Sauerkraut is not just for hot dogs, Reuben sandwiches, or German dishes. As a fermented vegetable, when raw it's a powerful health food packed with probiotics that can be eaten daily.

(Other fermented vegetables inclue carrots, beets, garlic and more. Yougurt and kefir also have natural probiotics)

Probiotics are the "good" or beneficial baterical your gut needs for health and balance.

They help keep the "bad" or harmful bacteria in check. You already have "good" bacteria in your intestines but they can be harmed by antibiotics, other medications and stress.

Here are a few health issues that probiotics may be helpful in improving:

diarrhea
irritable bowel syndrome
infections in the digestive tract
urinary tract infections
yeast infections
immune support
ADD/ADHD
Autism

Probiotics are also found in supplement form. When bottled or packaged probiotic strains may become inactive and not absorbable by the body.

It's important to find a brand that can produce a good quality probiotic so you're not waisting your money.

The probiotic by Usana is my personal favorite that I actually use myself. When packaged there is more control over the specific probiotic strains used as there are hundreds of types. When fermenting you get probiotics in their natural state but you aren't exactly sure what strain you're getting and whether it's the strain that's helpful to you. Honestly, I use both raw natural probiotics and packaged.

After years of repeat rounds of antibiotics I needed something to replinish the "good" bacteria in my system and probiotic have been so helpful.

If you need any tips on fermented vegetables please feel free to comment below or contact me at drlisa@drlisaupshaw.com. Blog coming soon on how to make fermented veggies.

I hope this has been helpful for you.

Blessings!