Brewer’s yeast is known as baker’s yeast, nutritional yeast, and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae yeast. Whatever name it goes by, this bitter little fungus has many properties that help promote the overall health and well-being of humans and animals alike. But does it really help to boost the milk supply in lactating moms, or is it just a myth?
Brewer’s yeast is believed to increase milk supply by promoting the general well-being of a lactating mother. It includes B vitamins and minerals vital for human growth and function and boosts the body’s ability to digest food. Brewer’s yeast is also proven to fight breast cancer cells.
Overall, brewer’s yeast is an excellent supplement for most people, provided they are not allergic to it. While it doesn’t directly promote milk production, mothers believe this natural galactagogue is one of many ways to improve milk supply. It is best used with other milk-boosting strategies, including a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Brewers Yeast And Breastfeeding: Does It Really Help?
Lactating mothers have widely used brewer’s yeast to increase their milk supply, despite no significant evidence to support this in humans. However, researchers have studied the effects of brewer’s yeast on the milk supply of lactating ruminants. Their findings showed that brewer’s yeast can contribute to increased milk supply in most instances.
Since brewer’s yeast can help other mammals’ milk supply, it is inferred that it can improve a lactating woman’s perceived milk production. But what is this supplement, and is it really worth all the fuss? Additionally, are there any risks or suggestions attached to consuming brewer’s yeast? Let’s dive in!
What Is Brewer’s Yeast?
Brewer’s yeast is a one-celled fungus used in the production of bread and beer, and many people use it for nutritional needs. The fungus is called Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SCY) and has a bitter taste. Brewer’s yeast is often used as a health and dietary supplement and can contain live or non-living yeast.
Although there is no substantial scientific evidence to support its use, people use brewer’s yeast for the following purposes:
- As a galactagogue (milk production enhancer)
- To maintain healthy hair, skin, eyes, and mouth
- To boost energy levels
- To treat lactose intolerance
- To enhance the immune system
- As a treatment for Type 2 Diabetes (by improving glucose tolerance)
- As treatment against influenza
- As treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea
- To treat high cholesterol.
A study has shown that a sterol found in brewer’s yeast may effectively prevent breast cancer. Ergosterol, a major sterol present in both brewer’s and baker’s yeast, is said to have chemo-preventative properties in breast cancer cells. Therefore, brewer’s yeast has the added benefit of protecting a nursing mother’s breasts whether or not she is breastfeeding.
Brewer’s Yeast Nutritional Values
As simple as a one-celled fungus might sound, brewer’s yeast is a rich source of the following vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements:
Vitamins In Brewer’s Yeast
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B7 (biotin)
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
Minerals In Brewer’s Yeast
- Chromium
- Selenium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Magnesium
Nutritional Supplements In Brewer’s Yeast
- Protein
- Probiotics
How Can You Consume Brewer’s Yeast?
Brewer’s yeast is packaged in various forms, namely flakes, powder, tablets, or a liquid form. In addition, it is possible to obtain “debittered” brewer’s yeast, although those forms have less chromium present.
Brewer’s yeast, as its name suggests, is also found in brewed products such as beer. However, it isn’t recommended for a lactating mother to consume beer or milk stout during breastfeeding because it appears to alter the mother’s sensory perceptions when feeding. Additionally, some alcohol present in beer can pass through the milk and to the infant and affect their consumption.
Brewer’s yeast is also found in some bread, as it is used as the rising agent. In addition, the powdered form can be added to lactation cookies as a delicious treat for lactating mothers. Some moms even add the powder to their shakes, smoothies, juice, or water to boost their milk supply.
How Much Should You Take For Increasing Milk Supply?
As mentioned, studies have not been conducted on breastfeeding mothers to determine the efficacy of brewer’s yeast in increasing milk supply. Additionally, no specific dosages are deemed the “magic dosage” as each lactating mother’s lifestyle and physical and nutritional needs differ.
The average adult dose of brewer’s yeast powder is one to two tablespoons daily. However, in tablet form, the average recommended dosage of SCY in brewer’s yeast was below 5g daily. In contrast, as much as 30g of SCY in powder form can be ingested daily.
How Does Brewer’s Yeast Increase Milk Supply?
So, it seems that brewer’s yeast can help to improve milk supply. But how and why does it do so? Researchers believe that brewer’s yeast improved the milk supply in ruminants for the following reasons:
- Brewer’s yeast helped improve the metabolic activity of microflora, leading to increased digestibility and metabolism of food.
- It improved the health of mammary glands, as was evident in the lowered somatic cell count in milk (somatic cells count is an indicator of mastitis or infection),
- Brewer’s yeast helped to improve the lactating mother’s immunity, evident in the increased maternal immunological parameters and blood gamma-globulin levels.
- Brewer’s yeast increased overall nutrition, supplying increased vitamins, minerals, and proteins conducive to healthier body function and increased milk production.
Effectively, brewer’s yeast helps increase milk supply because it can improve a mother’s overall health and, therefore, her ability to produce milk. The B vitamins are known to enhance energy levels. At the same time, the probiotic element helps to strengthen the immune system and absorb more nutrients from the food consumed.
The minerals in brewer’s yeast have the following benefits to the body and, as such, improved milk supply:
- The chromium in brewer’s yeast helps to regulate blood sugar levels. It also helps with the metabolism of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.
- The iron in brewer’s yeast aids growth and development within the human body. In addition, it helps to fight anemia and improve oxygen transport and availability to muscles and organs.
- Selenium aids in the production of essential proteins which produce and metabolize thyroid hormones.
- Potassium helps with the transport of nutrients to cells and the removal of waste from cells. It also helps to maintain a regular heartbeat, helps nerves and muscles contract and relax, and negates the adverse effects of sodium on blood pressure.
- Magnesium helps to control nerve and muscle function, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Additionally, magnesium is used to produce bone, protein, and DNA.
Does It Work For Everyone?
Despite being beneficial in many respects, brewer’s yeast is only suitable for some women. If you are still deciding if you should take brewer’s yeast while breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or lactation consultant. Before you talk to them, list any conditions you have and the medications you take regularly.
However, brewer’s yeast is not recommended for people with the following disorders or diseases due to potentially harmful interactions and corresponding side effects:
- Crohn’s disease
- People with a central venous catheter
- People with a compromised or weakened immune system (including those with HIV/AIDS and cancer)
- Those who get frequent yeast infections
- People taking Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the interaction with brewer’s yeast
- Those on antidepressants with high blood pressure
- People taking meperidine (a narcotic pain killer)
- People taking lithium
- People taking anti-diabetes drugs
Side Effects Of Brewer’s Yeast
Taking brewer’s yeast can lead to some mild side effects. These include the following:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Stomach pains or bloating
- Flatulence
If you experience more severe side effects, you should stop taking brewer’s yeast with immediate effect and seek medical attention. The following symptoms indicate that you are having an allergic reaction to brewer’s yeast:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Throat pain or tightness
- Difficulty breathing
Alternatives To Brewer’s Yeast As A Galactagogue
If you can’t use brewer’s yeast to boost your milk supply, other natural foods, supplements, and medications can also help boost your milk supply. It is essential, however, to rely on more than just a supplement to increase your milk supply. It is recommended that you pump milk or nurse more to help your body to produce more milk to meet the perceived demand.
Aside from getting prescription medication to increase your milk supply, you can try to eat the following foods and supplements to help boost your milk supply:
- A variety of whole grains
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- High-quality fats
- Protein sources from animals and plants
Other ways to promote milk production are the following:
- Through increased skin-on-skin contact (which releases prolactin and stimulates oxytocin production)
- Breast compression (gently squeezing your breasts while feeding to promote milk production)
- Pumping or nursing more frequently to increase the demand and supply of breastmilk
- Feeding in a comfortable position such as the koala hold
Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid the following habits and behaviors as they can cause milk supply to drop:
- Smoking
- Wearing bras, tops, or baby slings that bind your chest too tightly
- Using allergy medications that include diphenhydramine or cetirizine
Conclusion
Brewer’s yeast can lead to an increase in milk supply because it promotes a mom’s overall well-being and health. However, it should not be considered a miracle solution to the perceived milk production level and, as such, be the only method of increasing milk supply. Instead, brewer’s yeast should be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle and other milk-enhancing practices.