Actually, it's not the yogurt but the probiotics that you ingest and repopulate your good gut bacteria which in-turn helps your body to absorb more nutrients for healthier living.

I'm careful with storebought yogurt or even yogurt mix like Biohealth. They still tend to have too much sugar in them that the sugar makes fungi grow faster than probiotics so whatever benefit that you could get from storebought yogurt is already negated by the sugar content in them.

Easier to swallow probiotic tablets and get better effects. Mind you, I do make my own yogurt although the culture is from an organic source from an Australian yogurt brand (Mundella). Less sweet and less sour at the same time.

Or just go back to eating traditional fermented foods like tempeh, kasam, etc. It worked for our ancestors for thousands of years. Should still work today.

Actually, your body will be immune after 3 months, be it supplements or fermented foods.

Then you find that you'd have to follow the rule that you mention : a wide variety of probiotic strains and different manufacturers.

It was between me and my coach. She didn't tell me where she got it from but we were troubleshooting why I fell sick often after 3 months of using the same brand. So we narrowed it down to the supplements manufacturing (i.e. different factories means different quality or same factory like some Kordel and Natural Factors supplements) and the probiotic strain.

We started experimenting back in 2010 and I've been doing it ever since. It's spot-on so far and when I follow the rotation of probiotics and supplements, I don't fall sick at all. A bit of sniffle but that's it.

The real test of probiotics was when I took an 18 strain version. One tablet and within 2 hours, all my mouth ulcers went away. Literally. And my dandruff subsided.

Plus the fact that I like to keep my diet pretty clean so that I don't get constipated. THe moment my sugar content goes up, I can feel something different i.e. stool is harder or smellier. This is the main reason I make my own yogurt in the long run. I do still take probiotic supplements but it's a pain trying to find different types especially the 18 strain versions.

This post has been edited by myremi: Apr 2 2013, 07:32 AM

There is a reference book that I refer to although I borrowed my coach's one. It's not available in Malaysia so would have to order online. The topic is "The Fungal Link."

http://knowthecause.com/
http://www.knowthecause.com/index.php/know-the-cause-page


The main reason I take probiotics is to manage my fungal infection. I have that and I can really really feel it when it's a bad time i.e. too much fungal growth. But it's not only probiotics that I take. The food I choose to eat are also selective such that :
-it doesn't flare up my fungi infection in my gut which will in turn flare up everything else (dandruff, ulcers)
-it helps to promote probiotic population in my gut

I used to have IBS syndrome but not anymore. It only comes back when i take antibiotics.

Probiotics : Yeah, agree with you about the money bit. Probiotics are on the higher end of the scale when it comes to supplements, almost the same as CoQ10 and Grapeseed tablets. I'm currently taking Advance Probiotic Multiblend by Bio-Life. PRICEY. Cheapest pharmacy I've seen so far is AA Pharmacy in KL. They usually give a discount from the retail price about 10% but not sure if they can give more if you're a regular. I'm in Kuching so I make do with whatever is available at the pharmacies locally although I get about 20-40% discount with the pharmacy that I go to.


The problem with ordering supplements from overseas is that there is always that danger that it will get stopped at customs. So I haven't ordered any so far that is not within Malaysia. Next one I'm planning to try in another 2 months is Oohira's Probiotic. Seems good and the doctor that discovered it found it in Sabah years ago.

Sleeping Late : Sleep at 10 pm and wake up at 6 am. I'm following the circadian cycle. Plus, black out room. As dark as I can get it. Even a bit of street light from the window will keep me awake. No light, no cortisol formation until 6 am which is about the time the sun starts rising and the sky is getting brighter. A change to even dark blue sky will wake me up. I boarded up the bedroom windows that cannot be covered by curtains.

Stress Level : I journal daily. I have a gratitude journal following a certain structure on what am I grateful for, including the people that have helped me and etc. I also follow Byron Katie's The Work because she has an interesting way of looking at the world i.e. my views and experiences shaped my opinions and that it's ok not to believe my thoughts all the time to avoid depression. http://www.thework.com . Changed my life.

Sunlight : True but better still is earthing. http://www.earthing.com . I don't buy their products but their book is a good read. I have a homemade earthing plate that is underneath my work table and it's connected to the earth of the power socket.

Weekly, I goto the beach to get my hourly dosage of minerals from the seawater and sunlight. The minerals helped to counteract the pain from DOMS. I get DOMS so my body gets stiff from the hours at the gym but not the pains or aches. So I get stiff muscles and joints but no pain. A red fire ant can bite me and all I feel is a mosquitoe bite, if any at all. Haven't been bitten by bees or wasps yet so I dunno if the feeling will be less so I can only assume it.

At the beach, I also workout slowly by stacking stones. http://badcameragreatpicture.blogspot.com/...g-at-damai.html I haven't posted up all the rock stacks I've done. Each stone is roughly 5-10 kg even though it's small, it's very very dense. I currently have a spot where the stones are still there every week and it's always 5 stones standing. The other 6-8 stones get pushed by the waves but it's still standing. Also there is this growth of beach vines that is slowly progressing towards that stack of stones. An energy source, maybe? I pour water over the stones and it gives a different vibe each time.

Sugar : Yes, agree on that part. I cut out of a lot of refined sugar but even fruit sugars will give me problems. So I also watch my fruit intakes, especially since tropical fruits has a lot of sugar inside them.

Wheat : This is given me problems so cutting this out too. Helps with moods and my skin too. Best part was when an auntie was shock that I wasn't the school girl that she thought I was. Inching closer to 40 soon. >.>

Processed Food : Also giving me problems. I've gone on such a clean diet that even drinking Milo makes my body more tense than drinking a cup of tea.

Exercise : Addicted to it at the moment. I do a lot of stretching and self-massage (via ball and foam roller rolling my whole body). Feeling stronger than when I was in my teens. Currently in love with punching the speedball. Trying to punch it faster.

Feel healthy is addictive.

If you can berak very smooth, then ok already. Then see what happens after 3 months of regularly eating it. Good berak is 12 inches of stool daily (can be one time, can be multiple times), not too smelly that the smell lingers for hours and floating.

Mine in Green!

Probiotics : Yeah, agree with you about the money bit. Probiotics are on the higher end of the scale when it comes to supplements, almost the same as CoQ10 and Grapeseed tablets. I'm currently taking Advance Probiotic Multiblend by Bio-Life. PRICEY. Cheapest pharmacy I've seen so far is AA Pharmacy in KL. They usually give a discount from the retail price about 10% but not sure if they can give more if you're a regular. I'm in Kuching so I make do with whatever is available at the pharmacies locally although I get about 20-40% discount with the pharmacy that I go to.
The problem with ordering supplements from overseas is that there is always that danger that it will get stopped at customs. So I haven't ordered any so far that is not within Malaysia. Next one I'm planning to try in another 2 months is Oohira's Probiotic. Seems good and the doctor that discovered it found it in Sabah years ago.

I was just thinking about what you've said about the body being immune to the same vitamin supp after a few months. I guess it's somehow related to their quality, and also the age-old synthetic vitamins VS whole food vitamins debate. From the whole foods point of view, synthetic vitamins are not only useless, they're also detrimental in the long run. While synthetic vitamins do have their place, they should be rightfully used to treat clearly identified deficiencies, which then turns it into therapeutic use under the guidance of a qualified professional.

For overall health support, i.e. in the case of Multivitamins, I believe we would benefit much more from whole foods vitamins and green powders instead. Checkout these products: Ultra Preventive X by Douglas Labs, Vitaminal Green by Healthforce, Green Vibrance by Vibrant Health, and the multivitamin range from Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems.

I don't take any green powders because it's processed. Trying to stick to the rule that if the food wasn't around 10,000 years ago, don't eat it. I sacrifice this rule when it comes to nutritional supplements because food today is not rich with nutrients. Organic, free-range and traditional farm stuff are better but can be pricey. But double the cost for 40x nutrients content, it is a steal.

My reference was a Paul Check book called "How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy." There are references in there to various books and articles.


Sleeping Late : Sleep at 10 pm and wake up at 6 am. I'm following the circadian cycle. Plus, black out room. As dark as I can get it. Even a bit of street light from the window will keep me awake. No light, no cortisol formation until 6 am which is about the time the sun starts rising and the sky is getting brighter. A change to even dark blue sky will wake me up. I boarded up the bedroom windows that cannot be covered by curtains.

That's great. Yes, and no light is also important for melatonin production which is crucial to health as well, in addition to allowing you to sleep of course. Next thing you can try is EMF home protection. I'm not sure how effective they are or if they're some hocus pocus but it does make sense, and you should be able to get a much better quality sleep as well.

Bit tough with aircon being the highest EMF generator. I just earth myself regularly and that works well. Small dose is my earthing plate at work. At home, it's barefoot in the garden with sunlight so early morning or late evening with palms facing the sun. Feet gets tingly.

Stress Level : I journal daily. I have a gratitude journal following a certain structure on what am I grateful for, including the people that have helped me and etc. I also follow Byron Katie's The Work because she has an interesting way of looking at the world i.e. my views and experiences shaped my opinions and that it's ok not to believe my thoughts all the time to avoid depression. http://www.thework.com . Changed my life.

You can give meditation a try as well. It's supposedly an ancient technique that allows people to reach God and be enlightened, and is present in almost all religious practice. Science has now caught up to some of its benefits, firstly with stress reduction, then to happiness levels and hormones, and now neuroplasticity and brain reconditioning. It's a very potent and effective tool I would say.


I do some medication but not so routine. Often when I'm exercising, stretching or at the beach. Still working at my breathing and being still. Very hard to be still so that tells you how much garbage is in my mind to work through. Then again, anything good is never quick and easy.

Sunlight : True but better still is earthing. http://www.earthing.com . I don't buy their products but their book is a good read. I have a homemade earthing plate that is underneath my work table and it's connected to the earth of the power socket.

I got into regular sunlight due to the Vitamin D production and its link to immune health and a variety of other health disorders. A collective 1 hour over the week with full sun exposure (no clouds) on at least 1/3 of the body should alittle bit more than adequate.




Weekly, I goto the beach to get my hourly dosage of minerals from the seawater and sunlight. The minerals helped to counteract the pain from DOMS. I get DOMS so my body gets stiff from the hours at the gym but not the pains or aches. So I get stiff muscles and joints but no pain. A red fire ant can bite me and all I feel is a mosquitoe bite, if any at all. Haven't been bitten by bees or wasps yet so I dunno if the feeling will be less so I can only assume it.

Oh I didn't know about the minerals from the sea part and how they help with pain and irritation. Sure it's not the sea salt counteracting the irritation? Well I guess if it helps you by all means! The closest beach we have here in KL is Port Dickson and that's oil polluted waters.

Try going for a swim, around 5+ to 6+ in the morning while it's still dark. Swim slowly and steadily while fully immersed under water. Then dry yourself and go for a meditation session on the beach and come out of it with the sunrise. Maybe include a sprint on the beach plus some stretching after you're done. Combined together it's the greatest feeling ever!


Beach is still 20-30 min drive for me and that's at breakneck speed. Seasalt are the minerals i.e. ions to soak up into the body. It's helping with the various inflammation that I have. Swimming in the morning is tough because it's a long drive and there are sharks in those waters. Also, jellyfish season until May. The rock stacking is also a great activity. Both help me with the buildup of heatiness I get from exercising hard.

Since getting tot he beach is tough in KL, see if there is a nearby national park with clean running water. That's the next best thing : clean running water.


At the beach, I also workout slowly by stacking stones. http://badcameragreatpicture.blogspot.com/...g-at-damai.html I haven't posted up all the rock stacks I've done. Each stone is roughly 5-10 kg even though it's small, it's very very dense. I currently have a spot where the stones are still there every week and it's always 5 stones standing. The other 6-8 stones get pushed by the waves but it's still standing. Also there is this growth of beach vines that is slowly progressing towards that stack of stones. An energy source, maybe? I pour water over the stones and it gives a different vibe each time.

Sugar : Yes, agree on that part. I cut out of a lot of refined sugar but even fruit sugars will give me problems. So I also watch my fruit intakes, especially since tropical fruits has a lot of sugar inside them.

Based on the works of Dr. Lustig total fructose amounts should be limited to less than 50g per day. That means fruits should be limited to small amounts, and more focus given to vegetables and legumes.

I followed Dr. Mercola's rule : No fruits 2 hours post workout. But the 50g daily limit sounds about right although 50g is tiny. I don't take too much legumes but depends. Trying to balance out the uric acid. Not that I have gout but just for balance.

Wheat : This is given me problems so cutting this out too. Helps with moods and my skin too. Best part was when an auntie was shock that I wasn't the school girl that she thought I was. Inching closer to 40 soon. >.>

Yeah I've been reducing wheat too. Kinda difficult to remove it entirely as it's present in a lot of food. Always strikes me: Oh that Aglio Olio looks damn good, but no, I'm not gonna take it. lol.

I'm looking for a vegetable spiral cutter to try and get some pasta like veggie from carrots, cucumber,etc. To try out to be a raw food foodie. See if that satisfies the pasta cravings.

I don't have acne but I do have pimples. My face cleared up a lot when I take yogurt and probiotics. Effect only last for 3 months. Then I have to rotate or do something different. I can't rotate the yogurt because currently, I'm making the culture from one brand only. The probiotic, I rotate. When I rotate I may occasionally take 2 different brands at the same time.

I've never tried those probiotic cosmestics though. Never sure whether there are enough probiotics in there. Plus, I subscribe to the theory that the body is strong enough to make whatever I need to fight off bacteria or to have good skin/health provided I give it good raw materials.

Some people can't take casein though so they may not take milk or any dairy products.

There is a good website on probiotics on children. http://spectrummuminmalaysia.com/ She doesn't take yogurt but probiotic tablets for her and her kids with good results.

Well, I guess sometimes you gotta weigh the pros and cons. I believe the pros of this outweigh the cons much much more. Of course ideally organic whole foods would be the clear cut solution. But we can't really pay that much or eat that much either. That's when new tech comes in that's able to compress everything together at a reasonable price. And you can apply the usual screening criteria too, e.g. products that utilize very little processing, cold pressed methods, all-natural, USDA organic, USP cert, etc.

Myremi : True on pros and cons. I used to take a protein shake post workout but eventually stopped because of taste and it was starting to make my body tense (a sign that as my body rid itself of process food, once it goes back in, I have problems). As for organic food, I don't like the $$$ prices so I try to go for locally grown food with limited/no pesticide. I roughly know where to buy clean veggies as I spend a lot of time chatting up supermarket workers to find out the source of the veggies or meat (free-range chicken). As for new tech and all the labellings, I follow Marion Nestle's website. She blogs daily except weekends and is always updated on what's happening in US as well as the rest of the world.

I was referring to something like this: http://www.safespaceprotection.com/product...afespace_i.aspx
Not sure if it is effective though, gotta research more into the topic.

Myremi : The EMF protection will run out over time. That's what my coach mention and I know she does a lot more research than I do. She's my goto encyclopaedia for all things physical, mental, emotional. Best information about EMF was the Earthing book I mentioned earlier. Well, it's in the Earthing website. The book describes pretty well how Earthing works and the various research done on it.

Try small tranches instead of one long session. Long sessions typically elicit quite a fair bit of agitation in beginners. Small tranches like, when you just finished your shower, just stay still and meditate for 2 minutes. When you've just parked your car, when you've closed your office door, etc. Collectively throughout the day, say if you done it 10 times, you would have probably got "into the zone" for about a total of 10 minutes out of the 20 minutes work done, as compared to lots of internal chatter and trying to settle down during a straight 20 minute meditation session. By the way this is just one of the many tricks to help beginners, and different approaches work for different people

Myremi : Thanks!

Well that would be weekend retreats out of city centre to some waterfall or hotspring.

Myremi : That would work. Doesn't have to be full-body immersion either although that would help alot. If you're into meditation, would you also be into chakras? I only know a bit based on the Western version. When I go earthing, there are parts of me that will tingle for long time, not unpleasant but enough to know something is happening.

Oh the no fruits 2 hours post workout rule. Refined sugar too I guess. That did not come from Mercola, that was from another guy, but Mercola adapted it. Something to do with keeping the HGH levels high post-workout. Yeap I practice this too. Used to consume sugar post-workout (with a protein supp) as it's touted to help protein absorption post-workout. But decided that I'd prefer the HGH benefits, not for the growth or anabolism, but rather the general health effects. However if I'm not mistaken it's applicable to high intensity shorter duration workouts only.

Myremi : Hmm...will have to have another look at that Mercola post. He writes a lot with a lot of salesman jargon so shifting through all the data is a pain. At the moment, I'm doing a lot of HIIT workouts but in gym class format. A combination of bootcamp and metcon training, similar to the Insanity type of workouts. Usually 10 in a class with 5 of us with HRM, including the lead instructor.

There's probably some kind of organic, gluten free pasta in the market

Myremi : Or I just use meehoon or tanghoon. Good enough! Hahah!

I think we probably digress out of the yogurt topic for a bit now.

I'll dig out the pictures from my Facebook. It's there on how to do it step-by-step.

Earthing : http://www.earthinginstitute.net/ This is the technical site of the http://www.earthing.com website.

Other links : http://www.paulcheksblog.com/barefoot-medicine-for-free
There was another link on grounding but I can't seem to find it. It mentioned in there that even meditation will ground you as well as various exercises and foods.

Still too much sugar for me.

The quickest way is to see how easy it is to pass motion i.e. to shit.
However, note that the cleaner your diet, the faster your body reacts to anything out-of-balance i.e. processed food, too much sugar.

Another way to get a good dose of bacteria is to eat rotten meat, on the theory that the bacteria in rotten meat will eat up all the rotten/diseased tissue. Apparently the eskimos do this.