Brewer's Yeast is an active yeast used to make beer and can also be grown specifically to make nutritional supplements. It is a rich source of minerals (particularly chromium), protein, and the B-complex vitamins. Brewer's Yeast is bitter in taste. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that helps the body maintain normal blood sugar levels. It occurs naturally in the environment and is an important contributor to human health. Some experts estimate that as many as 90% of Americans don't get enough chromium in their diet. Brewer's Yeast has been used as a functional food for many centuries. Traditionally, the yeast's most obvious use may well have been in the production of the intoxicating liquids we now refer to as wines. It was also used as both a flavor enhancer and therapeutic agent, treating a multitude of health conditions. Although knowledge regarding its nutritional content was lacking, cultures of the past continually praised its healing properties.
Brewer's Yeast is a type of fungus formally known as Saccharomyces cervisiae. Along with other Saccharomyces species, Brewer's Yeast is used to brew beer and bake some breads, and can also be used as a nutritional supplement in an inactive form. When used as a dietary supplement, Brewer's Yeast can provide the body with a number of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin B. Dried Brewer's Yeast is a rich source of several nutrients, including the B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, folate, vitamin B12 and biotin, and such trace minerals as chromium and selenium. It also contains beta-glucans (see Yeast Beta-Glucan), ribonucleic acid or RNA (see Nucleic Acids/Nucleotides), para-aminobenzoic acid and myo-inositol. A substance isolated from Brewer's Yeast called skin respiratory factor or SRF has found application in some cosmetic and wound-healing products, as well as in some hemorrhoidal preparations.
References:
University of Maryland Medical Center. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/brewers-yeast-000288.htm
Wise Geek. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-brewers-yeast.htm
PDR Health. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/bre_0043.shtml
