Brewer's Yeast

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Other Names: Dried Yeast Fermentate, Faex, Faex Medicinalis, Levadura de Cerveza, Levure, Levure de Biere, Levure de Bière Inactive, Levure de Boulangerie, Levure Fermentée, Levure Médicinale, Levure Sèche Déshydratée, Medicinal Yeast, Biergist, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. cerevisiae, Marmite
Brewer's yeast is made of strains chosen for their alcohol-producing ability and tends to have a bitter flavor. Brewer's yeast is considered an inactive yeast while Baker’s Yeast is an active yeast. In an active yeast the yeast cells are still alive, whereas they are killed in the process of making inactive yeasts, like brewer's yeast. Dietary supplements containing brewer's yeast often contain non-living, dried yeast. People use brewer’s yeast to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Brewer's Yeast

  • Don't confuse brewer's yeast with Nutritional Yeast with. Nutritional yeast is derived from a single cell organism called Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Brewer's yeast seems safe for most people when used short-term. It can cause headache, stomach discomfort, and gas (flatulence).
  • Autism : Many children on the autism spectrum have trouble with yeast in general and many physicians have used antifungals to combat the overgrowth of yeast in autistic children. In fact, some physicians speculate that the yeast in bread is actually more of a concern – so they recommend a gluten-free, yeast free diet. Keep in mind, even though yeast may be helpful for some conditions, autism is not considered to be one of them.
  • Pyretic effect : Brewer's yeast is a potent inducer of fever, sickness behavior and inflammation within the brain.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of brewer’s yeast during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
  • Yeast allergy: People who are allergic or sensitive to yeast might experience itching and swelling.
  • Crohn’s disease: Brewer's yeast can make Crohn's disease worse. Don’t use brewer’s yeast.
  • People taking any of the medicines listed below should exercise caution when taking brewer’s yeast:
    • Antidepression medications
    • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) : Brewer's yeast has a substance called tyramine in it. Tyramine can interact with MAOIs and cause very high blood pressure which can be dangerous (hypertensive crisis). This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
    • Pain medication
    • Meperidine (Demerol) : Taking brewer’s yeast while taking Demerol may cause hypertensive crisis.
    • Medications for fungal infections (Antifungals) interacts with Brewer's Yeast.

The benefits of Brewer's Yeast are

used for :

  • diarrhea : brewer's yeast seems to stimulate chemicals (intestinal enzymes) that could help relieve diarrhea. Research has shown that brewer’s yeast can be effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea as well as relapsing colitis caused by Clostridium difficile. It is thought that the brewer’s yeast makes enzymes that counteract the effect of toxins produced – so if you are prone to this side effect, consider adding brewer’s yeast if you need to be on a round of antibiotics.
  • the common cold
  • upper respiratory tract infections
  • influenza
  • swine flu
  • loss of appetite
  • acne
  • premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • recurring boils on the skin (furunculosis)
  • type 2 diabetes : According to a study published in the May 2011 edition of the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, the chromium found in brewer's yeast can reduce glucose and cholesterol levels. Researchers found that diabetic patients who consumed chromium-rich brewer's yeast over a three-month period demonstrated drastically reduced levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and 'bad' LDL cholesterol. Debittered yeast (which is stripped of many nutrients, including chromium) did not contain the same benefits.
  • as a source of B vitamins, chromium, and protein.
  • Treating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) when taken with vitamins and minerals.
  • Good source of beneficial bacteria - Brewer's yeast is a probiotic, and eating it helps line the colon with beneficial bacterial cultures. This improves digestive health and gives it laxative qualities, making it a good cure for constipation. Moreover, brewer's yeast contains no fat and is rich in fiber (around six grams per ounce), making it an excellent weight loss food.
  • B-vitamin complex - Brewer's yeast contains unusually high amounts of B-vitamins. One 28 gram serving, for instance, contains 75 percent of our RDI of thiamine (which boosts the immune system and improves our ability to withstand stressful conditions), 84 percent of our RDI of riboflavin (which activates antioxidant enzymes and helps metabolize fats), 47 percent of our RDI of niacin (which helps the body produce sex and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands), 40 percent of our RDI of vitamin B6 (which synthesizes and breaks down amino acids), 15 percent of our RDI of folate (needed for DNA and RNA synthesis) and 5 percent of our RDI of vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid, which aid cellular metabolism.
  • Rich in trace minerals - Brewer's yeast contains essential trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. One cup of it also contains 1 milligram of copper, which is 50 percent of our RDI, and 63 micrograms of selenium, which is 90 percent of our RDI. Copper helps to regulate cholesterol, hormones and cellular energy levels, while selenium is an important antioxidant that provides anti-aging benefits and guards us from degenerative diseases like cystic fibrosis and cancer.
  • High in protein - Arguably, brewer's yeast's biggest attraction is its impressive concentration of protein. One ounce (28 grams) of it contains approximately 14.9 grams of protein, which is a whopping 30 percent of an adult's recommended daily intake (RDI). This makes the yeast a superb protein source for vegetarians and vegans. Protein is needed for a large number of reasons, including the growth and repair of cells and muscles, transportation of compounds and protection from infections.

Main Combinations

References