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Brewer's Yeast Uses

Brewer's yeast has become a popular nutritional supplement in recent years, used for a variety of medicinal purposes--from the treatment and control of common health conditions and ailments in humans to the control of fleas in household pets. However, while the benefit of using brewer's yeast has been proved for some purposes, for many, the jury is still out, and there are some side effects that you should be aware of before adding brewer's yeast to your daily diet.

  1. As a Nutritional Supplement

    • Brewer's yeast often is used as a nutritional supplement. Low in calories, fat, sodium and carbohydrates, brewer's yeast is rich in a number of essential nutrients. Among these are potassium, chromium, selenium and protein, along with B-complex vitamins such as folic acid, thiamine and niacin. Brewer's yeast is also high in nucleic acid, an important component in healthy cell development. These nutrients often are more easily absorbed by the body from brewer's yeast than from the average commercially produced vitamin and mineral tablet.

    Diabetes

    • Among brewer's yeast uses for which there is conflicting evidence as to its effectiveness is diabetes treatment. Some studies, but not all, have suggested that chromium may aid in the control of blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals. Since brewer's yeast is such a rich source of chromium, it is thought by many to be effective in treating high blood sugar.

    Cholesterol

    • Some studies suggest that brewer's yeast may be effective in the control of cholesterol, although not all research on the subject has confirmed that link. In the studies that did show a benefit, research suggested that the regular use of brewer's yeast may help lower levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, while raising levels of HDL, or good cholesterol.

    Stress

    • B-complex vitamins are important nutrients to support the body during times of physical or emotional stress. For this reason, brewer's yeast sometimes is recommended by health care professionals as a supplement for those who suffer stress-related health issues, such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.

    Use in Pets and Livestock

    • Brewer's yeast is recommended in some circles as a flea preventative for household pets. Its ingestion is said to create an odor on the skin of animals that repels fleas. Also used as a supplement in livestock feeds, brewer's yeast is believed to improve the overall health of animals, having benefits such as improved fertility, better milk quality and reduced mastitis in milk cows, and leaner, less fatty livestock.

    Cautions

    • Brewer's yeast can produce an allergic reaction in some people and animals. Among the possible symptoms of a brewer's yeast allergy are migraine headaches, fatigue and digestive issues such as bloating and excessive gas or diarrhea; some people may develop an itchy skin rash. Brewer's yeast can interact with certain prescription drugs, so those on regular medications should consult their doctor or pharmacist before using brewer's yeast. Certain health conditions can be aggravated by the use of brewer's yeast, such as gout, candida, high blood pressure, diabetes or hypoglycemia. It is wise to seek the advice of a qualified health care professional before beginning to use any new supplement.

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