On Fermentation Rhythms, and Psychobiotic Microbes
Fermentation Starters Need Consistent Feeding, ..and Some Probiotics Strains are Psychobiotics That Can Affect Behaviors !
Feeding fermentation starters for sourdough bread, kefir or kombucha will become a rhythm in your life, consider that they are living cells, needing your care! Psychobiotics are probiotic strains, such as bifidobacterium that can module behaviors!
New year, new you! Consider focusing on improving your energies with a gut health reset.
As I’m writing this, we are entering a new year, it’s a time when our heart and minds are often full of hope and aspiration. But in the January doldrums we often feel sluggish from the celebrations and over-indulgence of the holidays just past, and ready for a ‘reset’. That’s why we tend to set new goals and have new hopes for the coming year. Many of these goals tend to revolve around health and self-improvement. So, if your gut, and goals, are ready for a new year’s reset reflect on the following thoughts about the rhythms of life and how healthy gut can lead you boldly past your hesitations……
The rhythms of fermentation, your sourdough starters, kombucha SCOBYs and kefir grains are living cells that need routine care and feeding.
Greetings from Dr. Holly, founder of The Merry Monk and MerryMonkFerments.com
Hi am Dr. Holly Huffman, founder and CEO of The Merry Monk….all things fermentation and gut health. I’m delighted to have you join me and to take you on a journey into the microcosm of your gut. Discover how to unlock the power of optimal health through nurturing a healthy gut…. by understanding the critical role of your microbiota, appreciating that what we feed them…like fiber-rich prebiotic foods helps them release molecules that your body thrives on! And let me teach you how to make probiotic rich fermented foods full of beneficial microbes.
New beginnings, consider discovering the rhythms of fermentation as a new goal.
“Beginning…..just let that thought wash over you” is a lyrical line from the song ‘Tell Your Heart to Beat Again’ by Danny Gokey, a beautiful song about new beginnings in life. Instead of setting new year’s resolutions I’d like you to think of new goals as waves washing over you, with the ebb and flow of trying new things you can continuously reset to find what serves you best. This is much like the rhythmic waves of fermentation. As you feed your starters and produce your tasty probiotic and nutrient rich treats you develop a rhythm, like the daily feeding of kefir, the weekly feeding sourdough or kombucha, and the monthly preparation of Kimchi. Well perhaps not all of those at once, but consider that your starters are living cells, your microbial friends, that need care and feeding, and they like to have a rhythm of feeding they are accustomed to.
Psychobiotics, …how your microbiome can help you Go Bold!
Perhaps your new goals include something bold, like starting a new career, or leading a group, or anything new that requires some GUTs to step out of your comfort zone and begin reaching new heights! Recent studies have shown that timid and fearful animals become calmer and bolder with changes to their microbiome! It’s part of the gut-brain axis, and how our behaviors are linked to our gut microbes. According to Drs. Sonnenberg, GI researchers, ‘by switching the microbiota from two groups of mice, the level of anxiety and subsequent behavior of the mice could be significantly altered – behavior depended upon which microbes were living in their gut.’ Research is actively underway to discover which strains of microbes modulate these effects. But consider this….
A strain of the probiotic 'Bifidobacterium' can change your dog’s behavior
Purina now sells a product containing a proprietary strain of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum that is proven to calm dogs and cats. Oh, harken the day when strains like this are commercially available to humans!! To be calm is to be more confident and relaxed enough to step out into new roles. In fact, I’ve recently adopted a rescue puppy that is so skittish and fearful that it is difficult to take her to new places, I can’t wait to try this new Purina probiotic supplement on her. I believe the trend for therapeutics of the future will be in the form of probiotics and there is substantial amount of research and development in that field at this moment! Stay turned to my Blog for more examples and updates.
Learn More About Fermentation, Your Gut and the benefits of Friendly Microbes:
In the Merry Monk seminars and the “Going with your Gut” workshop series you will learn all about the importance of gut health, causes of imbalance, preventative ways to protect your gut environment, the importance of probiotics and all about the wonderful world of fermented foods and beverages. You will learn how to prepare your own fermented products and starter cultures will be available. By making your own fermented foods and beverages you can tailor them to your tastes and save money versus buying store-bought varieties. For more information and to enroll in workshops please visit us at Merrymonkferments.com.
A Sante ! (to your Health!)
Holly
Written by: Dr. Holly Huffman, Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and founder of The Merry Monk, LLC
