Kefir Kommunity

We’re all about education here at Lifeway, so we were thrilled to wake up this morning and open our Chicago Tribunes and find an entire Digestive Wellness Report section. It’s chockfull of interesting stories on all things belly, from GI cancer to infant acid reflux, from going gluten free to the link between organic food and digestion. Probiotics are covered throughout the piece, and Lifeway has a beautiful pink and purple ad.

Check put what our spokesperson, health writer Leslie Goldman, had to say:

Q: I’m lactose intolerant. Are there any dairy products I can still enjoy?

A: Absolutely —just because you’ve been diagnosed with lactose intolerance does not mean you need to abstain from the entire dairy food group, nor should you, as it provides the bulk of your bone-building calcium needs. Between 30 and 50 million Americans suffer from lactose intolerance, meaning they don’t produce enough of an enzyme called lactase, normally manufactured by cells that line the small intestine, which breaks down lactose into a more easily absorbable unit. The result: Discomfort ranging from mild-to-intense nausea to cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. An array of lactose-free products can be found at many mainstream grocery stores, as well as calcium-fortified orange juice. There’s also kefir, a tangy, yogurt-like drink that’s been a staple in Russia for centuries and is gaining traction as a hot superfood in the US. A recent Journal of the American Dietetic Association study found that kefir can actually improve lactose digestion; the live and active bacteria cultures help break down milk’s sugars. Kefir also helps colonize the intestines, further protecting them from disease-causing bacteria. In addition, one cup of kefir supplies 30 percent of your daily calcium needs, is low in fat and contains a healthy dose of fiber, too.