The harm and benefits of using brewer’s yeast

Erudite beer lovers are happy to talk about the fact that two or three hundred years ago this drink was considered a cure for many diseases. Doctors recommended beer to fragile urban ladies to improve their appetite and complexion, to hysterical ladies to calm their nerves, to the wounded in hospitals to restore strength.

Quality beer really contains many useful substances. But in our time, such prescriptions for treatment are not applicable: firstly, it is difficult to find live unfiltered beer without synthetic additives, and secondly, it will not take long to get beer alcoholism with such a medicine. However, scientists have found that brewer’s yeast is a real storehouse of vitamins and microelements that are easily digestible by the human body. The use of brewer’s yeast for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, as well as for strengthening the immune system, brings very good results.

Types of brewer’s yeast

There are three forms of brewer’s yeast on the market:

• Live (liquid) brewer’s yeast. Sold at breweries. The additive in this form has the greatest strength, but there is a significant drawback: liquid yeast can be stored at room temperature for no more than 6–8 hours, and in the refrigerator (at a temperature of +7 to +10 °C). Live brewer’s yeast should not be taken with fungal diseases (in particular, with thrush) and with intestinal dysbacteriosis.
• Dry brewer’s yeast in the form of powder or granules is sold in pharmacies. Dry yeast has a much longer shelf life than liquid yeast.
• Brewer’s yeast tablets. In this form, both ordinary dietary supplements (biologically active additives) are produced, without impurities, and enriched with various minerals or vitamins.

Useful properties of brewer’s yeast

Brewer’s yeast is one of the most effective dietary supplements containing:

• 14 vitamins: group B (ensure the normal functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, prevent the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease, accelerate cell regeneration, improve vision, slow down the aging process), as well as C, D, E, F, PP;
• 17 amino acids, most of which are essential;
• unsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, oleic and linoleic);
• potassium, chromium, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, sodium, sulfur, copper and other trace elements.
• All vitamins contained in brewer’s yeast are water-soluble, therefore they do not accumulate in the body. This supplement significantly improves well-being with beriberi and hypovitaminosis. BAAs based on brewer’s yeast are useful for vegetarians to periodically take: these preparations contain folic acid, the source of which for the body is mainly meat food. Folic acid is involved in the process of DNA synthesis during cell division and has a beneficial effect on reproductive function.

The benefits of brewer’s yeast are as follows:

• improve appetite, normalize digestion and metabolism;
• contribute to the achievement of optimal weight. If body weight is excessive, then due to the acceleration of metabolic processes, you can lose a few extra pounds. People who are underweight, taking yeast, on the contrary, get better. This effect is often used by athletes who want to pump up muscle mass;
• due to the high content of chromium, they alleviate the condition of patients with type II diabetes;
• antioxidants present in yeast slow down the aging process;
• prevent the occurrence and development of liver cancer;
• soothe with stress, emotional exhaustion, sudden mood swings;
• restore strength during physical exhaustion, anemia, strengthen immunity;
• help to endure significant physical and mental stress;
• normalize the work of the cardiovascular system;
• maintain an optimal level of acid-base balance in the body;
• help get rid of youthful acne, rashes, improve the condition of the skin with furunculosis, dermatosis, eczema, psoriasis;
• strengthen hair and stop hair loss;
• strengthen nails, make them less brittle.

Contraindications to taking brewer’s yeast

Brewer’s yeast can only be harmful if you do not follow the instructions and recommendations of the doctor. Taking drugs with brewer’s yeast is contraindicated:

• children up to 3 years;
• elderly people (dietary supplement contains a large amount of nucleic acid);
• people with kidney disease;
• those who are allergic to brewer’s yeast.
• This supplement is not prohibited for pregnant women, but before you start taking it, you should consult a doctor.

Features of taking brewer’s yeast in various diseases

Brewer’s yeast, unlike beer, does not contain alcohol. Therefore, they are allowed to be taken by children from the age of three.

Before use, live yeast is diluted with milk, fruit or vegetable juice, water in the proportion: one tablespoon of the preparation for half a glass of liquid.

The medicine is taken 30-40 minutes before meals. For prevention, the following dosage is recommended:

• for children from 3 to 6 years old, the dosage of the drug should be prescribed by a doctor;
• for children from 6 to 12 years old – 3 times a day for a teaspoon;
• for children aged 12-16 years – 3 times a day for a tablespoon;
• for adults (over 16 years old) – 3 times a day, 2-3 tablespoons.
• The duration of the course is 30 days, after which you need to take a break for 1-3 months.

In other cases, the regimen of taking the drug depends on the disease:

• in case of skin problems (acne, rash), as well as beriberi, you should drink at least 2 times a day half an hour before meals a tablespoon of live yeast diluted in milk;
• with low acidity of the stomach – 3 times a day half an hour before meals, drink 2 tablespoons of yeast diluted in water;
• for burning and spasms in the intestines – 3 times a day half an hour before meals, take a tablespoon of yeast (mix with water). Add half a teaspoon of grated ginger to the solution;
• with colitis and enterocolitis – 2-3 times a day between meals, drink a tablespoon of yeast (dilute with a glass of carrot juice).
• with insomnia – for 20 days, drink at night a tablespoon of live yeast mixed with a glass of warm milk. A pinch of ground cardamom is added to the medicine.

The easiest way is to dose brewer’s yeast in tablets: the dosage regimen is indicated in the instructions. However, it is better to discuss the exact dosage with your doctor.

How to choose the right brewer’s yeast enriched with trace elements

To make the benefits of brewer’s yeast even more significant, various useful substances are added to them. Knowing why the body needs a particular microelement, you can easily choose the right dietary supplement for yourself:

• iron prevents the decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood. Yeast with iron is recommended to drink with anemia;
• zinc lowers cholesterol levels, has antiviral and antibacterial properties, and also has a beneficial effect on reproductive function. Dietary supplements with zinc are primarily advisable to take for those who plan to conceive a child;
• magnesium is involved in the process of protein synthesis in the body, this trace element is necessary for the functioning of the heart muscle;
• succinic acid makes muscles more elastic, helping to endure significant physical exertion;
• selenium is an immunomodulator that slows down aging and is necessary for the normal functioning of the liver;
• sulfur strengthens nails and hair, cleanses the skin;
• calcium prevents the development of osteoporosis, provides bone strength;
• iodine – supports the immune system, the functioning of the thyroid gland, has a calming effect. First of all, yeast with iodine is needed for those who suffer from constant stress;
• potassium – improves the supply of oxygen to the brain, lowers blood pressure, ensures the functioning of muscles (including the heart).

Brewer’s yeast in cosmetology

In order to strengthen hair, cleanse the skin of acne and blackheads, you should not only take brewer’s yeast, but also make face and hair masks with them.

Facial masks with brewer’s yeast

For rashes, acne, skin peeling, age spots, it is recommended to dilute 2 teaspoons of dry brewer’s yeast or 2 tablespoons of live kefir. The mixture should be infused for an hour and a half. The thickened mass is applied to the face and neck, and after 15 minutes it is washed off with warm boiled water. The mask is designed to cleanse normal and oily skin, whiten it and smooth out fine wrinkles.

For mature and dry skin, replace kefir with warm milk, infuse the mixture for an hour and keep it on your face for 20 minutes. The mask perfectly rejuvenates. It is recommended to apply 5-7 days in a row, then you should take a break for 2-3 weeks.

Masks with brewer’s yeast for hair

Hair masks are done no more than once a week (three weeks in a row, then a break for 7-14 days):

• for dry hair, mix half a glass of kefir with 10 g of dry yeast and a teaspoon of honey. The mass is infused for half an hour, after which it is applied to the hair, the head is warmly wrapped and the mixture is washed off after an hour;
• for oily hair, a mask is made from 10 g of dry brewer’s yeast, a tablespoon of water and a raw chicken egg. Within an hour, the mixture ferments and swells in a warm place, after which it is put on the head and wrapped in a towel, held for an hour and washed off with warm water.

Attention! Self-medication can be dangerous, consult your doctor.