Find health with great-tasting nutritional yeast

Friday, October 21, 2011 by: Duke Mansell
Tags: nutritional yeast, superfood, health news

(NewsTarget) Yeast has a long history of use by society dating back as early as the ancient Egyptians and possibly earlier. Yeast was initially used to produce breads and alcohol; it was most likely discovered by accident and considered magical in its process. Not until Pasteur and the advent of the microscope was it determined to be a living organism. Today yeast has many different uses, and fermentation has been adopted across a wide variety of foods to extend shelf live and unlock nutrients from food: nutritional yeast being one of these foods.

Mention the words yeast and everyone runs for fear that it will produce the terrible yeast condition known as Candida. Yeast is found in the air and soil, in our body, on our skin and in our mouths and digestive tract; yeast is everywhere. Nutritional yeast causing Candida is a blatant falsehood, and the misconception causes many to forgo what is a great gift to nutrition in a person's diet. Most notably nutritional yeast provides almost all the B vitamins. B vitamins are essential for releasing energy from food, supporting metabolism and the immune system, assisting in cell growth and division and reducing certain cancers. Since B vitamins are water soluble, the body constantly needs to replenish through dietary means.

Nutritional yeast is grown on either cane sugar or molasses and is then deactivated for human consumption. Although it is from the same species of yeast used to create many beers and breads, it is prepared differently in order to provide a more nutrient dense food. Because it is deactivated, it does not provide the same effects that it would in beer or bread. Nutritional yeast is pasteurized and then dried.

Many sources will claim you get more B vitamins you need from diet. In today's toxic world where nutritional deficiencies are becoming the norm it is foolhardy to assume you get the optimal amount of any nutrient in quantities that will assist your body in healing and preventing disease, especially from vitamins posing little risk of toxicity like the B vitamins. Nutritional yeast is also a complete protein containing all 18 amino acids and in significant quantities, approximately 6 grams per quarter cup. Vegans and vegetarians utilize this yeast to obtain needed B vitamins. It is low in fat and sodium with a nice cheesy/nutty flavor, plus it contains 15 minerals. Nutritional yeast also contains a hefty amount of dietary fiber with approximately 3 grams per quarter cup.

Adding nutritional yeast to soups, sauces, pastas, pizza, popcorn and any other meal that could utilize a cheesy flavor is a great way to add nutrients to the diet. With dairy being a concern for many people today unless it is raw and organic, nutritional yeast is an easy way to get a similar flavor without the concern.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_vitamins

http://allthewayfitness.blogspot.com/2011/10...

http://vegetarian.lovetoknow.com/Cane_Sugar_...

About the author

Duke Mansell is a personal trainer who maintains AlltheWayFitness.com, a website devoted to optimal health through functional physical training and organic living. Duke Mansell is a researcher of health and wellness. His client training emphasizes a whole foods approach to weight loss and fitness and utilizes functional training. Duke Mansell is a student of applied kinesiology, trained in muscle testing to address body issues from hormone disfunction to leaky gut. Duke Mansell is also completing a BA and Masters in acupuncture and medicinal herbs.