Brewer’s Yeast

Latin name: Saccharomyces cervisiae
Other name: nutritional yeast

What is Brewer’s Yeast?
Brewer’s yeast is a species of fungus used to brew beer and bake certain breads, though it has also been developed and marketed as a nutritional supplement. When the Saccharomyces cervisiae organism is alive, it is used to eat away at grains, producing carbon dioxide. This process facilitates fermentation, for which beer production is based on. When used as a supplement, however, the fungal organisms are deactivated and killed; else they would flourish in one’s gastrointestinal tract and potentially cause health problems. The supplement is used for its high nutritional content, including its abundance of vitamins (particularly B vitamins), minerals, protein, and amino acids.

What are the health benefits of Brewer’s Yeast?
Brewer’s yeast can become a nutritional part of most people’s diets, as its natural source of vitamins and minerals can be beneficial to maintaining one’s health. It can also be used as a part of one’s diet in response to nourishing the skin because of the onset of poison ivy, poison oak, psoriasis, and eczema. It can also help with neurological functions, and as such can be used for treating the symptoms of conditions such as jet lag.

Where can I find Brewer’s Yeast?
Brewer’s yeast can be found online and in health food stores.

Are there any precautions for taking Brewer’s Yeast?
There haven’t really been any side effects reported from the consumption of brewer’s yeast, though some may be allergic to it and it may have an effect on drugs taken for diabetes. As such, it is always important to speak to a licensed medical practitioner when considering use of this supplement.

To unlock more health secrets from the Natural Health Dictionary, download your copy for Amazon Kindle.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Buzz
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • email
This entry was posted in Natural Health Dictionary, Supplements, Vitamins and Nutrients.