It is also used in alternative medicine to prevent diarrhea and aid digestion.
Brewer’s yeast is formed as a byproduct of beer-making.
One of those mineralschromiummay help with controlling blood sugar.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
However, there is little research to back up the purported health benefits of taking brewer’s yeast.
Even so, alternative health experts claim the nutrients in it are beneficial.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Brewer’s yeast may help treat symptoms ofirritable bowel syndrome(IBS).
IBS is a digestive disorder that often causes abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
It’s important to note that this research review included only two trials and 579 participants in total.
While promising, this research should be considered preliminary.
It isn’t clear how brewer’s yeast may fight these infections.
Some proponents claim it boosts the immune response in a way that helps your body “treat itself.
“Early, weak evidence suggests there may be something to this.
GTC has been shown to improve theinsulin response.
Insulin is a hormone that helps convert sugar to energy.
GTC may help increase the activity of insulin in your blood.
That might help treatinsulin resistance, a condition that can lead totype 2 diabetes.
However, it may cause side effects and negative drug interactions.
It’s also not safe for people with certain conditions.
Side Effects
Even “natural” treatments can cause side effects.
Very little is known about the safety of brewer’s yeast during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Ask your healthcare provider before using it.
Diabetes
Monitor your blood sugars carefully if you’re ondiabetes medicationsand start taking brewer’s yeast.
It may cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Drug Interactions
Brewer’s yeast may interact with certain medications.
Always let your healthcare provider and pharmacist know everything you’re taking, including natural and nutritional treatments.
Check with your healthcare provider before combining brewer’s yeast with any of the following medications.
Brewer’s yeast has large amounts of tyramine.
Taking brewers yeast with an MAOI could lead to a tyramine spike.
That can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure known as ahypertensive crisis.
Demerol (Meperidine)
The narcotic Demerol (meperidine) is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
It can also cause a hypertensive crisis when combined with brewer’s yeast.
They can advise you as to the safest course of action.
Dosage and Preparation
No guidelines have been established for using brewer’s yeast safely or effectively.
Brewer’s yeast is available in tablet and powder forms.
Tablets often come in doses of 250 to 1,000 milligrams.
Brewer’s yeast powder is usually mixed with water or other beverages.
Most manufacturers recommend 1 to 2 tablespoons daily.
Brewer’s yeast has a bitter flavor that some people don’t like.
It may help to mix it into a smoothie or juice.
Never use more than the recommended dose on the product label.
What to Look For
you could find brewer’s yeast online and at many health food stores.
Not all brewer’s yeast products are the same.
This is especially true of powdered brewer’s yeast, which varies from brand to brand.
Powders may be cheaper than tablets, but the nutrient content may be higher in the tablet.
Check the label to be sure.
give a shot to choose 100% brewer’s yeast without any fillers, additives, or sweeteners.
Many products don’t.
The yeast cells are removed, pasteurized, and deactivated.
Nutritional yeast is alsoSaccharomyces cerevisiaebut does not come from brewing.
Rather, it is grown on corn, rice, or other types of grain.
Beer Yeast and Baker’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is available in drugstores and health food stores.
Beer yeast is usually only found in businesses that sell beer-brewing supplies.
Even so, beer yeast is often labeled as “brewing yeast.”
It may cause digestion problems as the yeast cells start to grow and produce gas.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking brewer’s yeast to be sure the possible benefits outweigh the risks.
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