The benefits of brewer's yeast for hair

Brewer's yeast is made up of a group of microscopic single-celled fungi (called Saccharomyces cerevisiae). These microorganisms are traditionally used to ferment malt and hops during the beer-making process, which is why brewer's yeast takes its name from them.

Brewer's yeast is rich in:

• Protein (25 to 40 g, containing the 8 amino acids essential for the body)

• Group B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, B12)

• Vitamin E

• Minerals and trace elements: Copper, Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Chromium

• Fibre (25%)

Brewer's yeast comes in two forms:

• Active (or revivifiable) brewer's yeast: obtained after drying at low temperature (less than 40°C) to "put into dormancy" to keep the living microorganisms intact. They are revived on contact with water. This form is essentially useful as a probiotic for the intestinal flora under the name Saccharomyces boulardii.

• Inactive (or non-living) brewer's yeast: obtained after drying at temperatures above 40°C, the microorganisms are deactivated but retain their nutritional richness. This is the form used in food supplements for hair health.

Our Aroma-Zone brewer's yeast is combined with selenium and enriched with B vitamins to optimise its effectiveness and benefits for your hair (not forgetting your skin and nails).

Our brewer's yeast is organic and made in France.

The selenium we have chosen (L-selenomethionine), with a bioavailability of over 90%, is the form best absorbed by the body. Its powerful antioxidants protect your hair from premature ageing and daily pollutants (air pollution, tobacco, UV rays, heat, etc.).

Two capsules a day cover the recommended daily allowance of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, and B12 and selenium, providing the nutrients you need to strengthen your hair, ensuring its health.

We recommend taking 1-2 capsules a day as part of a 2-3 month course of treatment.

Brewer's yeast has many benefits for your hair:

Strengthens and improves hair quality

Your hair is made up mainly (95%) of a fibrous protein called keratin, which gives it strength, coating, moisture, shine and protection. If your hair lacks keratin, it becomes brittle, thin, limp and weak. The amino acids, vitamins and minerals in brewer's yeast help your body's keratinocytes (cells) to synthesise keratin. The high levels of B vitamins, vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium and sulphur amino acids (proteins) in brewer's yeast help to boost your hair's health by stimulating keratinisation. Your hair fibre is smoothed, strengthened and protected.

To find out more: What can I do about damaged hair?

Stimulates growth, slows hair loss

The Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin E contained in brewer's yeast are involved in the growth of healthy hair. They also protect the scalp cells, and therefore the hair roots, from inflammation. B vitamins, by helping to boost keratin production, help your hair to grow strong and healthy. Vitamin B8 (known as Biotin), for example, activates growth. A deficiency in biotin can lead to hair loss. Vitamin B9 (also known as folate or folic acid in its synthesised form) helps oxygenate and nourish your hair.

Zinc and vitamin B6 from brewer's yeast help inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the scalp enzyme involved in hair loss and excess sebum (hyperseborrhoea), particularly in androgenetic alopecia. Vitamins B1, B2 and B9 contribute to cell regeneration, helping to promote healthy hair growth.

To find out more, see: How to combat seasonal hair loss and How can I prevent hair loss?

Reinforces hair protection

By encouraging the production of keratin around your hair fibre, brewer's yeast helps to make your hair stronger and more resistant to the minor external stresses of everyday life (such as cold temperatures, UV rays, heated styling appliances, salt or chlorinated water, pollution, etc.).

The antioxidants it contains, such as Selenium and Copper, help to protect your scalp cells from free radicals and prevent premature ageing. The B vitamins and trace elements in brewer's yeast nourish the hair follicle for supple, strong, dense, resistant and healthy hair.

Promotes shiny, lustrous hair

The B vitamins in brewer's yeast help to synthesise keratin, making your hair luminous and radiant. They also support the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for your hair colour. As the concentration of melanin increases, the colour of your hair becomes more intense, brighter and more luminous.

The composition of brewer's yeast also helps to keep your hair hydrated, so it looks healthier and more radiant. The antioxidants in brewer's yeast help to keep your hair shiny by fighting the free radicals responsible for dull, dry hair.

To find out more, see: How to make your hair shiny and How to moisturise your hair naturally?

Relieves scalp irritation

Brewer's yeast soothes irritated, dry or oily scalps. It regulates the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, soothes itching and protects scalp cells against everyday aggressions and ageing.

All these properties make brewer's yeast a leading food supplement for beautiful, luminous, protected and healthy hair, as well as for preventing hair loss.

To find out more, see: How to get rid of greasy hair, How to get rid of dandruff and How to relieve seborrhoeic dermatitis?

Brewer's yeast can benefit your hair at different times. As a food supplement, it can be taken regularly according to the label to maintain the long-term health of your hair.

However, if you're looking for an intensive treatment, you can incorporate it into a homemade hair mask. Use it when your hair needs a boost of shine.

• A brewer's yeast mask can be applied once a week or as required. Feel free to enrich it by adding other beneficial ingredients, such as Castor oil or Ylang-Ylang essential oil, for even better results.

• You can also make a shampoo with water, lemon and brewer's yeast powder, or prepare a hair rinse by infusing two tablespoons of brewer's yeast in hot water and pouring it over your hair once it has cooled.

Brewer's yeast helps to improve the overall condition of your hair by strengthening its resistance, health, vitality and shine. It prevents hair loss and supports the growth of healthy hair. Its concentration of vitamins, trace elements and minerals helps to nourish, protect and oxygenate the cells of your scalp, slowing their premature ageing and supporting their function. Keratin synthesis is optimised, and your hair grows faster and stronger.

Our advice: moderate hair loss is a normal process. But when it intensifies, we suggest you look for the causes, which may be linked to stress, fatigue, sudden changes in temperature, nutritional deficiencies, or certain medical conditions. Don't hesitate to consult your doctor, who will help you find solutions.

To find out more, see: How to make your fair grow faster?

You can use brewer's yeast to enhance your hair:

1. As a treatment (for internal use)

in capsule, powder, flake or tablet form. With the Aroma-Zone enriched brewer's yeast food supplement, we advise you to consume brewer's yeast daily as a two to three month course of treatment, at a rate of 1-2 capsules a day, to be taken with water. After three months, we recommend that you take a break for at least three months before starting a new course of treatment. Dosage varies from one product to another, depending on the concentration of brewer's yeast per capsule or tablet. Please refer to the instructions on your product label.

For brewer's yeast flakes or powders, you can sprinkle 2-3 teaspoons a day in your dishes, on raw or cooked vegetables, or in yoghurt. Use for a maximum of three months, spacing out your three-month courses of treatment.

To find out more, see: Why and how to do a hair cure?

2. As a hair mask (for external use)

You can make your own homemade hair mask using brewer's yeast to give your hair a boost of shine. To do this, dilute two tablespoons of powdered brewer's yeast (active or not) in a little warm water and mix until you obtain a smooth paste. Apply this mixture to wet hair, massaging gently into the scalp with your fingertips in small circular motions. Leave on for around 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. You can also combine this mask with other healthy ingredients for your hair, such as a teaspoon of Castor oil or a drop of Ylang-Ylang essential oil, for example. To find out more, read the articles: Our 10 homemade hair masks and Castor oil and hair.

Brewer's yeast is naturally rich in B vitamins, proteins, minerals and essential amino acids. These nutrients can contribute to healthy hair by promoting growth and overall appearance. However, as with any food supplement, it is essential to respect the recommended doses to avoid any nutritional imbalance and therefore significant weight gain. Dosage varies depending on the product you're using, so make sure you carefully follow the instructions on the label.

If you have specific concerns about weight gain, it is always advisable to consult a health professional for personalised advice.

Brewer's yeast can cause stomach upsets, bloating and flatulence.

We do not recommend brewer's yeast for people who with allergies, are immunocompromised (undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment), have a central catheter, suffer from coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or are taking antidepressants or painkillers.

As a precaution, brewer's yeast is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If you have any doubts, ask your doctor for advice.

Stéphanie Catrysse - Naturopath (FENA-certified), well-being massage and lymphatic drainage practitioner and personal development consultant.

She takes a holistic approach to health and is passionate about alternative medicine.