Fermented foods, gut health,and probiotics for a happy brain and strong immune system on PaleoJay Podcast 37

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Fermented foods, gut health,and probiotics for a happy brain and strong immune system!

Let’s say you know to eat “gluten free”, and you eat grass fed beef, wild caught fish, big salads, nuts- you are a Paleo Person and you know all this stuff and more- you have found that eliminating grains has had many happy results for you; helping you to lean out and improve your skin, your hair, and your teeth.  All of these happy results are typical upon adopting the paleo type of diet!

And, even more!  You know to eat good fats, you know the Vitamin K from pastured butter is wonderful for your teeth and bones, and even your mental health; and you also know that coconut oil with its medium chain triglycerides is also extremely beneficial both for the health of your arteries and brain, your skin, and your sense of satiety.

You, Paleo Person extraordinaire, are really onboard with all of this: why, you even make a big ol Paleo Smoothie each morning in your Vitamix blender that you bought with free shipping from the link  https://secure.vitamix.com/Default.aspx?COUPON=06-007058  on www.paleojay.com-   and along with all of the frozen veggies and organic berries, green tea and lemon, you know to add a slice or two of Kerrygold pastured butter, and coconut milk and oil!

Congratulations!  You really have made a huge change in your health, and hopefully also in the health of your family!  I hope you consider yourself a “fitness/health leader” now, since you most definitely are one.  What you have done is to gradually remove the “Grain Washing” you have experiences over your lifetime- this is what I call the actual brain washing of nutritional myths we have been indoctrinated with over the past 50 years of so- the food pyramid and “my plate” lies promoted by the big grain and processed food industries to sell you poor quality food and get you to not eat real, nutritious, God made foods!  You know, like those listed just above- humanely, pastured meats, pastured butter, free range birds, coconut oil.... etc.

So congrats on your return to SANE eating, as Jonathon Bailor puts it.  Sane = Paleo.

But, you are probably still missing one crucial piece of the puzzle!  Most folks are:

Did you know that the health of your GUT, or, more specifically, the health of the many millions of bacteria that we co-evolved with, is crucial for the well-being of, not only our bodies, but for the health of our BRAINS!?  We evolved with bacteria, and exist with them in synergy- much of what they do for us (and us for them, as a host organism) is still unknown.  But many bodily processes have been outsourced to them for many thousands of years, and we rely upon them to digest food for us, secrete chemicals that help our body processes, and probably a lot more as yet undiscovered.

Another lie we have grown up with, is that everything has to be refrigerated and kept completely antiseptic to be healthy to eat.  This notion is right up there with the fat is bad for us myth...

We really, really need healthy bacteria within us at all times- and what, pray tell, can give you this healthy gut?
Fermented foods!

I have bought a perfect pickler, which is really just a fermentation lock, such as is used in beer and wine making, that conveniently fits atop a wide-mouth mason jar, available almost anywhere.  Batch one of pickled mushrooms is perking away now, in the Paleo Jay Smoothie Cafe!  Each mushroom, in just 3 or 4 days will be a probiotic bacteria powerhouse, enriching my gut, and consequently then my brain, with happy dancing little bacterial friends!  Can’t wait- and, I love pickled foods just for that taste!

Also, I know I have mentioned it before, but make yourself some Kefir, or else buy yourself some Amasi from Beyond Organic!

This one ingredient has become essential in the Perfectly Paleo Smoothie that I make almost daily. To make Kefir is easy- obtain some grains online, I notice now that Amazon sells many varieties and from numerous sources- I have had mine for several years and they work wonderfully- I think they cost about $5.  All you have to do is add the grains to a glass bottle, fill said bottle with either goats milk or raw milk if available; but even standard whole milk will do... That’s it- let it sit out a couple of days, and you will have your Kefir- then, you can refrigerate it so it doesn’t get too tangy!


But, if time or taste (kefir is quite tangy- I like it, some people don’t... Amasi is a fantastic choice!  Beyond Organic is the only U.S. source I know of-
http://janebowers.mybeyondorganic.com/Products_BeveragesAmasai.aspx  and they make a wonderful product that tastes amazing, and is just as beneficial as kefir.  It is great in the Paleo smoothie (I use 8 ounces or 1/2 of a bottle in mine), but it also tastes great all by itself, and is a wonderful total meal replacement!

So, again- Ungrainwash yourself!  And, while you are at it, feed, nourish, and repopulate your gut with billions of little pals that almost everyone in the modern Western world is missing- friendly bacteria- by eating fermented foods daily- kefir, amasi, and pickled foods like real fermented pickles are ideal, sauerkraut, really any pickled veggie you do yourself is the best, though there are companies that make the real deal as well.  Major brands are pasteurized for the most part, and just packed in vinegar so all of their bacteria is dead. Avoid these brands! Even ketchup used to be a fermented product- now, it’s just sugar tomato juice that is horrible for you...

We have gotten so far from our real, natural, nourishing food traditions!  It is up to us, you and me as health leaders to get us back on track!  So, eat real food!  And now, make sure that some of it is fermented each day!

J

Paleo Smoothie SUPER INGREDIENTS!

Butter gets a very bad rap!  "High saturated fat- artery clogging and fattening!"

B.S.- Butter satisfies! Butter is loaded with nutrients you need and want, things like Vitamins A, D, and K...  Butter, particularly grass fed, or pastured butter such as the Kerrygold shown above, will up your satiety level, so you do not feel hungry at all- that's because you have satisfied your body's nutritional needs so well by eating it!  Here is some really cool info about butter from Dave Asprey, his Bulletproof Butter info-graphic!

Pretty much sums it up- that's why I include pastured butter in the Paleo Smoothie! Use a healthy Tablespoon or so- don't skimp on this nutrient powerhouse.   Nothing against Dave's "Bulletproof Coffee"- I think it is just great; I'd just rather have the butter in the resultingly creamy smoothie, and add coconut oil and whipped cream to my coffee, thanks... same end result!

Beets- I personally love beets!  But, to get them in my diet, since I am the only one in the PaleoJay Cave that appreciates them- aye, there's the rub!

The thing about beets is that they are so good for you, particularly good for your cardiovascular health.  They can lower high blood pressure as well, and are particularly high in vitamin C, as well as other nutrients- and so, I have begun adding dried beet powder to the Paleo Smoothie!  

Find it readily at bulkfoods.com   (scroll to the bottom for the beet powder...)

Beet it- Beet it! oh well, enough of that....

KEFIR- 

Here is some of my home made Kefir!  I strongly recommend you take up this new "hobby" of kefir making- not only is kefir simple to make, it has become a mainstay of the Paleo Smoothie- I use about a cup per day!  That is a cup of very potent probiotics, each and every day- needless to say, my gut is now very happy indeed!

"But Jay, but Jay!" I hear you plaintively cry.

"I don't know HOW to make kefir!!"  Sob.

It's really, really simple- first, you need some kefir grains.

Never fear- just go here- cultures for health.

Buy the milk culture grains- they will last you for the rest of your life, and you can give some away every week for the rest of your life as well!  Be a hero- order some Kefir grains!

You can buy the grains elsewhere as well, I bought mine off of Ebay, and they are great!  But whatever, get some grains!

Then, put them in a mason jar (that works the best, but almost any glass jar with a lid will work fine), add raw milk if you can, but it you can't (Thanks FDA!), use goat's milk, or coconut milk!  I have been using a mix of about 1/2 coconut milk, and 1/2 goat's milk, and I just love it!  These grains will culture just about any high fat type of product...All are good to use!

I put the (2 at a time) mason jars on top of my fridge with the jars loosely screwed on, overnight.  Usually, that is all the time you need- it's done!  The first time you do it you might want to wait a couple of days, and then just put the jars in the fridge- ready to pour into your Paleo Smoothie each morning!  Simple!  

When you get to the bottom of the jar, and only have about 1/4 cup left, add more milk and repeat the process.  You don't need to wash anything out, or "wash the grains" as some say, or anything at all- just add more milk, and age overnight!  

Your grains will thank you, your GUT will thank you, and your overall bodily health and vitality will thank you, since you are doing a great thing for the wonderful microbes in your body that actually digest and process the foods you eat for you.

GINGER, and Turmeric- the two most potent cancer fighters you can find!

Both of these "spices" or herbs are readily available, and are potent anti-inflammatory agents right off the bat!  Ginger appears to be particularly effective in fighting cancer as well, (as does Turmeric as well!), and anything that combats inflammation will be a potent ally to you in your search for health.  Powdered varieties are fine- just add a teaspoon or so each day to your smoothie, for maximum effect!


Just so you know, if all of the above seems overwhelming- YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALL!

Start out with my Beginning Paleo Smoothie... enjoy the benefits... and gradually progress to the

ULTIMATE PALEO SMOOTHIE!

One in which the nutrient density is OFF THE CHARTS,

WHERE YOUR HEALTH IS UNREAL!

You don't have to get there all at once- start slowly- and KEEP ADDING INGREDIENTS!

Add foods, spices, veggies, exercise and good sleep- 

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE NEW YOU!

J

Micro-nutrients, fermented foods, and...Beer!

I believe that the lack of "micro-nutrients" in the diet is hugely important to our health, and insofar as the mainstream health system would have it: micro-nutrients are not even on their radar.


By micro-nutrients I mean those nutrients within food that are not even tracked- miniscule parts of nutrition that no one values, no one knows about...  tiny little "benefits" that are discounted by the "powers-that-be", simply because they have never been studied, looked at, or...anything.


There are tons of micro-nutrients in virtually all natural foods.  We thrive on categorizing macro-nutrients- there is just something about the analytical, left side of our brains that wants to "pigeon hole" everything...  if we "pigeon hole" something, says our left brain, then we are all done with that, and can move on to something else!

To "pigeon hole"...

Let's go right brain here:  the BIG PICTURE!

Real food is, ultimately, a mystery!  It has big, macro-nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat.


But that hardly scratches the surface, really- there are so many compounds, enzymes, minerals, and unknown co-factors that we are actually laughably ignorant when it comes to actually knowing what is contained within a food. actually any real food!

For instance: fermented foods- sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, kefir, kambucha- anything that is fermented- there is so much in these foods that isn't really tracked by the mainstream- but there is so much good to be gained by including them in the diet.  The pro-biotic advantages alone are legion- the micro-organisms that are introduced and nourished in our intestines by these foods are huge in terms of our health- and all of it is virtually untracked by standard nutrition analysis!

Likewise with the enzymes in raw foods- these are "untracked" in how crucial they are in advancing our health nutritionally, much as the king in old books is credited with "saving" his people, with no credit being given to the foot soldier who actually did the real work of fighting off the enemy!  

Just a brief aside:  With a Paleo Smoothie you are including enzymes and every other micro-nutrient know (and unknown ) to man!


The King here is the Macro-nutrient- the actual fighter is the micro-nutrient- the fermented food-
Which is really more important??

Aren't they ALL CRUCIAL??

And then there's beer...

WHY does beer get such a bad rap, in Paleo circles?  Sure, it's made from grains, but...

It's Fermented!  Ta-DA!!

This makes a huge difference- when grains are mashed,  and then fermented, particularly if those grains are corn (or rice), as is the case in modern America, then the grain-based anti-nutrients are pretty much neutralized- kaput- zip-zero-nada!

The insulin spike from beer?(or other alcohol?)  

Nonexistant.

The only downside I can see to moderate beer consumption is that it will retard fat burning upon being drunk:  until the alcohol from the beer is "burned", there will be a pause in fat burning.

But it is only a "pause".

As soon as the alcohol is burnt up, the body will go back to fat burning, if so acclimated through Paleo living...

My bottom line?  

Beer (and it's near-twin, wine) are non-issues when it comes to Paleo living...

and should not be viewed as "deal breakers" in those considering a Paleo Lifestyle!

If needs be, you can envision yourself as a CAVEMAN, cradling a Martini glass, a beer mug, or a wine glass, preparatory to slaying a mastodon- 

There really is no contradiction therein.

J