Teed up for birth

by TV doctor Michael Mosley. Kefir can help restore a healthy balance of microbiota to the human gut. There are literally trillions of bacteria in the gut. Some are “good”, some “bad”. The possible wideranging consequences of an unhealthy balance of microbiota are rapidly becoming clear. They include obesity, cancer, irritable bowel and depression. Multiple sclerosis is one of the latest diseases to be identified as having possible links to gut bacteria.

Processed foods, and additives used in these foods, such as emulsifiers are particularly detrimental to helpful bacteria.

So why are supermarkets – which sell so much processed food – apparently seeking to make an unseemly profit from sales of products such as kefir? If anything, they should be offering them as loss leaders.

Why, even a well-known Edinburgh health food chain appears to be capitalising on kefir. Polish delicatessens in the city are selling kefir at a fraction of the cost and if you have “a culture” you can make your own. The faux Time magazine Donald Trump cover may not be the only fake connected with the new Robert the Bruce golf course at Turnberry (your report, 29 June) .

I am from that area and at school was taught that Turnberry Castle was the least likely of the two possible places (Lochmaben being the other) in Scotland for Robert the Bruce’s birth. Indeed, because of the wrath of Alexander III concerning the marriage, and for other political reasons, it is likely that the birth took place in England . (DR) A MCCORMICK

Kirkland Road Terregles, Dumfries