The difference between probiotic foods (like homemade yogurt and kefir) and probiotic capsules.

We are often asked what the difference is between probiotic foods (like homemade yogurt and kefir) and probiotic capsules and powders that can be consumed directly. There are many differences:

1. Probiotic foods(like yogurt and kefir) are alive and the bacteria are active. This means that when it gets to your intestines, it goes right to work. Pill and powder probiotics supplements take up to 6 hours to colonize in your intestines (if they even make it there).

2. Lacto-fermentation, such as the process used when making homemade yogurt and kefir, creates lactic acid as a by-product of fermentation, which means the bacterial culture is already living in an acidic environment. When it gets to the acids within your stomach, it can pass through unscathed. Most probiotic supplements cannot survive stomach acids.

3. With lacto-fermentation, fermented foods retain their vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids (since there is no heating involved). In fact, the bacteria make the nutrients more available to your body, so you get even more out of the fermented foods than if you had simply eaten them.

4. Bacteria need prebiotics to thrive. Prebiotics are the plant fibers found in probiotic foods and drinks. Research has shown that to increase the levels of bacteria in your gut, you need to have prebiotics as well as probiotics.

The research into this subject is ongoing and many other findings are often published frequently.

Probiotic drinks and foods create a synergistic effect among the various ingredients. That means the various substances have a combined effect that is greater than the sum of their separate benefits. This synergy can only occur when your probiotics are alive in food or drink.

Homemade yogurt and kefir (and other probiotic foods and drinks) provide a probiotic boost when consumed plain, in a moderate amount, and daily.