Lactobacillus reuteri or L. reuteri (pronounced el-roy-ter-eye)is a strain of bacteria that is classified as a beneficial probiotic. L. reuteri is an ancient microbe that has many unique properties. L-reuteri occurs naturally in our microbiome when we’re born non-c-section birth and breast fed. If we have taken any antibiotics or been exposed to pesticides, the chances are high that the L. reuteri that was naturally occurring in our microbiome, is no longer present.
There are L. reuteri tablets available, but the microbe counts are quite low. However, Dr. William Davis, a cardiologist, discovered that fermenting the tablets with some half and half or whole milk you can increase bacterial strains exponentially. Dr. Davis says that the L. reuteri microbe proliferation occurs around human body temperature. He laments calling the L. reuteri, yogurt because of the distinctive differences between traditional yogurt and the L-reuteri bacterial strain.
Traditional yogurt typically ferments for a few hours and has different strains of bacteria to be classified as a yogurt. I will describe the L. reuteri as a “cultured dairy” to make the distinction between a lackluster store bought yogurt and a powerful homemade mega probiotic dairy superfood.
He also discovered that the “cultured dairy” doubles in microbes every three hours of incubation time. He established the optimal time of incubation was 36 hours. It doubles probiotic counts 12 times total. Dr. Davis says beyond 36 hours the beneficial microbes begin to die off.
There are a few cooking vessels I’ve used personally that yield dependable and consistent results. I like to use a sous vide and an instant pot to make the cultured dairy. With a sous vide I fill up a pot with water and set the probe in the water with the “slurry” of mixture and set for 99 degrees Fahrenheit for 36 hours. As for the instant pot, I toggle the yogurt setting and choose the “less” setting and the temp is right around 100 degrees which is still in range of proper temperature. There are various ways to incubate the cultured dairy so check your desired method with a thermometer to ensure it doesn’t exceed 109 degrees Fahrenheit which is when the microbes start to die off.
In the next section I will post a YouTube link to Dr. Davis making the yogurt step-by-step. The “slurry” I mentioned is comprised of: the lactobacillus reuteri(either the tablets, powder or starter), 2 tablespoons of inulin powder(this feeds the microbes to help them proliferate), and either half and half or whole milk.
The great thing about making this cultured dairy product is once you make the first batch with the tablets or powder, you can use the starter from each batch to continue to make the L-reuteri continuously! In my opinion, Dr. Davis needs to be awarded a noble prize for his discovery of such an incredibly important method to introduce this highly beneficial microbe to our microbiome!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=la9yODLZizo&t=192s&pp=2AHAAZACAcoFFmRyIGRhdmlzIHlvZ3VydCByZWNpcGU%3D
Benefits of L. reuteri
One of the most interesting aspect of L. reuteri is the increase of the hormone called “oxytocin”. Oxytocin is sometimes known as the hormone of love and empathy. Many people associate oxytocin as a hormone that spikes during a pregnant mother’s child birth. This is also true, but it has some very interesting effects on both women and men as well. It has the potential improve body composition: helps build muscle and lose body fat. I’ve personally noticed my clothes fit better but the number on the scale has either stayed the same or has gone up! Muscle gain is a very common occurrence while consuming the L. reuteri several times a week.
Oxytocin also can alleviate depressive symptoms and decrease anxiety tremendously. My anxiety has essentially vanished since regularly consuming the cultured dairy the last few months. Another function of oxytocin is the anorexigenic (unfortunate term)impact it has on our appetite. In other words it lessens our appetite, but we are still able to enjoy our meals despite this. Oxytocin encourages the production of dermal collagen with helps with skin health and wrinkle reduction. Oxytocin also increases testosterone and in doing so, boosts sex drive in both men and women, as well as increasing vaginal moisture.
L. reuteri also has a profound effect on the treatment of SIBO(small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). L. reuteri also can benefit hair growth and balances gut flora.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nMdyFkOBZgc&pp=ygUSbCByZXV0ZXJpIGJlbmVmaXRz
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