4 ms·

It is amazing that we have so good knowledge over what the body needs that one can live on just water, yeast and multivitamins for a year. But why the yeast?

• fractallyte 9y ago
  It wouldn't have been live yeast - probably powdered brewer's yeast. Rich in B vitamins, trace minerals, protein, dietary fiber. I'm guessing it's to 'fill in the gaps' in the multivitamin regime, which can't be assumed to be complete.
• tristanj 9y ago
  The paper does not say, however I did find a source speculating why: The reason doctors administered yeast is simple – it was his only source of protein, and without it, the body starts eating its own muscle tissue. Without any form of protein at all, the man would not be able to "direct" his body to consume his vast amounts of body fat as fuel, and would die within weeks. Just two tablespoons of nutritional yeast[1] provides a person with 60 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 9 grams of protein – including all nine amino acids, which the human body cannot produce on its own. Seems like nutritional yeast is a convenient source for essential amino acids. [0] https://coach.nine.com.au/2016/04/06/17/01/the-mystery-behind-the-207kg-scotsman-who-fasted-for-over-a-year https://coach.nine.com.au/2016/04/06/17/01/the-mystery-behin... [1] http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/1323565/2 http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/1323565/2