This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sinai, Y. Articles by Halperin, B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sinai, Y. Articles by Halperin, B.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Infect Immun. 1974 May; 9(5): 781-787
Copyright © 1974 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Enhancement of Resistance to Infectious Diseases by Oral Administration of Brewer's Yeast

Israel Institute for Biological Research and Tel Aviv University Medical School, Ness-Ziona, Israel

ABSTRACT

The effect of oral administration of brewer's yeast on resistance to infectious diseases was studied in laboratory animals. It was shown that there was a significantly increased enhancement of resistance to seasonal respiratory and enteric infections in rhesus monkeys. Similarly, enhanced resistance to experimental chronic infections was observed in mice after yeast administration. A 2-week lag occurred between the initiation of yeast treatment and the expression of enhanced resistance. Study of the mechanism of the yeast-induced enhancement of resistance to infection leads to the conclusion that it is based on in vivo stimulation of phagocytosis, as measured by the "phagocytic index." No effect of brewer's yeast on circulating antibody levels was detected.