Yeast (
Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a fungal organism that has been used for centuries for brewing beer and making wine. It is also present in the human microbiome.
A cell wall is a type of structure that surrounds certain types of cells, such as plants and fungi. The cell wall in yeast and other organisms acts as structural support and a protective layer.
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What Is Yeast Cell Wall and Why do People Use It?
Yeast Cell Wall (YCW) extract is the dried cell wall of yeast that is used as a dietary supplement for its numerous health benefits. The beta-glucans found in YCW have powerful immune-modulating effects through their ability to activate phagocytosis, an innate immune reaction responsible for destroying harmful substances.
[1]
Additionally, YCW has been shown to have powerful anti-mutagenic, antioxidant properties and gut-healing effects.
[2]
In this article, we will be looking at the guidelines, potential side effects and interactions of Yeast Cell Wall. If you are unclear about how to use YCW, i.e. when and how much to take, then keep reading!
1 How to Take Yeast Cell Wall Supplements?
Yeast Cell Wall is sold in many forms which include powder, liquid, and capsules. Our Liftmode YCW is sold as capsules for quick and easy use.
YCW does not interfere with sleep and therefore can be taken anytime during the day. As YCW may cause gas and bloating, consuming it with food may reduce these side effects.
2. How Much Yeast Cell Wall to Take?
In terms of dosage, there is no globally recommended or standardized dose for Yeast Cell Wall.
However, several animal studies have found that YCW in doses of 400 mg/kg
[3] to 1000 mg/kg to be safe for a duration of 42 days. However, since these studies are based on animal models, further human research is required to determine adequate dosing.
[4]
LiftMode recommends a serving of 2000 mg.
3. Yeast Cell Wall Side Effects: Safety First!
Yeast Cell Wall is considered safe in healthy adults.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the fungi from which Yeast Cell Wall extract is derived, is a commensal organism commonly found in the human oral and gut microbiome, and is generally well-tolerated and safe for adults.
However, there have been some reported cases in which Yeast Cell Wall supplements have caused adverse effects. Some of these include mild side effects such as bloating, diarrhea and itching to more serious allergic reactions such as shortness of breath or chest pain. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Yeast Cell Wall, discontinue use and contact your primary care provider immediately.
Furthermore, adverse effects have been reported in cases of immunosuppression and cardiovascular disease. A subspecies of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the species from which Yeast Cell Wall is extracted, known as
S. boulardii has been shown to become pathogenic, which may lead to fungaemia in immunocompromised individuals.
If you are under any medication or suffer from a health condition, please consult your doctor before taking this product.
[5] [6]
Presently, there isn’t enough information regarding the safety of Yeast Cell Wall for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and therefore should be avoided.
4. Are There Any Yeast Cell Wall Interactions?
The following is a list of the currently known interactions of Yeast Cell Wall. If you are taking
any other medication as well, please speak to your doctor before using Yeast Cell Wall:
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Yeast Cell Wall may interact with MAOIs. Tyramine is a compound present in certain aged foods like cheese and Brewer’s Yeast (i.e. YCW). Tyramine is usually metabolized and eliminated from the body. In excessive amounts, tyramine can cause high blood pressure.
MAOIs, which are a type of antidepressant prevents the body from breaking down tyramine. Combining MAOIs with Yeast Cell Wall may cause high blood pressure. To be safe side, avoid taking Yeast Cell Wall if you are taking MAOIs. Some common MAOIs include tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline, isocarboxazid, and phenelzine (Nardil). [
[7]]
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Diabetes Medications: Brewer’s yeast containing chromium may have an impact on blood sugar levels. Combining diabetic medications and brewer’s yeast may decrease blood sugar levels to a lower than optimal level, and may cause hypoglycemia. Do not take this product if you are taking diabetes medications.
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Conclusion: How to Use Yeast Cell Wall
In summary, Yeast Cell Wall is a well-tolerated supplement in healthy adults. It is great to boost immune and gut health and has shown to have powerful antioxidant effects. YCW can be taken at any time of the day as it does not affect your sleep.
YCW may have interactions with certain medications, particularly antidepressants and diabetes medications. Yeast Cell Wall should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by individuals with underlying conditions. There is no standard recommended dosage for YCW and only animal studies have indicated safe doses. Please consult your doctor for appropriate dosing.
References
[1] Jensen GS, Redman KA, Benson KF, et al. Antioxidant bioavailability and rapid immune-modulating effects after consumption of a single acute dose of a high-metabolite yeast immunogen: results of a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover pilot study. J Med Food. 2011;14(9):1002-1010. doi:10.1089/jmf.2010.0174
[2] Machová E, Bystrický S. Antioxidant capacities of mannans and glucans are related to their susceptibility of free radical degradation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2013;61:308-311. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2013.07.016
[3] Ghosh TK, Haldar S, Bedford MR, Muthusami N, Samanta I. Assessment of yeast cell wall as replacements for antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets: effects on performance, intestinal histo-morphology and humoral immune responses. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2012 Apr;96(2):275-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01155.x. Epub 2011 Apr 30. PMID: 21535233.
[4] B. Almeida, A. Silva, A. Mesquita, B. Sampaio-Marques, F. Rodrigues, P. Ludovico, Drug-induced apoptosis in yeast, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research, Volume 1783, Issue 7, 2008, Pages 1436-1448, ISSN 0167 4889,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2008.01.005.
[5] Muñoz P, Bouza E, Cuenca-Estrella M, et al. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungemia: an emerging infectious disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;40(11):1625-1634. doi:10.1086/429916
[6] Raoul Herbrecht, Yasmine Nivoix, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fungemia: An Adverse Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii Probiotic Administration, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 40, Issue 11, 1 June 2005, Pages 1635–1637, https://doi.org/10.1086/429926
[7] Garcia E, Santos C. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Toxicity. [Updated 2020 Nov 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459386/
