Yogurt and kefir are fermented milk beverages that offer many outstanding health benefits; I cannot urge you strongly enough to include several servings of yogurt and/or kefir to your daily diet. Since building and preserving bone is important, I will start with these benefits first. Both yogurt and kefir are rich sources of calcium. However, yogurt, kefir and other fermented milk beverages contain an iron-building glycoprotein known as lactoferrin, a substance that can rejuvenate bones on a cellular level. A number of important studies have concluded that lactoferrin may have a physiological role in bone growth and healing, and a potentially therapeutic role as an anabolic factor in osteoporosis.
In other words, the lactoferrin found in foods such as yogurt will stimulate new bone growth while preventing further breakdown of existing bone tissue. The lactoferrin enhances both the growth and the activity of osteoblasts (the cells that build bone). In fact, lactoferrin reduces the rate of bone cell death by 50 to 70% and decreases the development of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone. Thus, it is exciting to report that among the myriad of health benefits conferred by fermented milk drinks, preventing and reversing osteoporosis may be added to the list.
One other note related to bone health – the Journal of Nutrition published a study by Israeli researchers that found that lactobacillus, one of the probiotic (pro-life) bacteria found in yogurt, offers “remarkable preventive and curative” effects on arthritis. Because probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects in infectious and inflammatory diseases, principally in bowel disorders, they hypothesized that these bacteria would reduce inflammation found in arthritis. Hopefully research will continue and validate these early findings.
One final note – always choose plain, unsweetened yogurt and kefir as the sugars and other additives detract from the health benefits – add your own fresh fruit!
As an active researcher, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
I use kefir and yoghurt for breakfast!!! Very love these products without sugar and sweeteners. It is really more tasty.
Dear Dr. Perricone.
I love yogurt and 3weeks ago I stoped having yogurt a week then I started feeling inflamation on my finger joints which I didn’t really know that I had an arthitis,but I didn’t know the reason why it suddenly comes and goes.I take yogurt every day without knowing its many good benefits of it. Yogurt is my bread.I eat yogurt when I’m hungry in between meals. I make my homemade yogurt.
I also love your lines of cosmetic products and scientific discoveries of Superfood and more.
Thank you my Super Doctor, I would check with your discoveries before I go to GP,when I feel ill.
Uyanga.