871?login=false
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9002914/
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