Vitamin D and healthy gut bacteria

There have been a lot of studies on vitamin D and also healthy gut bacteria (found in probiotics, some yoghurts, sourdough bread) and their relationship with reducing disease risk (not just covid 19 but cancers too). I appreciate a lot of ppl are aware of this already but if you are not, it’s worth reading up on.

 

God bless sourdough!

 

And the sun

 

And the sun

 

Only that big fire ball in the sky though.

 

Not the most popular newspaper.

 

I used to suffer terribly with hayfever but I read about probiotics (particularly l casei) which can help your immune system. My hayfever was so bad that it sometimes got into my lungs making me wheezy in addition to the usual streaming eyes and nose etc. I started drinking Actimel daily over 10 years ago and now my hayfever seldom causes so much as a runny nose. I can't say for sure that it's down to the probiotics; it could have got better on its own but I've also noticed that I don't get the coughs and colds I used to get and in particular the sore throats which used to get every winter.

There was a great series on Radio 4 a couple of years ago "The Human Biome" - well worth a listen.

 

It might be pure coincidence but I was one who suffered every winter with colds & coughs all the time , but I read about the benefits of taking extra vitamin D for the immune system & promptly started to take 1 vitamin D & 1 zinc tablet every day & have been doing so for over 3 years , the result being that I have hardly had so much as a sniffle since . Now that I have said this I will probably be hit with a bout of flue, but seriously it certainly seems to help me .

 

Interesting that you’ve posted that, I’ve been meaning to post the same for a while now, I’ve been reading this morning that liquid form of multivitamins is also better as it absorbs quicker and you get more of it in your system too (if that makes sense)

 

I love sourdough and have it quite a lot from one of the local bakers (sadly the best one got forced out by the landlord wanting more rent just before the virus hit and now stands derelict). Slice it up, freeze it in portions then use as needed. I must admit, I used to eat a lot of standard bread (not sliced) without realising it and since lockdown, cut much of it out and only really have pitta, sourdough, or a seeded pave that sainsburys do with loads of seeds. The food we eat makes such a huge difference to us.

 

I've previously suffered with quite severe gout and read about the benefits of long term use of cod liver oil for joint problems (it also gives you 100% daily vitamin D requirement). Been taking it three years now and had no gout attacks, coughs or colds for over two years (without any other medication). It may be a coincidence but I'm going to stick with it. I've also been having a small amount of raw apple cider vinegar daily which seems to have greatly improved my stomach and digestion. This also gives you the healthy bacteria.

 

I went for a check-up 3 weeks ago (blood tests etc,) as I was getting tired very easily and it came back low in vitamin D the Doc gave me a prescription for vitamin D never looked back feel a different bloke.

 

I had a phase of drinking those little probiotic drinks in the mornings. Always seemed to give me an upset stomach.

Currently popping the daily multi vitamins. When I actually remember to take them for a few days running, I do actually feel a bit brighter I reckon. Maybe low on one or more vits / minerals without.

 

I swear by cod liver oil. I suffered really badly for years with knee pain every day but especially in wet and cold weather. I've been taking it everyday for about 3 years now and my knee problems have been non existent, it's been life changing.

 

Same here mate, love it. Have you had a crack at making your own starter and bread ?

 

I'm a firm believer in pretty much everything being quite individual based around our genetic makeup. My dad was brought up religiously taking cod liver oil, he has bad shoulders, knee replacements and arthritis. He defo won't be getting a call to be involved in their next marketing campaign haha.

 

We considered at the start but just couldn't get flour at all in the first 4-6 weeks of lockdown. The other half tends to go for a walk really early in the morning and the bakery officially opens at 6am but the doors open earlier, so she pops in there every couple of weeks for a full sourdough when there isn't a soul about.

I do make some pasta fresh and I make all pastry myself (including all butter puff pastry). I even went so far as to make the the chocolate yule log with cherries & kirsch which Jamie Oliver showed off on his chrimbo programme which meant making my own hazelnut spread in the process. I tend to do the stuff that takes ages and needs patience, while the missus does the rest, partly as my methods are more chaotic and mess making!

 

Not sure if you’re into pizza but I have quite into making them with sourdough bases and then using an ooni to cook them - good fun, chaotic and mess making !

 

Haha, thankfully for my missus' sake... I'm not a fan of pizza ;-)

 

Everyone used to get a cod liver oil capsule every day with their milk at primary school.( Old Mapplewell primary on Blacker lane, just by North Gawber pit was where I went. ) . I reckon that did me the world of good growing up.
"Thatcher the Milk" snatcher we used to say after she took the milk away from school kids. . Not much fun when the capsules split in your mouth tho'.