The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Tp (Knoxville, Tn) on 06/03/2018
I have been making and using kefir for about a month or so and like it drink 20oz or more a day, morning+night. I have recently been experiencing very loose stool and gas. I have high BP and type 2 diabetes. But I take metformen twice a day 1000m for it and stays around 100. For BP I take lisinopril, amlodipine, metaprolol, hydrochlolothiazide (! )
Could any of these with kefir be the source of the diarrhea?
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Joe (BC, Canada) on 07/22/2024
No kidding, kefir hit your satisfaction button! Drinking half a gallon a day! It has alcohol in it. The strength could be up to 2-3% by volume. The guys who like second fermentation kefir get even stronger alcohol beverage, could be up to 5%, like beer!
Alcohol in kefir is not the biggest problem though. Drinking kefir can cause SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth), especially in the case of compromised/weak immune system. And that's the problem. When too many, those lactobacteria turn into pathogens. To avoid it, either reduce consumption of kefir, or using kefir grains make a small amount (~50-100 ml) of the "starter kefir", then put it with no kefir grain, just the kefir liquid, into a big batch (2-3 liters) of milk and stir. Let it get fermented as usual. This "derived" kefir will have lower bacterial load and virtually, no alcohol. It can be drunk in any quantities.
Increased Life Expectancy
Posted by Herbal (Ontario, Canada) on 06/29/2017
Hello Mr. Raghavan,
I was reading on kefir, also started making it, and having it for week. While reading I came across this site and it was wonderful to read. I have a problem that somewhere within a day or two, I got a very bad pain in my back and it is still persisting. I took pain kill too, as it was difficult to breath..I think I started with a cup..I want to continue...Please if you can give some suggestions.
Increased Life Expectancy
Posted by Elena (New Zealand) on 07/10/2017
If you use kefir itself, not the grains as a starter, inoculate milk with a small amount of kefir, then your next kefir will be milder in taste. Kefir made with the grains is actually a starter in the commercial setting, it may have too many bacteria and yeast.
If kefir is left on the bench to ferment more after it is ready (thickened) it will have a buildup of lactic and acetic acid which will eventually suppress the yeast and bacteria. Not really good to have too much acid.
Elena
Adrenal Fatigue
Posted by Id (Idaho) on 05/31/2017
Do you think water kefir would work as well? Did you start with particular brand? thanks!
Adrenal Fatigue
Posted by Sandy (IL) on 12/01/2022
Hello Mama to Many,
Do you think home made butter milk also will work in a same way as kefir? Butter milk is made with Yogurt and after adding some water and churning it.
Adrenal Fatigue
Posted by Pam E. (SW Calif.) on 04/04/2025 166 posts
Not after reading the following article! Now I'm thinking of trying making Coconut Water Kefir!
Water Kefir
- Benefits, Uses, How to Make It, & More
- Dr. Axe
https://draxe.com/nutrition/water-kefir/
Energy, Digestion, Eye Puffiness
Posted by Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 12/28/2013
Zahira: I take 1 gallon home brewed water kefir daily. I get more energy than the 120g organic whole flour and organic whole cane sugar I put in. I believe kefir is the most potent of all remedies. The microbes change matter into gases that pulsate at very high energies. The nutrients are more active and available. You are experiencing a detox reaction. I am going to tell you what you must do to get well like me. I went through this myself so I understand this is not going to be a pleasant experience. For 24 hours eat raw organic fruit and raw honey, make green smoothies from organic baby leaves, and 0 fat. Dr. Doug Graham candida at naturalnews says the candida does not eat sugar in the presence of insulin when there is 0 fat. The lifespan of candida is measured in hours. Dieting is not an option because low levels of atp increase the diseased state according to Andrew Kims 3 blogs. Candida eats the sugar in the blood causing low blood sugar and chronic fatigue. Some of the candida dies and the rest hides behind biofilm makes spores and goes dormant waiting for some food. After 24 hours follow the 80/10/10 program. This nourishes the cells and creates an atmosphere where candida does not reawaken. Watch raw food for candida videos.
Energy, Digestion, Eye Puffiness
Posted by Tochukwu (London) on 04/28/2014
What do mean by 80/10/10? You didn't explain it very well.
Energy, Digestion, Eye Puffiness
Posted by Anonymous (Usa) on 12/22/2014
Gasses don't 'pulsate' at high 'energies.' This is your typical bla bla of people without any science education. If you experience problems then I would think twice before taking any of the replies seriously!
Energy, Digestion, Eye Puffiness
Posted by Sam (Miami, FL) on 12/22/2014
Real kefir WON'T give you what you call side effects.
Kefir Tips
Posted by Ozmel (Melbourne, Australia) on 11/08/2013
★★★★★
Hello everyone, the kefir consumers,
I have been consuming kefir for the last 6 months. It really has done wonders for me for my bowel.
Please do not use metal utensils when dealing with kefir. It spoils in time. Instead of the benefits you will see ill effects. Metal containers, spoons, strainers and any other metal utensil will destroy your kefir. Wooden, glass and plastic utensils are the ones to use. You will see your kefir grow healthy and you will also take pleasure by sharing it with your friends.
Happy kefir making to all.
Ozmel.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Pam (Springdale, Ar 72762 Usa) on 05/24/2013
Joy from falls, you need to drink water kefir not soy it is made with water and is wonderful contact me and I will tell you how pjaco (at) cox (dot) net.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Sam (Miami, FL) on 12/22/2014
Water kefir? Are you talking about kombucha? Kefir is made from milk, cow or goat. Goat kefir is available even at some Walmarts.
Stay away from any form of soy unless it is fermented.
Take everything you read with a grain of salt. GOOD, reputable sites to educate yourself, based on the LATEST research are
The Daily Lipid and Mercola.com. If some scientist or doctor makes sense, Dr. Mercola woould interview him. Period.
General Feedback
Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 04/19/2012
I have been using kefir for a few years but in the food matters one of the Dr. said milk kefir reacts with the fat and is not good, has anyone else heard of this? Lardiver
General Feedback
Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford Bc Canada) on 01/11/2014
I have since found that this was not what the Dr in Food Matters was saying. I am still drinking my kefir and eating the grains. Not too many people like my milk kefir so I have a lot of grains, I keep them in the fridge and change them around now and then. I tried making water kefir but just couldn't get it to work, it did not taste good. some time I will try again.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa Usa) on 10/21/2010
Hi Deidre - That is really interesting. I was just cruising the internet looking at the Kefir thing and Lisa's posting on it last night. I know a few people who would pay money for those side effects on a Saturday night. Lol (just kidding I think). ;-) I am really wondering what it tastes like. Is it like drinking liquid yoghurt ? Do you think it may have been the infamous "herxheimer" effect? Everything Lisa and the web says about it just sounds so darned good. I am still considering it.
Thanks for the feedback and your experience with it! Carly :)
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Roger (Colorado Springs, Colorado) on 05/12/2011
Deirdre from Atlanta, Georgia, you might try water kefir. I doubt if the water kefir microbes make tryptophan.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Julie (Atlanta, Ga) on 12/28/2011
Deirdre, The brain fog you experienced from kefir is what Donna Gates, author of the Body Ecology Diet, states comes from an over growth of yeast (candidiasis). Check out her website at www.bodyecology.com - her diet has changed my quality of life by giving me good health back & now I drink kefir without the brain fog symptoms.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Susan (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 05/23/2012
I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome a few years ago and I was taking medication for it and they said I was going to have to be on the medication for the rest of my life but when I started drinking the kefir I dont have any side effects from it and I have been drinking it for months. In fact, it totally lowered my blood pressure and it is even getting rid of my pcos and my cysts.
Kefir Side Effects
Posted by Joe (BC, Canada) on 07/22/2024
It could be tryptophan or it could be alcohol or both. Kefir can contain quite a percentage of alcohol. Usually, it' about 1-3%, but if it's second-fermented the alcohol could by up to 5%, like in beer.
Digestion, Candida
Posted by Carolyn (Hobbs, Nm) on 08/24/2010
★★★★★
If anyone is battling candida or any digestive problems for that matter, research KEFIR. I drink it daily and it has helped me tremendeously. It is good for lots of ailments and there is a ton of information on the internet. Just google Kefir Benefits. Oh yes, you can buy kefir grains to make your own kefir on ebay. Get the Caucasus grains. I like them better. Carolyn
MRSA
Posted by Carolyn (Hollywood, Florida) on 12/04/2008
★★★★★
At the end of 2006, I contracted MRSA. I still have scars from that early time before I learned about kefir. I only bought one batch of kefir grains in early 2007, and I am still fermenting using grains created from that first batch. I never took any antibiotics. After I started sipping homemade kefir all day and night, I have never had any more outbreaks, except one time in 2008, I stupidly cut back on the amount of kefir I was drinking and got paid back with an outbreak on my chest. I am sipping my kefir as I write this. My primary said my MRSA looks "dormant". Yes, it is "sleeping" but if I stopped kefir, it would rage up again.
I sprinkle some turmeric in a couple times a day. Mike will teach you all about how to make your own fresh kefir at home. Or write to me. BTW, I do not eat any kind of meat or fish, because they contain HEME iron which causes MRSA bacteria to rage up. I am 66, I garden, shop, do my web work, and live normally just as I did before I contracted this hideous MRSA. If I can do this, so can you! Anyone can email me anytime. I care about people with MRSA.
Candida
Posted by David (Terry, MS) on 12/22/2007
★★★★★
I managed to give myself a yeast infection with an overzealous attempt at home-brewed root beer. I don't know how serious this sort of infection is, but I finished it off by drinking lots of water and lots of a cultured yogurt product called kefir. The idea was to flush the yeast, dead or alive, out of the gastrointestinal system and replace/combat it with the bacteria in the cultured kefir drink.
Yogurt
Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc) on 11/06/2014
I have an idea that I want to try and wonder if anyone else has tried this. My plan is to make my milk kefir and while it is still room temperature make yogurt and add the kefir to the mix before putting it into the yogurt maker. This if it works will give the yogurt all the bacteria of kefir, 20 some strains of bacteria instead of just the 3 strains of bacteria of yogurt. For those who don't know about bacteria, the probiotic pills you buy have 15 - 50 billion cultures of bacteria, yogurt has 100 times more and kefir has 400 times more. A lot of people don't like kefir so if growing it in yogurt makes it taste better then this will make it easyer for them to get the benefits.
Yogurt
Posted by Gert (Tenn) on 04/07/2017
★★★★★
I like the thought of using kefir milk to make yogurt. My homemade kefir, even after a second ferment, is just not a taste I like. Also, my dh doesn't like the 'mess' it makes with it fermenting, straining, etc. I like homemade yogurt and, if this is really a good idea, then I'll make a batch of kefir milk, use it to make yogurt and then just keep using my yogurt to keep it going. I don't know if there is any science showing that the kefir bacteria/yeast/etc can grow in the yogurt process thereby making the yogurt more healthy. I like kefir because it can repopulate the gut and yogurt cannot. Can anyone give me a reason not to do this? If you have done it, can you tell any difference between regular yogurt and kefir yogurt? I use yogurt like sour cream on my oatmeal in the morning, wierd but a taste I like.
How to Make Ginger Ale Kefir
Posted by Wendy (Sun City West, AZ) on 06/16/2024
Please tell me know many kefir grains you use to make the gingerale????
Thanks,
Wendy
Kefir Tips
Posted by Planky (New York, United States) on 11/09/2013 7 posts
I bought water Kefir grain on ebay and instructions were not clear. Put it in sugared water and waited 36 hours and still looks like colored water. What should I do?
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Posted by Jim (St. Louis, MO) on 04/01/2007
★★★★★
Kefir for Seborrheic Dermatitis
I have had a worsening case of suborrheic dermatitis for several years. It started around my upper lip and chin and ended up in my ears. Prescriptions mildly controlled it, but not well, are expensive, and frankly I don't trust them very much. I tried several reccomended natural and "home" remedies, none of which worked very well. And then I started drinking kefir, a cultured milk beverage. I started drinking it because it's really tasty and I can digest it (I'm lactose intolerant), but found that when I drink it regularly my suborrheic dermatitis goes away. When I don't drink kefir for several days it starts to come back. Typically I've found myself drinking a 32 oz. bottle every two to three days. I've tried a couple of brands, but the Helios brand seems far superior to the other brand I tried (which I had trouble digesting). So I really reccomend it. At the very least, you'll be drinking something that tastes great and is good for you (live foods rock). And if it works for your skin ailements too, all the better. Good luck!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Dawn (Holland, NY) on 03/23/2007
★★★★★
Kefir is great for lots of things. I've been using it to help my daughter's LGS. It helps you lose weight, detoxes your liver, restore intestinal flora, allergies, and so much more. It coats your intestines and helps your body break down foods. I drink 2 C a day. If you are just trying it out you might want to start with 2 oz a day and slowly increase it. I wouldn't recommend the store bought kind in the US. It only has 4 different bacteria in it. If you make your own Kefir it was over 30 things that are great for you. Plus if you are lactose intolerant, you can handle Kefir.
