The Effects of Various Vitamin Supplements and of Whole Yeast on the Digestion and Absorption of the Carbohydrate of a Complete Diet

Abstract

The effects of various vitamin supplements and of whole yeast on digestion and absorption were studied in dogs with jejunostomies. It was found that fresh yeast has a distinctly stimulatory effect on gastrointestinal motility, which is largely local in nature, and probably due to the presence of live yeast in the gastrointestinal tract. The increased motility is often but not always accompanied by increased rates of digestion and absorption of carbohydrate. Dried yeast and a 50% alcohol-soluble extract of this material have no effect on motility but increase the rates of digestion and absorption by about 20%. Supplementing an already adequate basal diet with additional amounts of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine has no effect on gastrointestinal tract measurable by the technic employed. Evidence is presented indicating that crystalline pantothenic acid may be responsible for at least part of the yeast effect.