Known as nature’s wonder food, Brewer’s yeast contains all the essential amino acids, 14 minerals, and 17 vitamins. It is one of the best natural sources of the B-complex vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, and folic acid.
It is also high in minerals, including chromium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and selenium. Brewer’s yeast is a good source of protein and RNA, an immune-enhancing nucleic acid that may help in the prevention of degenerative diseases and slowing the aging process.
Brewer’s yeast is actually a one-celled plant that is a kind of fungus called accharomyces cerevisiae. The fungus is dried and ground and is used to ferment sugars to alcohol in the brewing of beer or as a nutritional suppplement.
The Benefits of Brewers Yeast
In addition to being an excellent nutritional supplement, brewer’s yeast is often recommended to regulate blood sugar levels, improve the health of the skin, control diarrhea, help heal wounds, lower cholesterol, and repel insects.
Brewsers Yeast in high is B-complex vitamins that are important for healthy skin and nails. The yeast acts to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.
Brewer’s yeast may also be helpful in the treatment of fatigue or low energy.
Sleep – It has been shown to help people having difficulty sleeping. This is due to the Niacin and Vitamin B6 present in the yeast, which work together to produce the brain chemical seratonin, which is essential for restful sleep.
Brewer’s yeast is available at most health food stores in tablets, flakes, and a powdered form. Brewer’s yeast does not require refrigeration and has a long shelf life.
The quality of brewer’s yeast varies depending upon the manufacturer. Some packaged brewer’s yeasts are processed to remove the alcohol and/or chemical byproducts that may be left behind in the brewing process. This processing phase lowers the nutritional quality of the yeast. High quality brewer’s yeast is grown on molasses or sugar beets and is grown specifically for supplemental purposes. As a result, there is no need for further processing. Brewer’s yeast powder is often bitter tasting. Some powders are “debittered.”
Brewer’s yeast contains higher levels of phosphorus than calcium. Too much phosphorus may deplete the body of calcium. To create a balance, some manufacturers add calcium to their brewer’s yeast.
When prescribing brewer’s yeast as a food supplement, doctors often recommend a daily dosage of 1-2 tbsp.
Those allergic to yeast or susceptible to yeast infections should contact their health care practitioner before taking brewer’s yeast.
Persons with gout, vaginal infections, or Candida albicans should avoid using brewer’s yeast.
Persons with diabetes should consult their health care practitioner before using brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast may interfere with insulin requirements.
The use of brewer’s yeast in persons with an impaired immune system may lead to an infection.
Persons with an intestinal disease should not take brewer’s yeast.
Brewer’s yeast is safe in pregnant or nursing women at doses of 1-2 tbsp per day.
Side Effects
Initial use may cause bloating and gas. To lessen these effects, it is best to begin with small amounts of brewer’s yeast (less than 1 tsp daily) and gradually work up to the recommended dosage.
If you have been feeling tired, dizzy, short of energy, try brewers yeast- it gives you and instant burst of energy!
The only bad thing about brewers yeast is the taste! We recommending talking tablets or taking powder mixed in juice- orange or tropical juice makes brewers yeast taste great. You will get used to the taste after a while and come to like it as your body sees how GREAT you feel after a spoonful of brewers yeast!