Skip to main content

Brewer’s Yeast

Uses

Brewer’s yeast is the dried, pulverized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of fungus, and is a rich source of B-complex vitamins, protein (providing all essential amino acids), and minerals, including a biologically active form of chromium known as glucose tolerance factor (GTF). Brewer’s yeast is usually a by-product of the brewing industry and should not be confused with nutritional yeast or torula yeast, which are low in chromium.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for Why
3 Stars
Type 2 Diabetes
9 grams (about 2 teaspoons) daily
Chromium-rich brewer’s yeast has been shown to be useful in treating type 2 diabetes in several ways, including by improving blood glucose control.
The first report on the blood glucose-lowering effects of brewer’s yeast emerged in 1958. Brewer’s yeast is a source of dietary chromium and low chromium levels have been associated with higher blood glucose, insulin, and inflammatory marker levels, as well as higher blood pressure and greater insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. Preliminary and placebo-controlled research has indicated brewer’s yeast, in doses from 1.8–9 grams (providing up to 42 micrograms of chromium) per day may reduce blood glucose, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol levels, and increase HDL-cholesterol levels. One study compared brewer’s yeast providing 23.3 mcg of chromium per day to 200 mcg of chromium chloride per day in people with type 2 diabetes and found more favorable effects from the yeast, suggesting chromium in yeast may be more bioavailable. Taking chromium-enriched yeast supplements has also been found to improve glucose metabolism in subjects with type 2 diabetes. In a twelve-week trial, eating whole wheat bread made with chromium-enriched yeast was noted to improve glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure compared to regular whole wheat bread in people with type 2 diabetes.
2 Stars
Infectious Diarrhea
Three capsulesor tablets three times per day
Supplementing with brewer’s yeast has been shown to improve immune function and change the flora living in the intestine, and may relieve infectious diarrhea.
Brewer’s yeast supplementation has been shown to alter immune function and the flora living in the intestine, and may relieve infectious diarrhea. Three capsules or tablets of brewer’s yeast three times per day for two weeks was reported to improve three cases of infectious diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile. Animal research has confirmed that brewer’s yeast helps fight this unfriendly bacterium. (Note that real brewer’s yeast is not identical to nutritional, or torula, yeast and that when asking for “brewer’s yeast” in health food stores, people are often directed toward these other products. Real brewer’s yeast is bitter, whereas other health food store yeasts have a more pleasant taste.)

Next Section:

How It Works
 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.