This article is about the use of Beer Yeast as a supplement; for use in the kitchen click here
Generality
For brewer's yeast it is customary to understand a microscopic fungus, formed by colonies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, obtained by fermentation.
In particular, the yeast cells are grown on a malt substrate (sprouted barley) inside fermenters where they multiply thousands of times.
Brewer's yeast is a rich and complete source of B vitamins, often taken in low amounts in hyperlipidic, or hyperglucidic, or hyperproteic diets, or when the consumption of alcohol, cigarettes or coffee is high.
Group B is a very important group of vitamins also for sportsmen, growing children and convalescent people, because it facilitates the transformation of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids into energy.
The brewer's yeast contains all the B group vitamins, dosed in good proportions for their correct integration (the B complex vitamins act in synergy with each other, intervening on the metabolic regulation systems). However, vitamin B12 is an exception, lacking in vegan diets, being typical of the animal kingdom.
In brewer's yeast, to the B vitamins are added selenium, chromium (insulin co-factor and diabetes mellitus preventative), glutathione, sulfur, essential amino acids (leucine, valine, isoleucine, threonine, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan, lysine) phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
Indications
Why do you use brewer's yeast? What is it for?
The richness of micronutrients and trace elements is certainly the determining factor in the use of brewer's yeast as a supplement.
More precisely, the yeast is attributed to:
- Functions of maintenance of the integumentary system and skin appendages (hair, nails and hair);
- Precious dermatological functions in improving diseases such as seborrhea and acne;
- Probiotic functions, effective both in supporting the correct gastro-enteric functionality and in preserving the correct immune functioning;
- Re-mineralizing functions, important for athletes to rebalance saline losses due to copious sweating during exercise;
- Immunostimulant functions;
- Scarring functions, useful during wounds and burns;
- Revitalizing functions, due to the high content of B group vitamins;
- Neuroprotective functions;
- Metabolic functions, thanks to the presence of Beta-Glucans.
Property and Effectiveness
What benefits has brewer's yeast shown during the studies?
Despite the numerous biological functions attributed to brewer's yeast, and its rich nutritional characteristics, scientific literature appears to be somewhat debated on the real potential and clinical applications.
At the moment, the main preventive and clinical activities attributable to brewer's yeast, more than the richness of B vitamins, should be traced to the presence of some proteins rich in selenium and chromium.
According to several authors, these proteins would be responsible, at least in vitro and in experimental models, for an appreciable antitumor activity against particularly aggressive carcinomas, such as those of the lung, prostate and colorectal cancer.
Instead, all those "nutritional" activities of brewer's yeast related to the abundant quantity of B vitamins, essential amino acids, Beta-glucans and other active ingredients would be investigated with greater accuracy.
Doses and method of use
How to use brewer's yeast?
Brewer's yeast is marketed in the form of flakes, powder, tablets and capsules.
The dosage varies according to the needs, the type of preparation and the possible simultaneous presence of other active ingredients.
Generally, the daily limit of 400 mg should not be exceeded, taking care - in order to avoid unpleasant gastro-intestinal problems - to progressively reach the useful dosage.
Side effects
The use of brewer's yeast, together with other yeasts, could determine the onset of abdominal swelling, flatulence and meteorism.
There have been rare episodes of allergic reactions worthy of note.
Contraindications
When should brewer's yeast not be used?
The use of brewer's yeast is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to yeasts or pharmacological therapies with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Pharmacological Interactions
Which drugs or foods can change the effect of brewer's yeast?
The simultaneous intake of brewer's yeast and monoamine oxidase inhibitors could result in an undesirable hypertensive effect.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking brewer's yeast?
Given the lack of studies on safety and long-term efficacy in pregnant women, the use of brewer's yeast supplements should be avoided during pregnancy and during the subsequent breastfeeding period.
