Nutritional Supplement

Brewer’s Yeast

Where to Find It

Brewer’s yeast, which has a very bitter taste, is recovered after being used in the beer-brewing process. Brewer’s yeast can also be grown specifically for harvest as a nutritional supplement. “De-bittered” yeast is also available, though most yeast sold in health food stores that does not taste bitter is not real brewer’s yeast.

How to Use It

Brewer’s yeast is often taken as a powder, or as tablets or capsules. High-quality brewer’s yeast powder or flakes contain as much as 60 mcg of chromium per tablespoon (15 grams). When doctors recommend brewer’s yeast, they will often suggest 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 grams) of this high-potency bulk product per day. Remember, if it is not bitter, it is not likely to be real brewer’s yeast and therefore will not contain biologically active chromium. In addition, “primary grown” yeast (i.e., that grown specifically for harvest, as opposed to that recovered in the brewing process) may not contain GTF.

References

1. Hosseinzadeh P, Javanbakht M, Mostafavi S, et al. Brewer's Yeast Improves Glycemic Indices in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Prev Med 2013;4:1131–8.

2. Ngala R, Awe M, Nsiah P. The effects of plasma chromium on lipid profile, glucose metabolism and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus. A case - control study. PLoS One 2018;13:e0197977.

3. Khosravi-Boroujeni H, Rostami A, Ravanshad S, Esmaillzadeh A. Favorable effects on metabolic risk factors with daily brewer's yeast in type 2 diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia: a semi-experimental study. J Diabetes 2012;4:153–8.

4. Sharma S, Agrawal RP, Choudhary M, et al. Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose, HbA1C and lipid variables in individuals with newly onset type-2 diabetes. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2011;25:149–53.

5. Bahijiri S, Mira S, Mufti A, Ajabnoor M. The effects of inorganic chromium and brewer's yeast supplementation on glucose tolerance, serum lipids and drug dosage in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Saudi Med J 2000;21:831–7.

6. Racek J, Sindberg C, Moesgaard S, et al. Effect of chromium-enriched yeast on fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin and serum lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin. Biol Trace Elem Res 2013;155:1–4.

7. Yanni A, Stamataki N, Konstantopoulos P, et al. Controlling type-2 diabetes by inclusion of Cr-enriched yeast bread in the daily dietary pattern: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Nutr 2018;57:259–67.

8. Schellenberg D, Bonington A, Champion CM, et al. Treatment of Clostridium difficile diarrhoea with brewer's yeast. Lancet 1994;343:171-2.

9. Izadnia F, Wong CT, Kocoshis SA. Brewer's yeast and Saccharomyces boulardii both attenuate Clostridium difficile-induced colonic secretion in the rat. Dig Dis Sci 1998;43:2055-60.

10. Bassetti S, Frei R, Zimmerli W. Fungemia with Saccharomyces cerevisiae after treatment with Saccharomyces boulardii. Am J Med 1998;105:71-2.

Copyright © 2024 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.

Log In

You need to log into the site to use this feature

Create A Free Account To Use Medicine Chest

This feature requires registration. Sign up or log in to your free WellRx account to gain access to this and other tools to help make managing your medications and wellness easier.

Benefits Include:

Store & manage your medication list
Medication pricing updates
Import medication from your pharmacy
Medication information
Pill & refill reminders
Medication journal & mood log

Sign up to use Medicine Chest

Create A Free Account To Use this feature

This feature requires registration. Sign up or log in to your free WellRx account to gain access to this and other tools to help make managing your medications and wellness easier.

Benefits Include:

Store & manage your medication list
Medication pricing updates
Import medication from your pharmacy
Medication information
Pill & refill reminders
Medication journal & mood log

Sign up to use this feature

You will be redirected to your program in 5 seconds.

Hi there.

Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy have recently been updated.

Learn More


I Accept

By declining you will be logged out of your account

;