I have read about them in Nourishing Traditions and the Makers Diet. I eat homemade saurkraut rarely. I also drink raw goats milk kefir, which I am doing a little fast on right now. But from my experience and my friends they really do a lot to restore health.
Here is a link http://healingcrow.com/ferfun/conspiracy/conspiracy.html and also see http://healingcrow.com/ferfun/ferfun.html.

Good luck!