Anyone heard of potential benefits of Kefir?

Ronk246 · June 19

Hi Y'all,

My wife was diagnosed 3 years ago with dementia, she is still very much with me, but I have seen many examples of her slow slide due to this horrible disease. Our GP prescribed two medications when she was diagnosed, Memantine and Donepezil. We have no idea how much they've helped.

We have a good friend who's a real health nut, she doesn't bug us about our lack of interest, but she does send me stuff when she thinks it may help. She sent me a article about how Kefir helps folks with dementia. Way deep in the article, I saw one mention of "Early stages", so I'm not sure it's going to be of any value to us. Has anyone heard about this?

l7pla1w2 · June 20

Memantine and donepezil seem to be widely prescribed, and IMO there's no way to tell whether they help, because you have nothing to compare them against. DW has been taking them for quite some time now, but I'm unconvinced they have had an effect, and she's really past the point of progression where they might make a difference.

As for Kefir, or any other suggestion from a friend who read an article, without some kind of scientific study, you don't know whether it's the Kefir that made a difference or not. Maybe by coincidence it helped one person, but that doesn't prove cause and effect. On the other hand, I think it's a healthy food, so it probably can't hurt.

SDianeL · June 20

there is a video online from Mayo Clinic about Kefir. It says studies are in very early stages and it’s not a cure. It may or may not slow progression. I would talk to the doctor before adding any supplements as they may interfere with the other medications she’s taking. My husband was on Memantine and it didn't seem to do anything. The Neurologist said it might improve his attention.

Chammer · June 20

Naturally fermented foods, including kefir are very beneficial for gut health especially if you ferment your own due to the natural probiotics. I started "fermenting" a few years ago and do my own kefir, saur kraut, and sour dough. There are studies that show a strong connection between the gut brain health. I dont have any off the top of my head that I can share here.

I use kefir for smoothies, Popsicles, salad dressings and make kefir cheese that I use for sandwiches and toast.

That being said, kefir is very tart. I use stevia as my sweetener of choice.

There is lots of information about kefir and other naturally fermented foods on YouTube and internet both about the benefits and how to do your own fermenting.

Kefir may have some preventative benefits if used as part of a best practices lifestyle but I doubt it will cure or prove to be a cure for dementia. But definitely good for you!

trottingalong · June 20

I have a very dear friend who is the healthiest person I have ever known. Ferments kiefer, grows most of her own vegetables and fruits, rarely eats meat if any (I’ve never seen her eat meat), runs, hikes, etc. She’s also a retired biologist. She was diagnosed last September at the age of 69. Her decline has been quite rapid. Her daughter is also a doctor (just throwing that in) who she recently had to move in with. Eating healthy is good, no matter what, but at this point there truly doesn’t appear to be any one thing that slows the progression. We are all searching for that “one thing” that will work for our loved one, but how do you truly know if it did help in any way?

Chammer · June 20

@trottingalong I watched a talk on genetics versus environment as to why some people develop hereditary diseases and others don't and the speaker used the analogy of "genetics loads the gun; environment pulls the trigger." As you point out about your friend, dementia don't care. It's gonna do its dirty work to whomever, whenever it chooses. All we can do is live our best life in the best way we know how.

trottingalong · June 20

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/246214#Comment_246214

Sad, but very true.

Anyone heard of potential benefits of Kefir?

Comments

Commonly Used Abbreviations

Community Guidelines

Categories