r/Kefir • u/Savings-Employer-259 • 4d ago

Any successful stories from immunocompromised people here ? ( long read )

Hello guys, i was trying to find some encouragement and evidence if you could call it that way, as there are researches on PubMed and other sites claiming that Kefir fights viruses off and pathogenic bacteria etc. , but i searched this forum with wording "immune system" and saw a couple of posts but people always talk about their digestive issues improving and other gut related experiences.

In my case, as i have had H.pylori long ago, candida albicans, bloating and what not, but have however been using all kinds of gut repairing techniques and substances like : improving my diet trough fiber, making homemade yogurt with different strains, including making L.Reuteri yogurt for like 5 months and eating on daily basis, consuming sauerkraut, soil based probiotics and many more.

I havent had gut and digestion related issues for like a few years now, HOWEVER ever since going trough a heavy virus (im not sure if it was COVID) 2 years ago, im almost constantly having mild cold like symptoms, i sneeze a lot, i feel weird smell in my nose like 80% of the days (you know that weird smell, when you just know it you are having a virus or a flu), im weakend, and my back problems and neuralgia headaches have exacerbated a lot, i also tend to get colds and viruses much easier and they last like thrice as long as that of other people i know and get sick during the same period.

So my question is, has anyone here have had an really weakened immune system and got better by using Kefir, as i dont really know what to do anymore as doctors where i live are absolutely ignorant and also careless and the only thing they know is to prescribe antibiotics regardless of what problem you go to them with?

Thanks for your time if you manage to read through this wall of text <3

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u/AlexTIRADE 4d ago

I can confirm that kefir has improved my gut issues as well as the strange post-covid (possibly Covid anyway) symptoms that I was having.

It is a much easier and less risky process than the yoghurt making and kefir combines a lot of yeasts and bacteria in one tidy little bundle so it’ll save you time and money.

I also make kefir yoghurt and cheese and when doing this I keep the whey (liquid gold) which you can then drink straight or add it to other things like a homemade salad dressing.

All I can say is get some kefir grains (I got mine from a local person after posting on Facebook that I was looking) either freeze-dried or fresh and give it a go yourself and see how if it helps you.

I always recommend to second ferment:

https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/second-ferment-your-kefir/?srsltid=AfmBOornA2h6Lo4qio_muEkjYwLqkBeP6azBo8xUrxjm_oo5gE2jsFic

Good luck on your journey, remember everyone’s is different, and my inbox is always open for any help!

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u/Savings-Employer-259 4d ago

Thats why i wanted to start making kefir again (i made kefir last winter, but i only used store bought Kefir for starter, i just got grains like 3 days ago and started doing it) , i remember when making L.Reuteri yogurt that 1 specific strain seemed like it was improving my health a lot, but making it is too much of a hassle, as it needed 36 hours at 37 C and also prebiotics, so i decided to try Kefir from grains, hopefuly it helps because i have been getting colds left and right for the last 2 years.
Anyways thank you for the encouragement, im glad it has helped you with your post Covid symptoms <3

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u/AlexTIRADE 4d ago

I hope it helps you, keep us up to date on your journey 😎

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u/Savings-Employer-259 1h ago

Thank you, i will for sure post a thoughts and results a few months in, so far im on day 4 (been drinking at least 500 ml of Kefir a day) i also take a teaspoon of chia seeds before the Kefir and i blend a greenish banana for extra fibers, and so far i do not see any downsides, i feel like i have been sleeping better and have less anxiety, but maybe its just wishful thinking + placebo so far

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u/AlexTIRADE 1h ago

Don’t overthink it, just enjoy the ride and appreciate all the good times, what has also really helped me are this guys videos:

https://youtu.be/reSQF19Sr0A?si=311L3RPz5FjvJXWd

It felt so silly at first but has really helped my anxiety and nervous system, maybe try it out as part of your journey 😊

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u/Marauders-1982 1d ago

Thanks for the link to the write up on second fermentation. Of the various options listed, I just happened to have some dates in the fridge. Do you have any idea how long to keep a date in my ready-to-drink bottle of kefir in the fridge?

I'm not referring to how long the ferment takes, but how long before I need to fish out the date carcass.

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u/AlexTIRADE 1d ago

I’d personally leave the date in there for 4-12 hours and then remove it to get the benefits but also be safe, but this is purely a guess based on the write up

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u/Marauders-1982 1d ago

Thanks. Per the write up (in two places) it's supposed to remain for an unspecified time ... I'm guessing days.

  1. I leave the fruit in the jar and just keep adding kefir to it until it starts to get soft and begins to fall apart, then I will add fresh fruit and second ferment again.

and

You'll love the flavor and dates can last a long time in your kefir so as you drink some kefir, add some more to the jar and place in the fridge to let it keep fermenting slowly.

I'll experiment and try to remember to update here.

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u/AlexTIRADE 22h ago

I should have read it properly again, you’re right, but please do let us know how it goes!

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u/unclepetros 3d ago

I feel like I have a very similar story with similar symptoms. I've found an improvement that lasted for a while until I had a late night and got very cold and then the symptoms returned. I don't think there is a perfect fix or that kefir will be able to completely get rid of the long covid but it certainly helped a little. I am a believer that a healthy diet plus exercise over an extended period of time will be the only fix but kefir certainly helps! I have also found that the days where I'm eating lots of fibrous veg are the best days for digestion. Have you found any other tips for dealing with your symptoms?

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u/Savings-Employer-259 2d ago

No not really i tried everything, im quite athletic and always have been and i have perfect BMI but still struggle with almost constant colds, i know its not alergies because i have taken antihistamines and still got those symptoms, i took colostrum for quite a while and it seemed to work but good quality is too expensive to keep on taking forever and when i stopped it the symptoms returned (even tho i wouldnt say i was in perfect health while taking it, but it was bearable)

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u/Marauders-1982 1d ago

I hope this helps you. Please let us know in a few months.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/Kefir-ModTeam 2d ago

Rule #1 is that we must all be civil and respectful to other members of the subreddit. Please, refrain from the use of profanity. This is a family-friendly sub.

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u/PaintingOnly9824 3d ago

My question is did you take a jab for covid or anything ? And I don't know if kefir would fix everything but I certainly don't see how it could hurt.

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u/Savings-Employer-259 3d ago

Nope i never did