Brewers Yeast for Breastfeeding: Is It Effective?

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For nursing mothers, the health and well-being of their newborns are paramount concerns. Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits to both mother and child, including essential nutrients, immune system support, and bonding opportunities. However, some mothers may encounter challenges with milk supply or nutrient intake during breastfeeding. In recent years, brewers yeast has gained attention as a potential supplement to support lactation and maternal health. Derived from the same organism used to ferment beer, brewers yeast offers a range of nutrients and health benefits that may aid breastfeeding mothers. In this introduction, we will explore the potential benefits of brewers yeast for breastfeeding mothers, its nutritional composition, and considerations for its safe and effective use.

brewers yeast

In This Article:

A Guide for Using Brewers Yeast for Breastfeeding

What is Brewer’s Yeast?

Brewer’s yeast is a fungus and is predominantly used in the brewing of alcoholic beverages. Brewer’s yeast is also used in making bread, although it is different from baker’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is quite popularly used as a nutritional supplement and is also an excellent source of B-complex vitamins.

Brewer’s yeast has long been touted as a galactagogue, which is a type of food, herb or medication that increases and improves milk production in nursing mothers, but the benefits are yet to be scientifically proven. While the yeast’s milk-stimulant properties have been unreliable, lactating mothers can use brewer’s yeast as milk stimulant (after doctor consultation, of course). Do keep in mind that the effects of this yeast may vary from person to person.

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What are the Benefits of Consuming Brewer’s Yeast for Milk Production?

Brewer’s yeast is an excellent source of vitamins and micronutrients, which ultimately prevent deficiency diseases. It is also a good source of protein for those who need it in large quantities (it has 52% protein content). Brewer’s yeast is known to improve some ailments like acne. Brewer’s yeast can also help those diagnosed with diabetes by improving glucose tolerance.

This yeast is also a rich source of:

  • protein
  • B vitamins
  • iron
  • trace minerals

In addition to this, there are a wide variety of ways to include controlled amounts of Brewer’s yeast in a tasty and fulfilling manner with your meals, such as in cookies, smoothies and pancakes.

The benefits of brewer’s yeast as a galactagogue could be unresolved, but it still works great as a nutritional supplement. Mothers have been using the yeast to improve breast milk supply, and there is no harm trying it out. Consult a doctor before trying brewer’s yeast. If it works for you, then you can make it a part of your daily healthy diet.

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How can I Consume Brewer’s Yeast for Lactation?

Health experts recommended that three tablespoons of brewer’s yeast a day are ideal for lactation. If you do not see any improvement in your breast milk production, then you can increase the quantity by half a teaspoon per day. If you do not see any improvement in your breast milk even after several weeks of consumption, then it is best to stop and consult a doctor.

Brewer’s yeast is available in the form of tablets and powder. You can add the recommended quantities of the powder by adding it to preparations like cookies or have it dissolved in water.

Note that there is no fixed dosage for Brewer’s Yeast tablets since the content of the yeast in a tablet varies. This is all depending on the manufacturer and thus the dosage can go as much as eight tablets a day.

What are the Side Effects of Brewer’s Yeast?

Some individuals could have an allergic reaction to brewer’s yeast. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction include nausea, vomiting, skin hives with intense itching and varying degrees of abdominal pain. You may also encounter other side effects such as headaches, bloating of the stomach, acidity and flatulence. Severe allergic reactions can cause anaphylactic shock, where the immune system floods the body with chemicals, an increase in blood pressure and narrowing air passages where breathing becomes difficult.

It is not known if brewer’s yeast is safe when you are breastfeeding since there is insufficient scientific research about it. Medical experts suggest that lactating mothers consult a specialist before consuming brewer’s yeast to improve milk production.

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