The microbes that live on or in your body make up your microbiome — what microbiologist Martin Blaser of the NYU School of Medicine defines as “all the organisms that call us home, that live in us and that interact with each other and with ourselves.” But just how many tiny inhabitants call our body home? The answer may surprise you. The Microbiome Numbers Don’t Lie So, as illustrated above, […]
The earliest record of fermented food dates back to 6000 B.C. in the fertile cresent. But since then almost every world culture has discovered fermented foods as way of preservation and flavor enhancement. Fermented apples are a fall staple in many Eastern European countries — there are so many apple-based fermented foods. Apple cider vinegar, apple brandy, fermented applesauce, apple wine, and apple sauerkraut. But today’s fermented recipe is a […]
Here at SCD Probiotics we enjoy brewing, fermenting and especially eating aforementioned brews and ferments. Oh yeah — and the health benefits are nice too. One of the supreme benefits of fermenting your own food is control over ingredients, timing and acidity. A favorite summertime brew for us is kombucha and we have compiled some krazy kombucha recipes for the adventurous brewer in you. For the sake of brevity, we […]
Sauerkraut is the perfect side dish to your grilled summer fare. Burgers, salmon, and grilled vegetables all pair nicely with a savory sauerkraut. And just to mix things up, here is a unique Bavarian sauerkraut variety featuring apples, caraway seeds and juniper berries. Have you heard about lacto-fermentation? Likely you are familiar with the process if not the term. Lacto-fermented foods are fermented by lactobacillus bacteria, which is a category […]
Amerindians in the Amazon harbor up to 50% more microbial species than North Americans. And researchers purport that our loss of microbial diversity has contributed to the proliferation of obesity and asthma. Since its unlikely that most of us will relocate to the Amazon, how can we get exposure to heirloom microbes? What Are Heirloom Microbes? Our ancestors likely had them. And many non-industrialized, hunter-gatherer groups still have them. […]
The word probiotic means “for life” or “promoting life.” Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. And until recently we didn’t fully appreciate the broad range of benefits that probiotics can have on the human body. What Are Some Common Benefits of Probiotics? Some of the conditions for which probiotics are commonly used are: Irritable bowel syndrome Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) […]
It may look like ordinary, brown dirt but your soil is a complex ecosystem, otherwise known as the soil food web. So, when even one link in the soil system is missing it can impact the quality and fertility of soil. And you guessed it! At the top of this pyramid is bacteria and fungi which break down organic matter. The breakdown of this organic matter by microorganisms results in […]
It’s been a long day, and after getting home from work, there’s one thing on your mind: relaxation. That looks different for every one but most people can agree that some of the best ways to wind down are through delicious treats, such as chocolate and wine. Unfortunately, being the health-conscience person that you are, you can’t rationalize indulging every day…. or can you? Recent research has shown the benefits […]
In a world where everyone is trying to sell you something, sometimes it’s nice to read scientific research. However, when researching certain topics, you may encounter “studies” that are sponsored by people who benefit from their results. I.e., a glitter company sponsoring a study on how glitter makes children feel. This isn’t an unusual practice. And you may be left wondering, “Which research can I trust?” “Do probiotics work?” At […]
Its been a good year for probiotics. Research has shown probiotic supplements to be effective for weight loss, digestive disorders, allergies, tooth decay, and colic in infants, just to name a few. We know you were busy. Here are the 5 best probiotic posts from our blog last year, in case you missed out. 1. DIY Probiotic Anti-Aging Mask We all want to age gracefully. At least, that’s what we […]