Rhuematoid Factor

[Living Food]

For those of us with heavy metal issues, which suppress the immune system, we can be more sensitive than others to contaminant molds

Yeah, that's true. But I wouldn't say they're "often" present, because they shouldn't be if you ferment properly. If you just do it in a jar then mold often grows on the top of the brine, and small amounts usually remain even if you skim it off [although that would probably only be an issue to people who are more sensitive to mold, like yourself], but the crocks specifically made for fermentation usually prevent mold growth. Proper fermentation should prevent the growth of any pathogen.

But if this comes from your personal experience then I have no doubt that you're right.

[Arky]

Oh, I'm certainly referring to fermented foods/drinks that have been fermented properly, using either a traditional water-seal crock or a brewers airlock (which, in essence, is exactly the same thing as a traditional crock).

Yeasts and mold spores are present on fruits and vegetables from the outset, even before they are placed in a crock pot.

Thankfully, in contrast to the likes of cilantro, it's not something dangerous for one to not tolerate well, so it's very safe to treat fermented foods/beverages as a case of 'suck-it-and-see'.

By far the majority of people will tolerate, even benefit from, fermented foods very well. I am enthusiastic about them and often recommend them to people. I only mentioned a word of caution because it's not something one tends to ever see discussed anywhere, but something I had to find out for myself and I always like to be as detailed and even-handed in my posts as I can, so that people can be aware of as much as possible when trying something. I would consider myself to be somewhat dishonest if I didn't relate negatives I have experienced in various aspects of my health/diet path, alongside the positives. Every coin has 2 sides, but all too often, people promote only the positives and pretend the negatives do not exist or are irrelevant. In the longterm, that actually doesn't serve the best interests of anyone.