The Benefits and Uses of Brewer’s Yeast for Weight Gain

Are Brewer’s Yeast Pills Beneficial for Weight Gain?

Despite the common belief that using brewer’s yeast pills can increase weight and appetite, there are no scientific studies proving the effectiveness of brewer’s yeast for weight gain. It is important to note that for those suffering from thinness, gaining weight should include a balanced amount of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat rather than increasing unhealthy belly fat. Generally, weight gain occurs when caloric intake exceeds calories burned by the body, but the required caloric amount varies from person to person. Therefore, it is typically advised to choose nutrient-rich foods to gain weight healthily.

How to Use Brewer’s Yeast for Weight Gain

There is no specific method available for using brewer’s yeast for weight gain. Brewer’s yeast is available in several forms, including powder, flakes, tablets, and liquid. For more information, further reading on the use of yeast pills may be beneficial.

Nutritional Value of Brewer’s Yeast

The following table outlines the nutrients found in 100 grams of brewer’s yeast powder:

– **Calories:** 383 kcal
– **Protein:** 46.67 grams
– **Total Fat:** 5 grams
– **Carbohydrates:** 43.33 grams
– **Dietary Fiber:** 23.3 grams
– **Iron:** 3 milligrams
– **Sodium:** 33 milligrams
– **Selenium:** 140 micrograms
– **Vitamin B1:** 7 milligrams
– **Vitamin B2:** 2.323 milligrams
– **Vitamin B3:** 26.667 milligrams
– **Vitamin B6:** 1.067 milligrams
– **Saturated Fatty Acids:** 1.67 grams
– **Monounsaturated Fatty Acids:** 3.33 grams

General Benefits of Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast may provide several health benefits, such as:
– Contains live microorganisms known as Microflora, which help maintain digestive function.
– Brewer’s yeast supplements can boost energy levels and strengthen the immune system due to being rich in chromium, selenium, potassium, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
– A rich source of protein, providing the body with all essential amino acids.
– Rich in B vitamins that assist in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, supplying energy from these nutrients, supporting the nervous system, contributing to muscle health used in digestion, and maintaining skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver health.

Risks of Brewer’s Yeast for Weight Gain

Safety of Brewer’s Yeast

There is limited information regarding the safety of consuming brewer’s yeast for weight gain. Generally, short-term use is likely safe for most individuals, although it may cause stomach cramps, gas, bloating, and headaches for some. It is advised to avoid prolonged use due to insufficient information on long-term safety. This also applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women, who are advised to avoid brewer’s yeast altogether during this period.

Precautions for Using Brewer’s Yeast

While specific information is lacking, some general precautions to consider include:
– **Allergy to Yeast:** Individuals allergic to yeast may experience itching and swelling after consuming brewer’s yeast.
– **Crohn’s Disease:** Brewer’s yeast may exacerbate the condition for those suffering from Crohn’s disease; hence, these individuals are advised not to use it at all.
– **Diabetic Patients:** Due to its chromium content, brewer’s yeast can lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, individuals with diabetes using blood sugar-lowering medications should monitor their blood sugar levels carefully if using brewer’s yeast to avoid severe drops.
– **Immunocompromised Individuals:** There are worries that consuming brewer’s yeast supplements may increase the risk of bloodstream infections in those with weakened immunity, such as people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or those taking medications to prevent organ rejection. It is recommended that these individuals consult a doctor before using brewer’s yeast supplements.

Drug Interactions with Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast may interact with the effects of certain medications, such as:
– **Antidepressants:** Brewer’s yeast can significantly interfere with these medications’ efficacy, including phenelzine and tranylcypromine.
– **Antifungal Drugs:** It may moderately affect these medications’ efficacy, such as fluconazole and terbinafine.
– **Diabetes Medications:** Brewer’s yeast may moderately interact with diabetes medications like insulin and metformin.
– **Lithium:** It may also moderately interact with lithium medications.

Overview of Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast is made from different types of yeast (Saccharomyces) cultivated in nutrient broth. The mineral content varies depending on the manufacturing method. Its taste is notably bitter. However, it differs from other types of yeast that contain low amounts of chromium, such as baker’s yeast, torula yeast, or nutritional yeast.

Foods Beneficial for Weight Gain

Notably, consuming 300-500 calories more than those burned is sufficient for steady weight gain. Here are some foods that are healthy additions to a diet aimed at gaining weight:
– **Rice:** One cup of rice contains about 200 calories and is a good source of carbohydrates that aid in weight gain.
– **Nuts:** Regularly consuming nuts can help increase weight safely, as they make a healthy snack that can be added to various dishes, including salads.
– **Whole Grain Bread:** Eating this type of bread, rich in complex carbohydrates, can contribute to weight gain, with some whole grain breads containing added seeds providing additional health benefits.
– **Eggs:** Eggs are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients.
– **Healthy Fats Sources:** Adding fats to food is an easy way to boost caloric intake, but attention should be given to the quality of fats and oils, opting for healthier types.
– **Milk:** Milk is a good source of calcium and various other vitamins and minerals, providing a balanced amount of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It is an excellent source of whey and casein proteins for those looking to gain muscle mass.
– **Potatoes and Other Starchy Foods:** Adding starches and potatoes to a diet can easily increase caloric intake, with healthy starch sources including quinoa, oatmeal, corn, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, along with squash, beans, legumes, and root vegetables.