Brewer's Yeast

Overview:
Brewer's yeast is made from a single-celled fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae and used to make beer. It can also be grown for food supplements. Brewer's yeast is a rich source of minerals - especially chromium, an essential trace mineral that helps the body maintain normal blood sugar levels, selenium, protein and vitamin B complex. It has a bitter taste and should not be confused with baker's yeast, nutritional yeast or torula yeast. All these types of yeast are low in chromium. Brewer's yeast has been used for years as a dietary supplement.
General :
Brewer's yeast is often used as a source of B vitamins, chromium and selenium. B vitamins are brewer's yeast include B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 ​​(pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid) and H or B7 (biotin) . These vitamins help break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which provide energy to the body. They also support the nervous system, helps keep the muscles used in digestion, and keeps skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver healthy.
Brewer's yeast does not contain vitamin B12, an essential vitamin in meat and dairy products. Vegetarians sometimes take brewer's yeast mistakenly believing that it provides B12, which may be lacking in their diet.
Diabetes :
Some studies suggest that chromium supplements can help diabetics control blood sugar levels. People with diabetes do not produce enough insulin - the hormone needed to change sugar, starches and other food into energy - or can not use the insulin that their bodies are doing. Chromium can lower blood sugar as well as improved glucose tolerance and reduce the amount of insulin needed. As the yeast is rich in chromium, the researchers think that may help to lower high blood sugar.

Brewer's Yeast

High Cholesterol :
Some studies have shown that the yeast may help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raise HDL ("good") cholesterol. Scientists are not sure which is due to chromium yeast of beer, or other material, and not all studies have shown positive results.
Weight Loss :
Although some studies suggest that chromium may help reduce body fat, fat loss is small compared to what might be lost with exercise and a balanced diet. However, yeast also used as a protein supplement and energy booster, so it can help maintain a healthy weight.
Other ways to use :
At least one study found that the yeast can improve acne. Another is associated with reduced risk of a second cancer. And a large preliminary study has shown that taking a certain type of yeast product (Epicor) can help prevent colds and flu.
Available shapes:
Brewer's yeast is available in powder, flakes, tablets and liquid.
How to:
Pediatric
Brewer's yeast is not recommended for use in children because it has not been studied.
Adult
2.1 c. tablespoon a day can be added to food or dissolved in water or juice.
Precautions:
Because supplements may have side effects or drug interactions should be taken only under the supervision of your doctor.
Side effects of brewer's yeast is generally mild and may include gas.
People who have frequent yeast infections or who are allergic to yeast should avoid brewer's yeast.
People with diabetes should consult their doctor before taking brewer's yeast, which can interact with medications for diabetes and cause hypoglycemia. (See "Possible Interactions" sections.)
People with Crohn's disease should ask their physician before yeast.

If you are being treated with one of the following medications, you should not use brewer's yeast without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) - Brewer's yeast contains a large amount of tyramine, a substance that can interact with MAOIs and cause a hypertensive crisis. Hypertensive crisis is a very rapid increase, and dangerously high blood pressure, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. MAOIs used to treat depression, and are as follows:
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Selegiline (ENSAM, Eldepryl)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)

Meperidine (Demerol) - As with MAOI antidepressants, brewer's yeast may also lead to high blood pressure crisis, if you are taking Demerol, drugs used to relieve pain.
Drugs for diabetes - yeast can lower blood sugar. When combined with diabetes medication, taking brewer's yeast may increase the risk of having low blood sugar. If you are taking diabetes medications, ask your health care provider before yeast.
The last change: 04/03/2011
Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private reception specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review the Network offers free Health Statistics.
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