KOMBUCHA SAYS WHAT?

Kombucha, also known as the Manchurian or Kargasok mushroom, is not a mushroom but a symbiotic mixture of lactobacilli and yeast cultures.
Lactobacillus is a genus of Gram-positive facultative bacteria that are present in the gastrointestinal tract, and are an important genus of the gut flora. Commonly found in foods such as yogurt it acts as a pro-biotic when consumed.
As a Pro-biotic, kombucha aids the Stomach in the breakdown and digestion of food. Beneficial bacteria and yeasts, that comprise the live kombucha tea competes with and helps remove harmful bacteria, yeast and parasites.
Kombucha has also been said to aid the spleen, intestines, gall bladder and pancreas.
There have been some reports that have claimed toxicity and harmful side effects in those consuming Kombucha tea. However these reports were traced back to individuals making the tea at home where it was exposed to contamination.
You can find clean processed kombucha tea at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Henry’s Markets or your local health conscious grocer.

SUPPLEMENTATION

It seems that lots of people are taking supplements these days to improve their health. The store shelves are lined with bottles upon bottles of everything from multi-vitamins to enzyme Co-Q10 and you find yourself wondering which ones may be right for you. But before you run out to your local nutrition store to stock up, consider a few things first. The human body is a highly regulated system that works to maintain a constant level of homeostasis thru metabolic checks and balances. The supplementation of nutrients that the body is not in need of can artificially tip these balances and may actually lead to complications. Instead, consider eating whole food sources. There are many nutritional benefits from eating whole foods that you can’t get from pill. In addition, the body can process the nutrients as it sees fit thru its own metabolic system. The consumption of pills can sometimes bombard the body with a nutrient end product that its doesn’t know what to do with. Of course eating your recommended 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day is often times very difficult in today’s society. Supplementing with a good multi vitamin and mineral is a great way to ensure that you are getting your daily nutrients. When looking at other supplements, be sure to do your research and consult with your doctor or a nutritionist first.