Brewer’s yeast is a kind of yeast that is a by-product of brewing beer. Dietary supplements containing brewer’s yeast often contain non-living, dried yeast. People use brewer’s yeast to make medicine.
Contents
Uses
- Brewer’s yeast is used for diarrhea, the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, swine flu, loss of appetite, acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), recurring boils on the skin (furunculosis), and type 2 diabetes.
- It has also been used as a source of B vitamins, chromium, and protein.
Benefits
- Due to the chromium content of brewer’s yeast, there is interest in using it for lowering blood glucose in people with diabetes. Chromium may help the body use insulin more effectively and this can lower blood sugar levels.
- Additionally, brewer’s yeast seems to stimulate chemicals (intestinal enzymes) that could help relieve diarrhea.
- It also might help fight bacteria that cause infections in the intestine, as well as improve the body’s defenses against viral lung infections such as flu and the common cold.
- Brewer’s yeast is a source of B vitamins and protein.
Cautions
- Brewer’s yeast seems POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth short-term. It can cause headache, stomach discomfort, and gas (flatulence).
- Not enough is known about the safety of long-term use of brewer’s yeast. Stick with short-term use.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking brewer’s yeast by mouth if you are pregnant or 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 if you have Crohn’s disease.
- Diabetes: Taking brewer’s yeast that contains chromium can lower blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes and take medications to lower your blood sugar, adding brewer’s yeast might make your blood sugar drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar carefully.
Interactions
- Major Interaction Do not take this combination:
- Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with BREWER’S YEAST:Brewer’s yeast contains a chemical called tyramine. Large amounts of tyramine can cause high blood pressure. But the body naturally breaks down tyramine to get rid of it. This usually prevents the tyramine from causing high blood pressure. Some medications used for depression stop the body from breaking down tyramine. This can cause too much tyramine in the body and dangerously high blood pressure.
- Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.
- Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:
- Medications for fungal infections (Antifungals) interacts with BREWER’S YEAST: Brewer’s yeast is a fungus. Medications for fungal infections help reduce fungus in and on the body. Taking brewer’s yeast with medications for fungal infections can reduce the effectiveness of brewer’s yeast.
- Some medications for fungal infection include fluconazole (Diflucan), terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), and others.
Other Names
Baker’s Yeast, 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, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. cerevisiae.
References
Source: WebMD, “Brewers Yeast”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/