Health Benefits in Kefir

As you may have noticed, there have been a number of postings on making homemade kefirs and yogurts from various types of milk, here on Eat Thrive Heal.  We love them for the healing they perform in balancing the gut flora.  Homemade kefir provides a high-octane probiotic delivery to the gut with somewhere between 30 and 50 different strains of bacteria, whereas store bought yogurt and even many probiotic supplements deliver only a few varieties.
How to make homemade kefir.
How to make homemade yogurt.
More on why we prefer homemade.

This morning I just ran across the following information on kefir.  

A 175 ml (6 oz) serving of milk kefir contains (2, 3):

Protein: 6 grams.
Calcium: 20% of the RDA.
Phosphorus: 20% of the RDA.
Vitamin B12: 14% of the RDA.
Riboflavin (B2): 19% of the RDA.
Magnesium: 5% of the RDA.
A decent amount of vitamin D.
This is coming with about 100 calories, 7-8 grams of carbs and 3-6 grams of fat, depending on the type of milk that is used.

• Kefir is antibacterial.  Certain probiotics in kefir may protects us against infections. Lactobacillus kefiri, which is unique to kefir may inhibit the growth of various harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Helicobacter Pylori and E. coli. 
• Kefir contains vitamin K2, which aids in calcium metabolism.  Research shows that K2 can reduce the risk of fractures by as much as 81% .
• Kefir may help protect against cancer.  It prohibits tumor development and boosts the immune function.  In test tube studies it has been shown to reduce breast cells by 56%.  
• Kefir may improve symptoms of allergy and asthma.  

source:  Kris Gunner