More and more individuals are beginning to learn about the amazing health benefits nutritional yeast can provide to the body.  This powerful food contains a whole host of beneficial B-vitamins and trace minerals that can help improve the health of the body.

However, is nutritional yeast good for candida?  Since it is a yeast, will it feed candida?

In our experience, nutritional yeast is good for those with candida overgrowth and will not feed candida in the body.  It’s a vitamin and mineral rich superfood which can provide the body with natural energy and can be an excellent mood booster due to its high amounts of naturally occurring B-vitamins.

However, you will want to become more familiar with nutritional yeast before you incorporate it into you anti-candida diet.  Although nutritional yeast is well tolerated by most, there is a small percentage of individuals who may react poorly to it.  If you find you’re experiencing a negative reaction from it, simply remove it from your diet.

Nutritional Yeast a Powerful Immune Booster

Those suffering with candida overgrowth often times will suffer from a weak or dysfunctional immune system.  This often results since the body is overwhelmed with trying to fight off candida.

Luckily, nutritional yeast contains high amounts of immune boosting beta-glucans.  Beta-glucans can be obtained naturally through diet and are typically highest in both yeast and mushrooms.  They’re without question one of the most important things an individual can consume if he/she is dealing with poor immune system health.

In fact, research has confirmed that beta-glucans have a positive effect on the immune system and can help educate it so that it can operate more effectively and more efficiently (1).

These beta-glucans present in nutritional yeast can help the immune system better fend off candida in the body and can make it more difficult for this pathogenic fungus to overgrow.  Also, many find that their resistant to get sick goes up significantly after incorporating a high quality nutritional yeast product into their diet!

Will Not Feed Candida

It’s important to understand that nutritional yeast is not active.  This simply means that it has undergone a heating process which has essentially deactivated the yeast.  As a result, it’s impossible for nutritional yeast to contribute to an overgrowth of yeast in the body.

Furthermore, it does not contain sugar.  For those unaware, sugar is the main fuel source of candida in the body.  In fact, those following a high sugar and high carbohydrate diet have a tendency to be more prone to developing a candida issue in the body.

Thankfully, you can rest assure that nutritional yeast will not feed candida in the body.  That said, there is always the possibility that a small percentage of individuals may react poorly to nutritional yeast.  However, this food is typically well tolerated by most and can make a great addition to your anti-candida diet.

Full of Bioavailable B-Vitamins

As mentioned before, nutritional yeast is a powerhouse of B-vitamins.  In fact, the only B-vitamin this superfood does not contain is B12.  Although, some products will actually add B12 to the end product.  However, we recommend you stay away from such products since they have been fortified with synthetic vitamins.

Pure nutritional yeast contains high amounts of bio-available B-vitamins that are readily available to the body.  Unlike synthetic B-vitamins, the B-vitamins found in nutritional yeast are food based.  As a result, they’re much more easily absorbed by the body than the vitamins found in synthetic supplements.

It’s well known that B-vitamins can help improve energy levels, boost mood, and fight against conditions such as fatigue (2)(3).  Those suffering with a candida overgrowth have been shown to regularly suffer from conditions such as poor mental health and chronic fatigue (4)(5).

Whenever possible, always obtain your vitamins and minerals through food based items and refrain from using supplements.  It’s well known that most synthetic dietary supplements are petroleum based and are essentially toxic to the body.

Does Not Naturally Contain Vitamin B12

Despite popular belief, nutritional yeast does not contain naturally occurring vitamin B12.  If it does, this is a clear indication that the manufacturer has fortified the yeast with synthetic vitamins and minerals.

We highly urge you to stay away from such products.  The body was not designed to utilize synthetic man-made vitamins and minerals.  Also, as mentioned before, many of these synthetic vitamins are petroleum based.  For B12 needs, always choose high quality animal products which contain the highest bioavailable form of this essential vitamin.

Don’t be tricked into believing plants contain B12.  Many plant based advocates will claim that algae’s such as chlorella and spirulina contain B12.  However, this is only somewhat true; they actually contain B12 analogues which has been shown to have a negative effect on the absorption of the active and usable form of B12.

Great Source of Trace Minerals

As well as being full of essential B-vitamins, nutritional yeast also contains extremely high amounts of trace minerals.  It’s rich in zinc, copper, magnesium, and manganese.  This can be great for those suffering with candida overgrowth since mineral deficiency is a frequent problem among those suffering with this pathogenic fungus.

Furthermore, it’s well known that our soil is lacking severely in minerals.  In fact, the only nutrients that are added back to our overworked and over farmed soil is Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK).  It should be known that there are many different elements other than NPK that occur naturally in healthy soil.

As a result, food grown on NPK soil will not contain the same mineral content as good grown on healthy organic soil.  Sadly, it was known since the 1930’s that our soil was in dire need of minerals, yet, nothing was done.

That being said, nutritional yeast can serve as a natural vitamin and mineral supplement and can be great for naturally adding nutrients back into the diet.  The importance of trace minerals cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to achieving optimal health body.

Low Carbohydrate and Low Sugar Food

Those following an anti-candida diet know the importance that a low sugar and low carbohydrate diet can have on candida levels in the body.  However, for those unaware, candida is pathogenic fungus that requires sugar in order to multiply and survive in the body.  The vast majority of candida sufferers are typically coming from a diet that is high in processed foods and carbohydrates.

Luckily, nutritional yeast contains zero sugar.  In fact, it’s very low in calories and can be a great option for those looking to lose weight.  It’s very unusual to find a food that is low in calories, but jam packed with high amounts of nutrition such as nutritional yeast.

This yeast can also be great for those with blood sugar problems due to its naturally supportive B-vitamins and lack of carbohydrates that can spike glucose levels.

The Bottom Line – Should You Eat Nutritional Yeast?

In our opinion, nutritional yeast is an excellent option for those suffering with candida overgrowth.  Its high amount of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals can help support the body and immune system.  Also, its rich source of beta-glucans can make it a great option for those with a dysfunctional immune system due to candida overgrowth.

That being said, there is always the chance that a small percentage of individuals may react poorly to nutritional yeast.  If this is the case, simply remove it from the diet and look towards other foods that are better tolerated and can help support the body.

If you do choose to consume nutritional yeast, always make sure that you chose a GMO free product and one that has not been fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals.  It should be mentioned that nutritional yeast is almost always grown on sugar beets.  Unfortunately, sugar beets are one of the most genetically modified plants on the planet.

As a result, it’s imperative that you find a product that has been grown on non-GMO sugar beets and is unfortified.

Consider our Candida Diet

Although nutritional yeast can be great, following a correct anti-candida diet can do wonders for overall health of the body.  We highly urge you to visit our Candida Diet Protocol Page for a free diet plan.  Here you will find everything you need to know about diet and what foods are ACTUALLY good for candida.

Lastly, if you haven’t done so already, check out our Crush Candida Recipe Cookbook.  Our cookbook can be great for those looking for gut friendly and anti-candida meals that taste delicious!