Why are fermented foods good? You will see in the moment.

 

‘Fermentation’ in the oil and gas industry

In the past I worked for a few years in environmental consulting. Specifically, in the oil and gas industry.

Basically, after a well is drilled and the oil is taken out, the site needs to be restored to the pre-drilling conditions as much as possible. It’s called reclamation and remediation. The same needs to be done if it’s an oil refinery or storage facility.

Drilling compounds, oil refinery processes, etc. generate heavy metal waste. This waste is harmful for plants, animals and people.

Now, here is why I’m talking about this.

One of the methods used to neutralize heavy metal waste is addition of certain bacteria! In fact, the removal efficiency of some metals can be up to 90% .

 

Food is no different

You can add certain friendly bacteria to reduce heavy metal load in your food. Aka ferment your food!

Moreover, once in your stomach, this bacteria can reduce the level of already existing heavy metals in your stomach.

It’s no secret that nowadays even organic foods are contaminated with heavy metals. Water and air are contaminated too to a varying degree.

In the human body, heavy metal overload can lead to various conditions, and if left unaddressed, even early death.

If you can employ fermentation to reduce heavy metal level in your food you begin to see why fermentation can save your life.

 

Proven by research to reduce lead, cadmium and arsenic

Here is an excerpt from one of the research studies confirming lactobacilli reducing the entrance of heavy metals into the blood.

Lactobocilli is widespread group of friendly bacteria in your body.

These findings collectively suggest that lactobacilli are strong candidates to be used as biosorbents to sequester cationic metals from aqueous solutions, including the gastrointestinal tract. Through a panel of studies it has been shown that lactobacilli can bind metals from solution. Using electron microscopy and X-ray detection it was determined that binding is occurring on the cell surface and inside where micro particles are formed.

In addition the studies have shown that binding of metals does not require an actively metabolizing cell as the metal binding ability was equal or better compared to nonviable cells. Finally,using a Caco-2 cell culture system, lactobacilli were found to have beneficial in vivo roles [within a living human] including preventing damage of the intestinal epithelium and blocking absorption of a significant percentage of ingested metals (1).

Now, the question becomes where do you get these lactobocilli bacteria to add into your food?

Read on.

 

How to make a fermentation starter to reduce the level of heavy metals in foods

Make a rye starter!

I describe how to make a rye stater at home here.

If you make a starter tonight, in a few days you will be ingesting relatively less heavy metals.

 

How to ferment foods

Once you starter is ready, add 3-4 tablespoons into whatever food your want to ferment.

You can use any carbohydrate food. Oats, teff, quinoa, etc.

I describe the exact procedure how to ferment here.

And here is a recipe to get you started: fermented buckwheat porridge.

How to make a vegetable fermentation starter

To ferment vegetables or fruits, follow this saltless method.

Keep in mind, that produce, depending whether it’s organic and where it was grown, usually contain even more heavy metals than crop foods like oats and rice.

 

If you need any clarification on making your own culture or  any other type of questions, write me at mivaniuk@shaw.ca

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Main references

1. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1916&context=etd

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus