If you want to learn more about how to make your own fermented foods, including kefir, the subject covered very thoroughly in this book:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1931498237
Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods
by Sandor Ellix Katz

I keep saying I'm going to make almond or soy milk yogurt one of these days, but have never gotten around to it. I do brew beer but the type I make is not supposed to contain any bacteria, but only one species of yeast, which provides lots of B vitamins, but I don't believe it's particularly good for the gut.
Ron

I made my own kefir for a long time, but quit when I wanted to cut back on sugar. The only way I drink the stuff was to put something in that was loaded with sugar. I haven't tried again since, but there are some decent sugar alternatives today.

I'm thinking of getting the unflavored/unsweetened Lifeway to see if I can stomach it on its own.

The unflavored is not bad. I started with it in fact. It is very smooth--and a bit tingly.... due to the active fermentation. It continues in your frig... In fact when I called them once the gal on the other end chuckled thinking I was calling to complain.
She said people "forget" it in the frig and when it goes past the sale date, it ferments and expands the bottle and may burst!
Ours never lasts that long. Usually they have 2+ months on the date when we get ours.

Gluten free and lactose free. I think it feels nice going down too.
That is something yogurt doesn't do for me.
I started at 4 oz a serving. I still don't drink large amounts at a time as it is acidic. Right now Kroger's added cherry to its offerings and I like that one even better than the peach. Shake it really well before each serving. It is not expensive IMO.

I got the unflavored kind and had a tough time getting it down. I've come up with a solution though....a little cocoa powder and Zsweet sweetener. I've also treated myself to some of my favorite komboucha tea which is outrageously expensive, but very tasty.

I assume you're taking the candida thing slowly to avoid the "Herx reaction" I've been reading about? I'd never heard of it before.

Yes, once a day still...after a meal.

I was doing Olive Leaf, for a while, but each time I got past
2-3 days, I'd have a terrible HERX type reaction, followed by a nice improvement which only lasted a few days, then I was back to square one. I tried that 4 or 5 times, but finally gave up.
The olive leaf did clear up some sinus issues I was having then.

There is a little Olive leaf in the Candida Support, but it doesn't bother me at all--must be a small amount. I am still on only one a day... I am not in a hurry to increase. I'd like my GI to settle more, so then I will try 2 a day. I am really used to the Kefir now, so nothing about it bothers me. Unless I have too large a serving that is. I also sip alot of water all day long too.

Still doing gluten free too.

I think you'll find you get used to the Kefir quickly, like I did.

Ok, thanks.

I received my Now Candida Support today and am going to start. Will read up on Herx symptoms better.

The more I read about my FUT2 status and the effect it has on gut health, and the more I think about when all my problems started, the more I think I might be heading in the right direction. Really hoping so.

Hi, how you gout a diagnosed about NLD - idiopathic SFN? just for discard of other syntoms? How old are you and since when you have pain? I started with pain in my feet at 18. Now Im 25 and the syntoms became worse since a year! and now covers many parts of the body. I did alot of EMG that came fine, blood test, a QTT (that i dont know if is dependable, but wasnst ok)

I had some type of candida test years ago and it came up negative. Regardless I do think I have some digestive issues.

I just was reminded that if I drink coffee in the morning on an empty stomach my internal thermometer heats up like it does before symptoms are triggered. I usually drink Kefir (I like Lifeway plain unsweetened one but I'm weird) first thing in the morning and I forgot today.

I try to keep my system pretty alkaline. Doesn't mean I don't eat bad stuff sometimes but I try to eat it after some cantaloupe or avocado, etc. I also put lemon juice in my water. When i mess up especially more than once in a row there is hell to pay!

I use to make my own yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha and beet kvass (fermented beet drink thought to be a good liver tonic) for years. It's so nice to be able to control what goes into the food I eat. Might have to start doing it again. Thanks for the reminder!

I've made a lot of raw yogurt and kraut myself. As far as I know these foods are best for the gut.