Ingredients A-Z

Baker’s Yeast

Overview

Baker’s yeast or brewer’s yeast is a group of specific strains of single-cell fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is one of the most notable and well-known yeast species beneficial to our health. Living yeast is widely used as brewing ales and baking whereas dried, deactivated yeast is often added in dietary supplement for its high nutritional value of protein, chromium, B vitamins and selenium¹.

Baker’s yeast is used in alternative medicine to help in digestion and other health conditions including maintainingintestinal function, anti-ulceration and anti-allergy.

Key indications

Antioxidant

Clinical study reported taking single dose of 500mg of specific brewer’s yeast preparation enhanced antioxidant protection at two hours after intake as measured by the cell-based antioxidant protection in erythrocytes (CAP-e) assay².

Blood glucose management

Baker’s yeast consists of a form of chromium known as glucose tolerance factor (GTC). GTC has been shown to improve insulin response in the body. Daily consumption of 1.8g of baker’s yeast for 12 weeks resulted in 9% drop in blood sugar level in those with type-ll diabetes⁷. Blood pressure was improved in people with type-ll diabetes in another study with daily consumption dose of 1.8g of baker’s yeast⁵.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is known as a digestive disorder often resulted in abdominal discomfort, flatulence, diarrhea and constipation. Several gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating were significantly improved in the 2nd month of supplementation of 500mg to 1000mg (8 billion cfu/g) of baker’s yeast in IBS patients compared to placebo in a review study⁴.

Immune health

Beta-glucans extracted from the cell walls of baker’s yeast can help to improve the innate immune system through enhancing the role of key white blood cells in identifying and killing potential pathogens. This makes immune cells react more quickly and effectively in infection³.

Adverse effects⁶

Baker’s yeast is generally well-tolerated in most people. In some cases, the commonly reported adverse effects are stomach upset, flatulence, migraine-like headaches. It may cause fungemia in certain people.

Dosage range⁶

Typical doses used in clinical trials is ranging from 500mg to 1,000mg daily or 4 to 8 billion colony-forming units daily up to 12 weeks.

Contraindications/cautions⁶

  • Precaution to consider if one has yeast allergy. Yeast allergy symptoms include chest pain, throat or chest tightness, or difficulty breathing.
  • Interaction may occur with these drugs and supplements:
      – Antidiabetic drugs, herbs and supplements

    1. It might increase risk of hypoglyceamia
      – Lithium

    1. It might cause additive effects and side effects
      – Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

    1. It might promote the risk of hypertension
      – Crohn’s disease

    1. It might worsen the condition
      – Immunodeficiency

    1. (underwent organ transplant or advanced HIV)
      It might trigger a fungal infection
  • Safety data on pregnancy and lactation has not been established..

Adverse effects⁶

Baker’s yeast is generally well-tolerated in most people. In some cases, the commonly reported adverse effects are stomach upset, flatulence, migraine-like headaches. It may cause fungemia in certain people.

Dosage range⁶

Typical doses used in clinical trials is ranging from 500mg to 1,000mg daily or 4 to 8 billion colony-forming units daily up to 12 weeks.

Contraindications/cautions⁶

  • Precaution to consider if one has yeast allergy. Yeast allergy symptoms include chest pain, throat or chest tightness, or difficulty breathing.
  • Interaction may occur with these drugs and supplements:
      – Antidiabetic drugs, herbs and supplements

    1. It might increase risk of hypoglyceamia
      – Lithium

    1. It might cause additive effects and side effects
      – Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

    1. It might promote the risk of hypertension
      – Crohn’s disease

    1. It might worsen the condition
      – Immunodeficiency

    1. (underwent organ transplant or advanced HIV)
      It might trigger a fungal infection
  • Safety data on pregnancy and lactation has not been established..

References :

  1. Minerals for diabetes. (2000). Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter, 16(2):160212.
  2. Jensen, GS, et al. (2011). Antioxidant bioavailability and rapid immune-modulating effects after consumption of a single acute dose of a high-metabolite yeast immunogen: results of a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover pilot study. J Med Food, 14(9):1002-1010.
  3. KHNI Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute 2020. (2022). Immunity Ingredients At-A-Glance: Beta Glucans. Retrieved from https://khni.kerry.com/news/immunity-ingredients-at–glance-beta-glucans/
  4. Cayzeele-Decherf, A., Pélerin, F., Leuillet, S., Douillard, B., Housez, B., Cazaubiel, M., Jacobson, G. K., Jüsten, P., & Desreumaux, P. (2017). Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome: An individual subject meta-analysis. World journal of gastroenterology, 23(2), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v23.i2.336
  5. Hosseinzadeh, P., Djazayery, A., Mostafavi, SA., et al. (2013). Brewer’s yeast improves blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Iran J Public Health, 42(6):602-609.
  6. Therapeutic Research Centre. (2022). Brewer’s Yeast. Retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=715
  7. Hosseinzadeh, P., Javanbakht, MH., Mostafavi, SA., et al. (2013). Brewer’s yeast improves glycemic indices in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Prev Med, 4(10):1131-1138.

References :

  1. Minerals for diabetes. (2000). Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter, 16(2):160212.
  2. Jensen, GS, et al. (2011). Antioxidant bioavailability and rapid immune-modulating effects after consumption of a single acute dose of a high-metabolite yeast immunogen: results of a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover pilot study. J Med Food, 14(9):1002-1010.
  3. KHNI Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute 2020. (2022). Immunity Ingredients At-A-Glance: Beta Glucans. Retrieved from https://khni.kerry.com/news/immunity-ingredients-at–glance-beta-glucans/
  4. Cayzeele-Decherf, A., Pélerin, F., Leuillet, S., Douillard, B., Housez, B., Cazaubiel, M., Jacobson, G. K., Jüsten, P., & Desreumaux, P. (2017). Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome: An individual subject meta-analysis. World journal of gastroenterology, 23(2), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v23.i2.336
  5. Hosseinzadeh, P., Djazayery, A., Mostafavi, SA., et al. (2013). Brewer’s yeast improves blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Iran J Public Health, 42(6):602-609.
  6. Therapeutic Research Centre. (2022). Brewer’s Yeast. Retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=715
  7. Hosseinzadeh, P., Javanbakht, MH., Mostafavi, SA., et al. (2013). Brewer’s yeast improves glycemic indices in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Prev Med, 4(10):1131-1138.
DOWNLOAD >>

The material is prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a piece of personal medical advice. Owing to each person’s varying health needs, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in this material. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate, it is compiled for internal use only and should not be considered definitive. Neither VitaHealth nor its employees, or information providers shall be responsible or liable for any errors, inaccuracies, or other defects in the information contained in this publication.

You might also be interested in

Ziziphus Jujuba

Ziziphus jujuba is the scientific name for jujube or jujuba. It’s more commonly known as a red date, Chinese date, or Chinese Jujube. Ziziphus jujuba

READ MORE

Zinc

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the proper functioning of several processes in the human body. It is the second most abundant trace element in

READ MORE

Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin is a yellow pigment that predominantly accumulates in the retina of the eyes and naturally occurred in plants such as marigold flower. The concentration

READ MORE
My Cart
Close Wishlist
Close Recently Viewed
Categories