Can brewer’s yeast help?

The wide range of dietary supplements available in today’s supermarkets can be overwhelming. Grocery aisles stretch before you, bottles of pills filling your vision with labels that look like algebraic equations… it can be hard to know which ones will be right for you if you are lactose intolerant. Lately, the use of brewer’s yeast as a dietary supplement for people with various gastroenterological problems has become quite popular.

What is it?

Brewer’s yeast is classified as a "live microbial supplement." This definition places it in the same category as lacto-bacilli, the active agent in some live yogurts – but of course, the yeast has none of the lactose the yogurt has. Brewer’s yeast has been found to be beneficial for people with digestive problems, including lactose intolerance.

What does it do?

Brewer’s yeast, also called Saccharomyces boulardii and S. cerevisiae, is a probiotic. A probiotic is the opposite of an antibiotic – where an antibiotic kills bad bacteria, a probiotic "promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract." Doctor points out that promotion of bacteria in the GI tract is very important, as there are "10 times as many bacteria in the gut, as cells in the human body." That means that for each cell in your body, there are 10 bacteria in your gut – and you want it that way. Brewer’s yeast, as a probiotic, can help maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive system. In fact, it is commonly recommended to combat digestive problems that result from antibiotic use.

Where does it come from?

Brewer’s yeast is a by-product of the beer-brewing process, derived from grains and hops. Sometimes it is labeled as medicinal yeast. As with many dietary supplements, use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) is contraindicated. Use of brewer’s yeast as a live microbial supplement, any use of fungicide will render it ineffective. Allergies to brewer’s yeast are rare but possible – run the idea by your doctor before you start taking a new nutritional supplement.

What should I do with it?

Brewer’s yeast is to be taken orally, but that hardly limits your options. While it is available in tablets to be swallowed whole, you may also choose brewer’s yeast in powdered or flake form. Flake form is most appropriate for inclusion in nutritional shakes and smoothies, uses powdered brewer’s yeast as a popcorn topping. Many smoo-thie recipes including brewer’s yeast are dairy free, with lots of fresh fruit and ice – several are available online.