Effect of high-chromium brewer's yeast on human serum lipids

A group of 11 normolipidemic and a group of 16 hyperlipidemic adult subjects were given orally 20 gm daily of a high-chromium brewer's yeast (2.4 micrograms Cr+++/gm, ie, 48 micrograms Cr+++ daily) for 8 weeks. A significant decrease in total cholesterol in both groups of subjects was observed (24-26 mg/dl). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased (5-6 mg/dl) in normo- and hyperlipidemic subjects by brewer's yeast supplementation. However, following supplementation, the triglyceride blood levels were not changed in either the normo- or hyperlipidemic group. When the multiple complex risk factor (total cholesterol/HDL-C) was calculated, 84% of all subjects receiving brewer's yeast showed a decrease in this ratio, and the mean decrease in this ratio in all subjects was significant at P less than 0.01. A second group of 19 normolipidemic, predominantly male, adult subjects was given orally 10 gm of a high-chromium brewer's yeast (2.4 micrograms/gm, ie, 24 micrograms Cr+++ daily) for 8 weeks. The total circulating serum cholesterol was significantly decreased by a modest amount in this group after supplementation. The HDL-C levels were significantly increased (4 mg/dl). The total cholesterol/HDL ratio was decreased in 79% of the subjects, and the mean TC/HDL-C decrease of the entire group was significant at P less than 0.01.