When I was a kid my mom was very health conscious. We ate a lot of organic and natural foods (most of the organic veggies she grew). She followed Dr. Carlton Fredericks also met him at a book signing and spoke to him on his nightly radio shows (WOR NY AM radio).
We would take brewers yeast pills and they did have health benefits. BTW even The cats liked them
Here is some info I found on it:
What Is Brewer's Yeast?
Brewer's yeast is a byproduct of the beer industry. It absorbs vitamins and nutrients from the other ingredients involved in the brewing process. As the yeast absorbs nutrients it also absorbs flavors, which are often bitter. Some companies use a process to remove the bitterness from the product but often this also removes some of the nutritional content. In fact, during this process nearly all of the chromium will be removed. If you choose to use this type of brewer's yeast, you should add a chromium supplement.
Ingredients that are utilized in the brewing process are:
Brewer's yeast is found in health food and natural food stores. There is no way to know the exact nutritional content in any brewer's yeast because it will vary according to the age of the yeast and even from batch to batch.
Nutritional Content
Brewer's yeast has a high nucleic acid count. This is an important component of cell development. Other vitamins and minerals contained in brewer's yeast are:
- Folic acid
- B12
- Potassium
- Thiamin
- Niacin
- Chromium
It is low in calories, fat, sodium and carbohydrates, which makes it great for the person who has dietary restrictions for health reasons.
Some Health Benefits of Brewer's Yeast
Using brewer's yeast daily as a supplement to your healthy diet can improve the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- High cholesterol
- Eczema
- Nervousness
- Stress
- Carpal tunnel
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Repels fleas when given to household pets
If you use brewer's yeast to help control diabetes, be sure you get the type that has not gone through the debittering process. The nutrient in the yeast that helps with diabetes is chromium, the supplement that is removed during debittering. Chromium is also the part of the yeast that helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. The chromium in brewer's yeast is more bio-available, allowing the body to use it more effectively than the type found in supplements.
Side Effects and Cautions
Always consult with your health care provider before taking any new supplements, including brewer's yeast. This is especially true if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia. Brewer's yeast can change the way your body responds to blood sugar and this can be dangerous if you are on insulin or other similar medications.
Brewer's yeast has no serious side effects, but it can cause stomach upset, gas, and/or bloating in some people. Always start slow when adding a nutritional supplement to your diet, gradually increasing the amount over a period of weeks to give you body time to adjust.
Do not use brewer's yeast if you have the following conditions:
- Gout
- Candida
- High levels of uric acid
- Allergy to mold or penicillin
Taking Brewer's Yeast
Brewer's yeast is usually sold in flaked or powdered form. It has a yeasty, almost cheesy flavor and is an easy addition to savory dishes. Sprinkle it on popcorn or salads. In fact, you can add it to almost any dish, including:
- Meatloaf
- Stews
- Pasta dishes
- Rice
- Potatoes au Gratin
The yeast is best sprinkled over the cooked food or stirred in at the end. This is because the cooking process can destroy the B vitamins.
Keep a close eye on your health. If you experience any unusual symptoms, then you may be sensitive to the yeast. This is especially true if you have a tendency to have yeast infections. If you have no added symptoms and if you feel better, then continue to increase the brewer's yeast in your diet.
The health benefits of brewer's yeast are a blessing to many people. By supplementing your diet with this product you may find that not only does your energy increase, but your metabolism works better, too. You just feel better overall. Give yourself some time to get used to the flavor, and you may find you eventually like the taste. Brewer's yeast is an easy way to add powerful nutrients to your healthy diet.
http://vitamins.lovetoknow.com/Health_Benefits_of_Brewers_Yeast