« back to encyclopedia search resultsBrewer's Yeast
As the name implies, this was originally a by-product of the brewing industry that grew on hops grain and malt, and which had to be debittered. Now, due to its high nutritional value, it's produced commercially as a supplement.
The best types are graded 'primary' - and usually grown on molasses or sugar beets. Brewer's yeast is a well-balanced food, containing excellent concentrations of B-complex vitamins, and also contains 17 amino acids - including all the essential ones. It also contains an abundance of minerals and trace elements, including selenium (now thought of as a vital anti-carcinogenic agent).
Initially, only small amounts of brewer's yeast should be taken on a daily basis; then, as the body adapts to it, the amount can be gradually increased. See 'Alternative Medicine'; 'Selenium'; 'Sugar - molasses'
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