This and That

It’s time to book your summer getaway with the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM). Recently, the airport launched an incredible deal that allows you to experience the Washington, D.C., area with a steep discount. MGM launched its Buy One, Get One summer promotional offer for travelers taking off from MGM and flying into Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. Travelers will be reimbursed for a round-trip ticket, and MGM will take care of the parking fees. The promotion is valid on roundtrip travel from MGM to DCA through July 31, 2022. “It’s a great time to visit Washington, D.C. and see first-hand how easy it is to fly from Montgomery Regional Airport; choose the faster and easier way to fly!” said Wade A. Davis, MGM’s Executive Director. “The limited-time BOGO opportunity to explore Washington, D.C. is an excellent chance to fly local and save.” Currently, MGM offers a non-stop from MGM to DCA operated by American Airlines. To take advantage of the promotion, purchase your ticket by visiting American Airlines at www. aa.com. Once your purchase is completed, submit your proof of travel documentation to promotions@flymgm.com. MGM will also launch a bonus gift card offer for Delta Airlines passengers in the coming weeks.

From exploring the nation’s capital on a double-decker tour bus, from concerts and multi-course dinners to paddling on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, D.C. has so much to offer. Tell us on Facebook at @FLYMGM how you plan to discover your summer in D.C. *Ticket purchases or travel completed before June 10, 2022, are excluded from this promotion, and reimbursement will only be made to the person identified as the purchaser of the tickets. To qualify, customers must submit legibly scanned or photographed proof of purchase to promotions@flymgm.com. Visit https://flymgm.com/summer-deals/ for additional rules and information.

Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn, the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Armory Learning Arts Building, 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, July 6, “Growing Turmeric & Drying Garden Herbs”, Mary McCroan, Advanced Master Gardener, will present a program on “Growing Turmeric & Drying Garden Herbs”. She will cover what is turmeric, how is it grown, and how is it used. She’ll also give suggestions for drying your own garden herbs. August 3, “Ferns for All Seasons and Environments”, Maria Pacheco, Horticulturist and Master Gardener, will present a program on “Ferns for All Seasons and Environments”. Come join us to find out about the many varieties of ferns available, where to plant them in your garden, and how to care for them. BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.

Jackson Hospital & Clinic is privileged to partner with Hospice of Montgomery in fulfilling our collective missions in delivering care to the River Region. With a rich history of dedicated service and a focus on patient-centered-care, it is our belief that the partnership will assist each organization in positively impacting more lives throughout the River Region. Throughout the process of discussing the potential of the organizations coming together: it became immediately evident of organizational parallels. Similarities in organization structure, stand-alone community not-for profit organizations, as well as similarities in goals, mission & vision. Both organizations strive to fulfill their missions and improve the lives of those in the River Region; working together in collaboration helps positively touch more lives. The resources, expertise and experiences of both organizations bring perspective and insight to addressing challenges, capitalizing on opportunities, and growing services. “The partnership between Jackson Hospital and Hospice of Montgomery was created from our mutual goal to enhance the continuum of care for all,” said Joe Riley, CEO of Jackson Hospital & Clinic. “As two organizations with a long history of providing high-quality care for the River Region, we’re looking forward to meeting our patients’ needs together.” For more information, visit www.jackson.org/hospice.

Imagine that you’re experiencing pain in your shoulder. Now imagine the key to relieving you of that pain lies in your foot. Sound weird? It is…weirdly amazing as we find out from our guests on this episode–Anthony Allegro and Carla Wall. Anthony and Carla are experts at myofascial release (as well as other forms of massage therapy) and have helped our Joy Blondheim regain and maintain her mobility and flexibility. During the course of our conversation (which includes Joy to Life Foundation co-founders Joy and Dickie Blondheim), we learn what fascia is (and why it’s vitally important), how interconnected the parts of our bodies really are (for better or worse) and how much better (pictured above l – r: Joy Blondheim, Carla Wall, Anthony Allegro, and Dickie Blondheim) all our lives would be if we would just get up and move! to listen vist https://liveheregivehere.org/category/podcasts/ To find out more about Hands on Healing and the work that they do, visit their website at www.handsonhealingal.com.

The Monroe Market Pop-Up. When: Thursday, June 23 - July 31, T ime: 11:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Location: Kress on Dexter. Shop and explore curated goods by Black makers in Kress on Dexter during this six-week pop-up market on Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery.

BOOM! Business Partner: Health Wise Foods

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KC and The Sunshine Band has celebrated over 40 years of making booties shake. They gave a voice to a generation, helped define an entire culture and continue to make an impact today. With over four decades of success, the group, led by Harry Wayne “KC” Casey, has been in a state of constant renewal in their niche of cultural relevancy–thanks in part to their music being featured in numerous motion picture soundtracks, television shows and national advertising campaigns. KC and The Sunshine Band formed in 1973 with one single purpose: to create instant happiness through music - and the group has done just that, topping the charts with singles including “That’s the Way (I Like It),” “Get Down Tonight,” and “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,” tallying worldwide sales of over 100 million, and receiving numerous awards. In 2013, KC was honored with two distinct Lifetime Achievement Awards, made several television appearances and earned a new star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame in his home state of Florida, which accompanies his previously awarded national recognition of a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. www.mpaconline.org or ticketmaster

The Montgomery County Probate Court now offers special hours for seniors. Everyday between 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. those residents age 65 years or older or those with a demonstrated special need will receive priority service at each of our offices.

Join the Ag & Stewardship Club for our Home Produce Fermentation Workshop on July 15 from 3 - 5 PM, and prepare to ferment your way through the produce aisle. Food Safety & Quality Extension Agents Angela Treadaway and Dani Reams will lead the workshop and demonstrate proper preservation procedures for preparing fermented foods and Kombucha, a fermented tea. Participants will leave with sauerkraut and a kombucha starter! Spaces are limited, and there is a $20 fee to to register, which covers the needed materials. For more information, please contact Community Involvement Coordinator Katy Garren at katy@ pikeroad.us or 334.495.4123. Home Fermentation is the July installation of the 2022 Ag & Stewardship Seminar Series, presented in partnership by the Pike Road Ag & Stewardship Club and the Montgomery County branch of the The Alabama Cooperative Extension System. https://www.aces.edu/event/fermentation-workshop-pike-road/

Thursday, August 4, 2022 - 8:30 am - 1:30 pm at Montgomery Multiplex What is River Region Connects? River Region Connects is a One Day, One-Stop Shop for the community's homeless population to gain access to vital services. Most importantly, the event is outcome oriented; it is not just a day for people to wait in line but a day for people to make changes and have immediate access to essential services. Volunteers...working on the front lines! • You will be matched with a homeless client to guide them through the event. • Treat clients with dignity - Try to talk with them, not at them. • Respect client privacy - When handling paperwork, do not review it unless necessary. • Ask for help if you need it. • Don't promise services as some of the services have limited availability and eligibility requirements. Register today, www.handsonriverregion.org Interested but need further information? Call 334-261-6182.

Christine is a newcomer to Home Care Assistance of Montgomery and has “HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.” In the brief time that Christine has been with the company she has proven to be DEDICATED, DEPENDABLE, EMPATHETIC, AND ENCOURAGING. She is loved by both family members and clients, welcoming them all with open arms and a beautiful smile.

For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com

The heat of the summer is enhanced by the beautiful timely blooms of the Hydrangea, the Daylilies, and the various pollinator plants in the Southern Garden in Montgomery Botanical Gardens. The Blushing Bride Hydrangea, Glory Blue Hydrangea, Oak Leaf and Limelight Hydrangea provide a tapestry of various colors and shapes to view as you walk the pathway. You will see the pink, blue, lavender and white of the various specimens. The Daylily Garden is displaying numerous daylilies in a multitude of colors along with a variety of companion plants that are in bloom much to the delight of visiting pollinators. The Pollinator Gardens are also thriving and providing for pollinators. Of course, the entrance beds greet you as you start your walk in the gardens with their lush reds and purples. So plan an early morning or late afternoon walk through the gardens to avoid the heat and relish the beauty of the summer blossoms. Enjoy your next visit to Montgomery Botanical Gardens @ Oak Park.

The Alabama Seinor Olympics pickleball competetion will be held at the Opelika Sportsplex. Registration closes August 12. Athletes may compete with only one partner per event. Under NSGA rules, doubles and mixed doubles are classified as events. Therefore, athletes may not compete in more than one age division for doubles and mixed doubles. Competitors must provide their own paddles. Balls will be provided. The Alabama Senior Olympics will include skill divisions. When registering, please know your skill level and enter it into the corresponding text box. Doubles will be decided by the youngest players age and the highest players skill level. If you have any questions regarding your skill level, please contact Sam Bailey. Opelika SportsPlex, 1001 Sportsplex Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801, Sam Bailey, 334.705.5560. www.alseniorolympics.org

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BOOM! COVER PROFILE Diann & Jim Causey

This month’s cover profile is Diann and Jim Causey. Diann and Jim have been invloved with the Montgomery Curb Market for many years, in fact, Jim’s aunt and uncle, the Duncan’s, were original vendors at the market, and Jim grew up helping them on Saturday mornings. Diann has been an educator in the River Region and Jim’s claim to fame are his “Cakes Made from Scratch”. We wanted to help The Montgomery Curb Market celebrate their 95th Anniversary this month so we thought it would be fitting to feature a couple of vendor entrepreneurs from the market. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Diann and Jim as much as we have and by all means get down to the Montgomery Curb Market, open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 5:30 am – 2pm., it’s a Montgomery tradition!

BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e., where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc.?

Diann: I was born in Maxwell AFB Hospital, my mother’s family is from the South Montgomery County, but my dad, was born and raised in West Texas and New Mexico. He met my mom while stationed at Maxwell AFB. As a child, we lived in Greenville, South Carolina, and Hampton Roads, Virginia. When he retired, we moved to Venice Florida, where I graduated from Venice High School in 1967. I attended and graduated with a BA from Shorter College in Rome, Ga. I have since earned a MS in Counseling and Human Relations, and an Ed.S (abt) from Troy University here in Montgomery.

I moved back to Montgomery from Rome GA., intending to join the Navy but met and married by husband, Jim on May 19th, 1979. We were never blessed with any children, but we do have nieces and nephews, Jim has a brother, and I have two sisters. One who lives here, the other lives in North Carolina.

BOOM!: For many years you were involved with the education community, could you share some of your journey in this field?

Diann: In 1994, my nephew was struggling in school. His IQ tested on the genius level, and he was diagnosed with ADD, which was believed to be the cause of his struggles. My sister placed him in a local private school, but he still wasn’t succeeding. A group of parents approached the owner of the school, and she basically told them, “If you don’t like my school, go start your own.” So, four investors came together and opened Canterbury High School, which evolved into -Canterbury Education Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3. I was Executive Director of the foundation and principal of the school for 20 years. In that time, I experienced great joy and great heartache, but I live with the knowledge that I made a difference in the lives of many students. I believed that when a student walked through the doors of CHS they did so with a Tabula Rasa, who they were and what they did while at Canterbury was written on that blank slate. I led Canterbury to become the first William Glasser Quality High School. It took our students, and staff two years to accomplish this goal. As a result of this accomplishment, we were able to take two different groups of students to present at two international conventions one in Boston, Mass., and the other in Dearborn, MI. Canterbury was the first school in the local area to introduce a self-paced, computer-based classroom. Students could not earn a grade lower than a “B”. The idea being, most students do not know why they missed an answer, the “Glasser” theory says, teach the student what he/she did wrong and teach them how to do his/her best work. It was amazingly successful! BOOM!: Diann, you, and your husband are one of the many vendor entrepreneurs that set up at the Montgomery Curb Market each week, would you share with our readers how you became involved

with the Montgomery Curb Market? What’s the best part about being involved with the Curb Market? Diann: From 1981-1983, Jim and I leased a restaurant in downtown Montgomery, “The Blue Rose Inn”. We got out of the restaurant business and searched for what to do to earn a living, Jim’s aunt and uncle, the Duncan’s, were original vendors on the market, and Jim grew up helping them on Saturday mornings. So, we applied for tables and after several months in line we were given tables on the market, that was in May 1983, 39 years ago this year. My parents were also vendors at the Curb market, as well Curb Market baby playing drums on Diann and Jim's Watermelons as my grandmother who sold butter, buttermilk, and eggs on the original market at the corner of Washington and Perry, in the 1930’s. So, I guess the curb market was in our blood. BOOM!: Please describe the variety of goods you sell at the Curb Market? Do you have a specialty? What’s the most popular items in your booth? Diann: We sell Diann and Jim's dog, "Tate" homemade “from scratch” cakes, both pound and layer, cookies, candy, fresh cooked pork rinds, boiled peanuts, canned vegetables, salsa, and pickles. I am also a folk artist, doing gourds, gnomes, hair bows, corn shuck and pinecone wreaths as well as wreaths in other mediums. Camp Stew and pound cakes are the most popular items we sell, throughout the year. BOOM!: You and your husband Jim work together at the Curb Market, how would you best describe your working relationship? What are some of the benefits? Challenges?

Diann: Jim and I work well together. We are opposite side of a coin, Jim quiet, me chatty. Jim can be a bit bossy at times; after all he is the “super chef” having done this since he was in the army. The benefits, we are very close, closer than many married couples, he has always supported me in all that I do, everything I have accomplished, I owe it to his love and support.

BOOM!: The Montgomery Curb Market is celebrating it’s 95th Anniversary on July 23rd, can you share some details about the festivities planned for that special celebration? community to come and experience our 95th Anniversary!

BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you like to spend time with family and friends?

Diann: I love to get together with family and friends, nothing better! BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like?

Diann: I like the Montgomery area, the people are friendly and caring plus it has been fun to watch the region grow and change.

BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? How would you describe what it means to “age well”?

Diann: We’re in the final planning stages, of the celebration we have confirmation of the following: Live music, Cajun Chef (Casey Dodd) will be selling a special Cajun dish, popcorn, games for the kids, including a bouncy house, free anniversary cake, provided by Jim Causey, vendors will be giving away free food samples at their booths, Dipping Dots will be there, butter churning, a wood carving demonstration, the New Curb Market Cookbook will either be back from the publisher or available for pre-order, Raffle tickets for baskets of market goodies to be given away every hour, and several Montgomery leaders will be speaking. It will be a celebration of one of the longest standing traditions in the Montgomery area, providing fresh food and goodies for 95 years! We invite the BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Any travel dreams planned? Diann: My favorite vacation pre-Covid was an annual trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love the mountains, having grown up around the beach in Virginia and Florida. We are planning to go on a cruise to Alaska on our 50th wedding anniversary. We also hope to take the train into the interior, making it a very long and memorable vacation. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day of activity? Diann: I am an avid reader, when we married, my mother told Jim, “keep her

in books, and she will be happy.” It’s true, I love to read. Diann: To me, “aging well” means accepting Pepper and Barbara, friends from adult camp in Blue Ridge, Rural Retreat, VA that there are things you can no longer or should no longer do but at the same time embracing all the things you can still do. I never really think about my age, I walk a little slower, I have more aches and pains, and am sometime stiff from sitting too long, but I don’t dwell on grey hair or wrinkled skin. I earned everyone I have. I also have a strong faith in God, when one door in my life has closed another has always opened. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Diann: Smart, determined, and caring. BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?

Diann: As I said earlier, I am a newbie gourd artist. I won two ribbons at the South Alabama State fair for my gourd art, last year. I find it challenging and relaxing at the same time. I want to attend gourd conferences and take classes. It is such a diverse hobby; I want to learn how to do everything connected with gourding. BOOM!: Many people as they age discover a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, etc. How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? What are your thoughts on retirement? Diann: I must admit, after retiring from education, I found myself dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. I Free Subscriptionsmissed teaching and the challenges of www.RiverRegionBoom.combeing a teacher and principal, there was a huge empty hole in my life, I felt purposeless and drifted for many months. I think the pandemic affected many of people the same way. It was a malaise that overtook my life, then a friend asked if I wanted a part-time job, I said yes, and that job saved me. One of Diann's my best friends, Reeda McElweney, Now I have she and I were decorating the market for Santa Claus not only the Curb Market but a part-time job, no more malaise. So, my advice: stay active, get a part-time job, volunteer, mentor a child, do something to help yourself and others, don’t sit and “rust”. I have realized that my life purpose may be simply small acts of kindness. You never know when a simile, a helping hand, or a small gesture can change another person’s life; it doesn’t have to be something spectacular, little acts of thoughtfulness are important, more important than most of us realize. We want to thank Diann and Jim for sharing some of their unique story with us this month. Be sure and let them know you read their story in BOOM! newxt time you're shopping the great products at The Curb Market. If you have questions please email Diann at cakesfrmscratch@gmail.com. We also want to thank DiAnna Paulk for her creative eye in photographing Diann and Jim for this month's cover. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text them to Jim Watson at Jim and his cat, "Tiger" enjoying a moment 334.324.3472 or email them to jim@riverregionboom.com.

Recent research has shown that fermented foods can not only improve gut microbiome diversity, but lower the inflammatory response in your body that affects conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

While I was still in active practice, I was passionate about helping people with RA.

In fact, I treated more than 3,000 people with this disease, 80 percent to 85 percent of whom experienced significant recovery, if not remission. One of the hallmark symptoms of RA is pain in the proximal joints of the hands or feet.

These are the joints that are closer to the palm of your hand as opposed to joints further out in your fingers. RA is also often symmetrical, which means it affects the same joints in both hands or feet. The condition is far less common than osteoarthritis.

In joints that are affected by RA, the lining becomes inflamed from an autoimmune and inflammatory response that causes your body’s own immune system to attack itself. This can trigger chronic pain, loss of balance, and deformities.

Unlike osteoarthritis, which damages the cartilage between the bones in your joints, RA can also affect other tissues outside of the joints, such as the eyes, heart, and lungs. Many people with RA experience fatigue, low-grade fever, and symptoms that vary from day to day.

According to Health Canada, “Approximately 374,000 (1.2 percent) Canadians aged 16 years and older live with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.” In the United States, a search of health care claim databases from 2004 to 2014, researchers found the prevalence of RA in the U.S. population ranged from 0.41 to 0.54 percent. Numbers tend to vary substantially in each year and by gender and age. However, the data also revealed that the rate appeared to increase during that period, which affected a conservative estimate of up to 1.36 million adults by 2014. microbiome. They found the gut microbiome and immune system effects on the participants were different. The scientists measured stool and blood samples collected during a three-week period before the intervention diet started, during the intervention, and during a four-week period after the diet ended.

A later study in 2019 indicated there has been a global rise in prevalence and incidence of RA. At the regional level, it appeared to be highest in the high-income areas of North America, the Caribbean, and Western Europe.

The lowest rates were found in Western sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asia, and Oceania. The most recent 2021 study offers an insight into reducing the inflammatory response and, potentially, the damage caused by RA.

Researchers from Stanford Medicine published their data in the journal Cell, in which they evaluated 19 inflammatory protein biomarkers from 36 healthy adults who were randomly assigned to eating either fermented or high-fiber foods over a 10-week intervention period. Both diets have shown an ability to impact gut microbiome in past scientific studies.

In this clinical trial, researchers sought to evaluate how two microbiota-targeted diet interventions could modulate the gut The data revealed that eating foods such as kefir, fermented cottage cheese, vegetable brine drinks, kombucha tea, and kimchi in other fermented vegetables increase the overall microbial diversity in a dose-dependent manner. The primary outcome of the study was a cytokine response score, which remained unchanged.

However, the data also showed that a high-fermented food diet increased microbial community diversity and decreased inflammatory markers, particularly interleukin-6 that has been linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic stress, and Type 2 diabetes.

In contrast to the reduction of inflammatory markers in a group eating fermented foods, those eating a high-fiber diet that consisted of legumes, seeds, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables showed no change in inflammatory markers or microbial diversity. Erica Sonnenburg was on the research team and said in a press release:

“We expected high fiber to have a more universally beneficial effect and increase microbiota diversity. The data suggest that increased fiber intake alone over a short time period is insufficient to increase microbiota diversity.

“It is possible that a longer intervention would have allowed for the microbiota to adequately adapt to the increase in fiber consumption. Alternatively, the deliberate introduction of fiber-consuming microbes may be required to increase the microbiota’s capacity to break down the carbohydrates.”

The researchers concluded that fermented foods could be a valuable strategy to counteract a decreasing microbial diversity and increasing inflammatory response that is ubiquitous in Western society.

Additionally, another researcher postulated that other means of targeting the gut microbiome may include probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions that could affect bacterial health, and therefore your immune health.

Historically, the primary reason for fermenting foods was to preserve it. Over time, many cultures incorporated these foods into their daily diet and were shared with the world. For example, Japanese natto, Korean kimchi, and German sauerkraut are popular in many areas outside the respective places of origin.

The process is controlled by microorganisms and the type of food being fermented. There’s a growing consensus that the fermentation process has nutritional benefits by transforming the food and forming bioavailable end products, including an increase in density of vitamins.

When you consume fermented foods, live cultures give you the primary benefits. Unfortunately, fermented foods in the grocery store don’t usually contain live cultures. Instead, before packaging, they might be baked, pasteurized, filtered, or smoked. During the fermentation process, biologically active peptides are formed. In one paper published in Nutrients, the authors wrote: “Fermentation was found to increase antioxidant activity of milks, cereals, fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Antihypertensive peptides are detected in fermented milk and cereals. Changes in vitamin content are mainly observed in fermented milk and fruits.

“Fermented milk and fruit juice were found to have probiotic activity. Other effects such as anti-diabetic properties, FODMAP [fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols] reduction, and changes in fatty acid profile are peculiar of specific food categories.”

According to the authors of a paper published in Clinical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the bacteria in fermented foods produce peptides that have multiple health benefits. The authors say:

“Among these peptides, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which have shown the ability to lower blood pressure, exopolysaccharides exhibit prebiotic properties, bacteriocins show antimicrobial effects, sphingolipids have anti-carcinogenic and anti-microbial properties, and bioactive peptides exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, opioid antagonist, anti-allergenic, and blood pressure lowering effects …

“As a result, fermented foods provide many health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antiinflammatory, anti-diabetic and antiatherosclerotic activity.”

Scientific evidence has demonstrated that your gut microbiome plays a leading role in your mental health. Researchers have found there is bidirectional communication between your gut microbiome and your central nervous system. It’s called the gut-brain axis and mounting evidence has demonstrated that dysbiosis, an imbalance in your microbiome, is associated with triggering mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Some have coined the term “psychobiome” to describe the crucial connection between your gut bacteria and how you think, feel, and act. A small start-up lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is researching human stool samples with a focus on brain drugs.

As Science Magazine reports, the small company hopes to capitalize on the mounting scientific evidence from animal studies and epidemiological studies that your gut microbiome is linked to health conditions such as anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism.

As of 2020, the company had developed “one of the world’s largest collections of human gut microbes” over a short five years. When talking to reporters from Science, the company CEO said the initial targets were depression, insomnia, and visceral pain conditions that are typical of irritable bowel syndrome.

One of the benefits of the fermenting process is that it can improve the nutritional value of a particular food. For example, kimchi has antioxidant properties associated with lipid-lowering cardiovascular benefits, antimicrobial action, immune system activity, and antiatherogenic activity.

Fermented plants also provide high concentrations of vitamin K2. Vitamin K is important element for your heart health. In fact, results from the Rotterdam study published in 2004 looked at causes of diseases in the elderly, and determined that those who had consumed the highest amount of vitamin K2 were less likely to experience severe calcification in their arteries and die from heart disease. K2 is also important for bone health and osteoporosis prevention.

Dr. Joseph Mercola is the founder of Mercola.com. An osteopathic physician, best-selling author, and recipient of multiple awards in the field of natural health, his primary vision is to change the modern health paradigm by providing people with a valuable resource to help them take control of their health. This article was originally published on Mercola.com.

Source: www.epochtimes.com