Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Brewer's yeast/Drug Interactions:

  • AlcoholAlcohol: Alcohol use decreases thiamine absorption and may lead to decreased levels in the body. Certain brewer's yeast formulations (i.e., Brewer's Yeast 500mg (manufacturer: Nature's Life)) contain thiamine.
  • Antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Studies in humans indicate that concurrent use of brewer's yeast and MAOIs may lead to hypertensive crisis due to the large amounts of tyramine present in brewer's yeast (31).
  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: Brewer's yeast has been shown to decrease serum insulin and glucose levels (14; 15; 7; 13; 16; 8).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Theoretically, antifungal agents may reduce yeast activity.
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: Brewer's yeast contains tyramine, and large amounts of tyramine may increase blood pressure (31).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Brewer's yeast has been shown to decrease serum lipids and increase HDL in human studies (9; 5; 13).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro research shows that killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancer cells (18).
  • ChromiumChromium: In in vitro and human research, the main constituent of brewer's yeast was chromium and a chromium complex called glucose tolerance factor (GTF) (4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 15); brewer's yeast has been shown to increase serum and urinary chromium in humans (5).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: The heat-stable and soluble glycoprotein gp200 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was able to induce a proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro (33).
  • LithiumLithium: A naturally lithium-rich brewer's yeast has been shown to produce mood enhancement in previous drug abusers in one randomized clinical trial (17). The effects with lithium is unknown.
  • Vitamin DVitamin D: According to research, brewer's yeast is an exogenous source of vitamin D (36).

    • Brewer's yeast/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Studies in humans indicate that concurrent use of brewer's yeast and MAOIs may lead to hypertensive crisis, due to the large amounts of tyramine present in brewer's yeast (31).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Theoretically, antifungal agents may reduce yeast activity.
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Brewer's yeast has been shown to decrease serum lipids and increase HDL in human studies (9; 5; 13).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro research shows that killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancer cells (18).
  • ChromiumChromium: In in vitro and human research, the main constituent of brewer's yeast was chromium and a chromium complex called glucose tolerance factor (GTF) (4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 15); brewer's yeast has been shown to increase serum and urinary chromium in humans (5).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Brewer's yeast has been shown to decrease serum insulin and glucose levels (14; 15; 7; 13; 16; 8).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: The heat-stable and soluble glycoprotein gp200 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was able to induce a proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro (33).
  • Vitamin DVitamin D: According to research, brewer's yeast is an exogenous source of vitamin D (36).

    • Brewer's yeast/Food Interactions:

  • Carbonated beverages and foods or beverages with citratesCarbonated beverages and foods or beverages with citrates: Consumption of carbonated beverages and foods or beverages with citrates may decrease thiamine absorption and may lead to decreased levels in the body. Certain brewer's yeast formulations (i.e., Brewer's Yeast 500mg (manufacturer: Nature's Life)) contain thiamine.
  • Raw seafoodRaw seafood: Raw freshwater fish and shellfish contain thiaminase enzymes that destroy thiamine. Certain brewer's yeast formulations (i.e., Brewer's Yeast 500mg (manufacturer: Nature's Life)) contain thiamine. Cooking destroys these enzymes, and therefore consumption of cooked seafood does not appear to affect thiamine levels.
  • Vitamin DVitamin D: According to research, brewer's yeast is an exogenous source of vitamin D (36).

    • Brewer's yeast/Lab Interactions:

  • Chromium levelsChromium levels: Brewer's yeast has been shown to increase serum and urinary chromium in humans (5).
  • Lipid profileLipid profile: Brewer's yeast has been shown to decrease serum lipids and to increase HDL cholesterol in humans (9; 5; 13).
  • LithiumLithium: Lithium may be found in some brewer's yeast supplements (17). The effect on lithium levels is not clear.
  • Phosphotungstate methodPhosphotungstate method: Certain brewer's yeast formulations (i.e., Brewer's Yeast 500mg (manufacturer: Nature's Life)) contain thiamine. Thiamine may cause false positive results in the phosphotungstate method for uric acid determination (theoretical).
  • Schack and Waxler spectrophotometric assaySchack and Waxler spectrophotometric assay: Certain brewer's yeast formulations (i.e., Brewer's Yeast 500mg (manufacturer: Nature's Life)) contain thiamine. Large amounts of thiamine may interfere with Schack and Waxler spectrophotometric determination of serum theophylline concentrations (theoretically).
  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: Brewer's yeast has been shown to decrease serum glucose levels in humans (14; 15; 7; 13; 16; 8).
  • Urine spot test with Ehrlich's reagentUrine spot test with Ehrlich's reagent: Certain brewer's yeast formulations (i.e., Brewer's Yeast 500mg (manufacturer: Nature's Life)) contain thiamine. Thiamine may cause false positive results in the urine spot test with Ehrlich's reagent for urobilinogen (theoretically).