As a scientist I am forever experimenting on myself. This time I’m taking goats milk kefir and doTerra dietary supplements to see what impact they have on my IBS, eczema, insomnia and gut microbiome.
Image credit: Chuckling Goat
Could goats milk kefir and doTerra dietary supplements be the answer to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, insomnia and anxiety?
Well, this is the question I am posing for my latest experiment which I am conducting on myself.
For the last few decades I have been a human guinea pig.
I’ve tried probiotics, strict dietary changes, meditation, hypnotherapy, kinesiology and exercise. All with the aim of finding THE THING that helps me get on top of my ongoing IBS and related issues.
Now to set some background for those of you who are new here…
When I was a teenager I started to get problems relating to yeast overgrowth.
A few years later I started to experience IBS.
Anxiety popped along when I was studying for my degree and in latter years I’ve been suffering with insomnia and eczema (something I haven’t had since a kid).
Random redness and eczema on my arm and hand
From everything I’ve read, most if not all of these issues, stem from an imbalance of the gut microbiome.
As a child I lived in Mexico for 18 months and then when I was 17 I travelled to India. During my 20’s I travelled to other exotic (read less than sterile) places and I picked up various bouts of food poisoning.
I have always had the theory that my problems relate to gut microbes, but until recently there was no hard evidence to support this.
In fact it has only been in the last decade that research has focussed on the importance of our gut, now often referred to as the second brain.
Goats milk kefir experiment
A few years ago I tried cows milk kefir in the hopes of finally finding a ‘happy tummy’. I didn’t realise how strong it was and the consequence was a year of less than prime health! Since then I’ve discovered that I really don’t tolerate cows milk which may be why I reacted so badly to the kefir?
Anyway, over the last year or so my IBS hasn’t been too bad but I’ve found myself becoming more anxious, insomnia has reared its head and my eczema has returned. After a long conversation with the amazing CEO of The Chuckling Goat I realised that the latter symptoms indicate that my gut microbiome is really struggling.
I therefore decided to try their goats milk kefir, starting with just 1 tsp per day and slowing working up to a ‘full’ dose of 170ml.
Alongside the goats milk kefir I have started talking some dietary supplements from doTerra while I build up to the ‘full’ kefir dose.
Now I know…to be truly scientific I should have only taken one or the other but I’m desperate folks and I’m throwing everything at this! I figure if the results are good, I’ll remove one or the other and see what the impact is.
Kefir, supplements and gut health testing
On Tuesday 1 May I started taking 1 tsp Chucking Goat goats milk kefir. I’m also using the Chuckling Goat Super Sensitive Skin Balm and Sensitive Kefir Lotion on my eczema. To begin with the kefir lotion was too strong but since using the skin balm I can now use both without any problems and the skin is clearing up.
On Thursday 3 May I started taking a half dose (I figure I’m only small!) of doTerra’s Life Long Vitality Supplements (xEO Mega (an omega and essential oil blend), Microplex VmZ (a vitamin, mineral and enzyme blend) and Alpha CRS (a blend of herbal extracts to support cellular energy) plus 1 Terrazyme digestive enzyme supplement with each meal.
On Saturday 5 May I took a stool sample using a testing kit service from Carbiotix called LoveGut. This service measures the amount of fibre-loving bacteria in the gut. I shall be tracking whether the inclusion of goats milk kefir has any impact on the amount of fibre-loving bacteria in the gut.
It’s a simple testing kit with clear instructions and a pre-paid envelope. I’m looking forward to finding out what my base line results are.
I already eat a plant-rich, high fibre diet so it will be interesting to see any changes that happen in response to the kefir.
What benefits have I experienced?
As soon as I started taking the doTerra supplements I started sleeping better and my anxious feelings have subsided. My eczema flares have also been calmed by the Super Sensitive Skin Balm (although it has still be up and down).
I’m keeping everything crossed that this continues.
Follow my progress via vlogs that you’ll find on my YouTube channel and Facebook page.
I am working in collaboration with Carbiotix who are sending me testing kits for this blog post. I also received payment from Chuckling Goat. Neither of these have affected what I have written. I always write and share the truth. I am also a doTerra Wellness Advocate, meaning that along with using the essential oils and supplements myself I have chosen to sell them because I believe they have the power to improve peoples health.
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Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Good luck with finally getting your health back on track Vicki. You have been through so much and have tried so many things. Maybe this is the magic cure! x
Vicki Montague says
Thanks Kate. I’m feeling really good so fingers crossed!