Nutritional yeast is a complete protein that contains eighteen amino acids and fifteen minerals and is a stellar source of the B vitamins that are so necessary in both phases of a milk thistle liver detox. Vitamin B1 helps decrease the effects of alcohol, smoking and heavy metal toxicity.
Vitamin B2 is used in the production of glutathione. Vitamin B3 is used in phase 1 detoxification. Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, helps detoxify acetaldehyde produced from alcohol and by Candida overgrowth. This wonder yeast is one of the great liver detox foods and also includes vitamin B12. Because vegetarians aren’t getting this crucial element in meat, they need to make sure they get it another way – and yeast is a terrific alternative.
Nutritional yeast is not to be confused with the old-time brewer’s yeast, a by-product of the process of making beer. Brewer’s yeast is very bitter and contains wild yeast strains from the brewing process. It also tends to encourage Candida and yeast overgrowth.
Nutritional yeast, by contrast, is a primary product grown on strains of mineral-rich molasses or cereal by-products. The best kind is grown on molasses or maple syrup, because the yeast absorbs the minerals from its host, making it perhaps the best natural food form of minerals available for humans. It’s pasteurized to avoid the use of living yeast, so, unlike brewer s yeast, it won’t give you gas or lead to bloating. It also won’t encourage Candida or other yeast-related problems.
Tips: You can use a tablespoon or two of the nutritional yeast flakes in tomato sauces and soups, dust it on popcorn, or stir a spoonful into sauces or gravies. When I’m feeling depleted, I like to take some nutritional yeast between meals for a quick get-up-and-go – a pick-me-up that’s especially useful for people trying to stop drinking coffee or to avoid a sugar crash. The nutty flavor of the yeast flakes actually tastes pretty good when you mix a tablespoon or two into a glass of water; and I guarantee you’ll get a boost of energy within 10 minutes. Or take some nutritional yeast right before a meal to take the edge off of your appetite.