COMPARING YEASTS The Basics Yeast is a living, single-cell organism. It’s grown on anything sugary, including sugarcane sap, yeast extract, malt extract, or just a handful of sugar. There are many kinds of yeast, but they all require many of the same vitamins and amino acids that humans need. If they are grown on foods that are lacking in certain nutrients, like sugar, they are forced to manufacture their own amino acids and vitamins biochemically. In doing so, the yeast cells become a much more complete food, explains Michael J. Conboy, a researcher in the department of biological sciences at Stanford University.2 The Different Forms of Yeast Brewer’s yeast is usually a by-product of the brewing industry and should not be confused with nutritional yeast or torula yeast, which tend to be low in chromium. Baker’s Yeast (found in the grocery section in the baking aisle or refrigerated bulk section) Baker’s yeast contains living cells from the family Saccharomycetaceae. These fungi feed on starches in batter, producing carbon dioxide gas. The live cells are killed during the baking process, but the B vitamins that are accumulated by them are still present in the baked bread.1,2 Brewer’s Yeast Brewer’s yeast is the dried, pulverized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of fungus. It is a rich source of the B-complex vitamins, protein (providing all the essential amino acids), and minerals, particularly chromium. Brewer’s yeast, which has a slight bitter taste, is recovered after being used in the beer-brewing process. “De-bittered” yeast is also available. The live cells in brewer’s yeast are also destroyed during the brewing process, but the dead cells still have nutrient value.2 Nutritional Yeast Nutritional yeast is any yeast grown for the specific purpose of being a food supplement, which is often indicated by labeling the product as “primary grown.” This kind is usually grown on molasses or sugar beets, is pleasant-tasting, and does not require further processing. It is not limited to one type of yeast as brewer’s yeast classification. It is basically any yeast fit for human consumption, such as turula, kefir, etc. While it might be a brewer’s yeast, it could also be yeast from another species. It can have a wide range of nutritional values, depending on the species of yeast and on what medium it was grown in, such as grain or sugarcane sap. For example, some yeasts are grown with a high chromium content, while others have a high selenium content.2,3 Bio Strath, by Nature’s Answer, is a unique product made from saccharomyces cerevisiae. This is a specific species of yeast that is not nutritional yeast or brewer’s yeast. This yeast is grown in a big vat and fed herbs. The end product is neither yeast nor herbs, since the yeast is destroyed in the process. What is left over is a supplement that contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. The liquid is rich in nutrient and supports overall health and may be particularly helpful to the immune system.4,5 Tablets are an unsweetened form, whereas the liquid is sweetened. Both the tablets and liquid are gluten free.

CF240 – Updated 6/04 1 Quality Products on Our Shelves Information on products from specific companies collection 2003. Nature's Life - grown on wood sugars, naturally separated, pasteurized and dried. Solgar - grown on beet molasses. KAL (Neutraceutical) - grown on sugar cane or beet molasses and imported yeast is grown on blackstrap molasses. Lewis Labs – nutritional yeast is grown on sugar beets and Twin Lab - brewer’s yeast is grown on barley hops (by-product of beer making process) and nutritional yeast is grown on molasses. Red Star (bulk) - saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on mixtures of cane and beet molasses. Deficiencies Brewer’s yeast is not an essential nutrient, but it can be used as a source of B-complex vitamins, protein (containing all the essential amino acids), and minerals, including a biologically active form of chromium known as glucose tolerance factor (GTF). It is a good source of chromium, both in terms of quantity (containing as much as 60 mcg per Tbsp) and bioavailability.6 Recommended Intake Brewer’s or nutritional yeast is often taken as a powder, tablets, or capsules. When doctors recommend brewer’s or nutritional yeast, they will often suggest 1–2 tablespoons (up to 4), usually as an optimal way to supply chromium. It will dissolve in juice or water. Take on an empty stomach unless indigestion occurs; then take with food.6 It is best to begin with 1 teaspoon and slowly working up. Side Effects & Cautions Side effects have not been reported from the use of brewer’s or nutritional yeast. It is not related to the Candida albicans fungus, which causes yeast infection. Although, some individuals have an allergy to brewer’s yeast.6 Because it contains a highly biologically active form of chromium, supplementation with brewer’s yeast could potentially enhance the effects of drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin or other blood sugar-lowering agents) and possibly lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore, those with diabetes should talk with their doctor before taking this supplement.

1 Kilham, Chris. The Whole Foods Bible. Healing Arts Press. 1997. 2 Maleskly, Gale. Nature’s Medicine. Rodale, 1999. 3 Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books, 1993. 4 Joller, Peter "Influenza and colds in winter: Prophlaxis with a herbal yeast preparation in comparison with influenze vaccination." GanzheitsMedizen 8 (5):225-230, 1996 5 Bunner, K.W. "Effect of a herbal yeast preparation in convalescent patients." GanzheitsMedizen 8(6), 1996 6 Healthnotes Online, Inc. Portland, www.healthnotes.com. 1999.

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