Kombucha is a beneficial bacteria and yeasts; it is brewed with tea and sugar and fermented into a sweet and sour. Kombucha contains many amino acids and B vitamins in addition to its bountiful population of beneficial microorganisms, and is an excellent stimulant to digestion and the immune system.

 

 

Kimchi is made of cabbage and other vegetables and seasoned with salt, garlic, ginger and chili peppers. Lacto-fermentation occurs when sugars and starches are converted to lactic acid by the lactobacilli that are prevalent in vegetables and fruits.  Lactobacilli in fermented vegetables enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels.

 

 

Miso is made by adding an enzymatic culture to a base of soybeans and, often, a grain (usually wheat, barley, or rice). Salt and water are the only other ingredients of natural miso. Through aging, the enzymes reduce the proteins, starches, and fats into amino acids, simple sugars and fatty acids. It also contains lactobacillus bacteria which aid in digestion. Miso is used as a soup base but is also good in sauces, gravies, dips, spreads, dressings and marinades. Always use unpasteurized miso, and don’t boil it; high temperatures will kill the beneficial microorganisms. Miso is a superb source of easily-assimilated complete protein.

 

Sauerkraut is a cabbage that has been salted and lacto-fermented over a period of weeks. The beneficial bacteria so abundant in sauerkraut produce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic substances. The main by-product, lactic acid, not only keeps vegetables and fruits in a state of preservation but also pro motes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine.

 

 

Umeboshi are salty sour lacto-fermented pickled plums (ume) from Japan. Umeboshi are highly alkaline and used to neutralize fatigue, stimulate the digestive system and promote the elimination of toxins. They are valued for their natural antibiotic properties and ability to regulate intestinal health.

 

 

Tempeh is an ancient Indonesian staple made from cooked, split, fermented soybeans bound together with a mold that makes soy easier to digest and provides many valuable vitamins. Tempeh is an excellent protein source for calcium and iron, and the mold produces an antibiotic to increase the body’s resistance to infections.

• When your body is stressed, either physically or emotionally, it secretes cortisol. Cortisol is part of the fight or flight response. Faced with a “life or death” situation, cortisol increases the flow of glucose (as well as protein and fat) from your tissues and into the bloodstream to increase energy and physical readiness to handle the stressful situation or threat.
• Stress creates high cortisol levels in the bloodstream, which can result in overeating and weight gain.
• Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands. Cortisol assists you in regulating blood pressure, cardiovascular functions, and your body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Cortisol is also involved in glucose metabolism, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, and inflammatory response. Cortisol helps in responding to and coping with stress, trauma and environmental extremes.
• Chronic job stress can lead to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.
• Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Health problems associated with increased stomach fat include heart attacks, strokes, metabolic syndrome, and higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL).
• One in four Americans are considered clinically obese.
• General health and stress resistance can be enhanced by regular exercise, a diet rich in a variety of whole grains, greens, vegetables, and fruits, and by avoiding excessive alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

 

Info from the Cortisol Connection