The Benefits of Eating ‘Nooch’ for Multiple Sclerosis

Gold Dust: Flavour, Protein, Antioxidants, and a Powerhouse of B Vitamins

I had never heard of nutritional yeast until 2017. The term nooch’? I thought that was a cute shortening of ‘new cheese’.

As a person whose had multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1998, one thing has become very clear. Dietary choices play a crucial role in managing and eliminating symptoms. 

These days, nooch stands out as a versatile and delicious pantry item my whole family devours, even the members who are not vegetarian or vegan, which is all of them.

What is nutritional yeast, this ‘nooch’ of which you speak?

Let’s just get one thing straight. Nutritional yeast will not cause a yeast infection. This is inactive yeast and designed to be a food. Or a condiment, specifically.

I admit I was suspicious at first. It looked weird. But I tried a little. Then a little more. Soon enough I was hooked on nooch’s savoury, ‘bag of Twisties’ flavour.

Although it’s often referred to as ‘nooch’ among enthusiasts, I also call it ‘gold dust’. 

The incomparable B12: Good for your central nervous system

If you experience fatigue (and most people with MS do), B12 can help.

Did you know the symptoms of a deficiency in B12 are strikingly similar to those of multiple sclerosis?

B12 plays a role in red blood cell formation. which are needed to transport oxygen around the body. Without enough, we get fatigue and weakness.

 B12 is necessary for the maintenance of the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve fibres. You already know this, but the myelin sheath aids the transmission of nerve impulses. Proper nerve function is essential for coordination, reflexes, and overall energy levels. 

Inadequate B12 can lead to nerve damage and neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness. 

Did you read that? Numbness, tingling. Weakness. 

That’s not all, a deficiency of B12 can also lead to sensory disturbances that are alarmingly similar to MS, like Lhermitte’s sign. This is when you tip your head forward, and electricity runs through your body like you’re a conduit for lightning, and finishes by buzzing in your fingertips. (I had that for about two decades.)

So there’s reason enough to eat nooch. For the b12, which is essential to the function, development, and myelination of our central nervous systems. (That’s why I call it the gold dust).

Now B12 is in many foods naturally, but these are on the vegan ‘eat never’ list. There are exceptions, however. Mushrooms, especially shiitake contain some B12, as do fortified plant milk, fortified cereals, yoghurts, and eggs.

Rich in Other B Vitamins

Beyond vitamin B12, nutritional yeast is an excellent source of other B vitamins.  such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), and folate (B9). 

These vitamins ALL play vital roles in energy metabolism, nervous system function, and red blood cell production. 

B1 especially good for cog fog (cognitive fatigue). A recent study of thiamine also showed particular beneficial effects of slowing neurodegeneration. 

[As a side note, my father-in-law, John Earl, was a biochemist who deeply respected Australia’s first people. He couldn’t understand how the pioneers Burke and Wills died of starvation when they were surrounded by food. His research led him to discover that they had poisoned themselves by failing to adequately prepare the nardoo plant as instructed by the Yandruwandha people, causing them to suffer beriberi, which caused a deficiency of thiamine, aka vitamin B1. The lessons are clear: You need B1. And respect your Elders.]

The B family of vitamins is essential for our bodies to make energy by breaking down the food we eat into smaller molecules. You might know their names from TV commercials promoting fortified breakfast cereals.

The B family of vitamins break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and convert them into a form of energy called ATP through a series of chemical reactions inside our cells. Vitamin b2 is riboflavin, b3 is niacin. B9 is folate.

Vitamins B6 (Pyridoxine) supports our nervous and immune systems. B6 also helps the body regulate the levels of homocysteine in the blood, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Nooch is a complete protein

As a vegetarian who doesn’t eat dairy, you may falsely surmise that I don’t get enough complete protein. With respect, you would be wrong.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Not only is nooch fingerlickin’ good, but it’s a complete protein source, providing all nine essential amino acids crucial for muscle repair and immune function. 

Two tablespoons will deliver about 10g of protein. This depends a bit on the brand, but that’s not bad for a condiment.

Supports Immune Function

Remember the article about rolled oats and their beta-glucans?

The beta-glucans also found in nutritional yeast have been studied for their immune-supporting properties. 

These darling little foot soldiers enhance the body’s defense against infections and potentially modulate inflammatory responses. They say, ‘calm down, Donald. No need to hit the nuke button’.

Given that MS involves immune system dysregulation and inflammation, incorporating immune-supporting foods like nutritional yeast helps manage symptoms and dampen any pro-inflammatory ‘we’re going to war’ bellicose tendencies.

Powerful antioxidants

It’s not science fiction, but inner-corporeal warfare.

Nooch contains powerful antioxidants (the good guys) that protect you from cell damage caused by free radicals. These are the bad guys.

Molecules usually have an even number of electrons. Free radicals have an odd number, go rogue, and start stealing them wherever they can.

An antioxidant also have an uneven number of electrons but they’re not hell-bent on doing damage. They neutralise the threat of free radicals by kindly sharing an electron of their own. This creates calm. See, kindness is powerful.

These antioxidants also clear heavy metals, and help eliminate environmental toxins from the body.

The problem with not reigning in the tyranny of free radicals with soothing food and drinks (green tea, I’m thinking of you), is that when free radicals rob other molecules it makes them unstable too.

A buildup of free radicals has been linked to autoimmune diseases like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as cancers.

Enhances Flavor and Versatility

I asked Chat-GPT for some recipes using nooch. It spat out loads. It also showed me how to make my own ‘cheese’.

There’s a recipe at the end. So, if cheese is your jam, nooch is your new best friend.

To me, the recipe doesn’t sound much like cheese, and that’s not a bad thing.

I just like my nooch as a snack, shaken over popcorn glistening with olive oil.  

What’s for afternoon tea? Kale or popcorn and nooch.

In fact, if we’re out of bread at home and the kids need something filling in their lunchboxes, popcorn with nooch will do the trick.

It sounds like bad parenting, but no shame! I know popcorn is a hundred times better than a bag of crisps.

How to Make Noocheese

(My recipe co-created with AI) 

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 2-4 hours and drained
2. 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
3. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
4. 1 clove garlic, minced (optional, for added flavor)
5. 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
6. Water, as needed for blending

Instructions:

Place the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, minced garlic (if using), and salt in a food processor or high-speed blender.

Blend on high until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach the desired consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning as desired, adding more salt or lemon juice if needed.

Transfer the cashew cheese to a container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up and develop flavors.

Enjoy the noocheese as a spread on crackers or bread, or as a dip or sauce for pasta. Viola.

Sweeping up the Gold Dust

To wrap (or sweep) this up, the gold dust that is nutritional yeast or ‘nooch’ provides essential nutrients for people with MS. These are vitamin B12, other B vitamins that create energy through a complex cascade, supporting nerve health, immune function, gut health, and powerful antioxidants to fight free radicals.

There are also other benefits for your whole family.

Its versatility in cooking makes it a stalwart pantry staple. There’s no need to be without cheese-like flavours even without the cow. And there is no compromise on taste or satisfaction.

Just two teaspoons will deliver these nutritional benefits:

• Calories: 20
• Protein: 3 grams
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbs: 2 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams
• Fiber: 4% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 246% of the DV
• Niacin (vitamin B3): 109% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 212% of the DV
• Folate (vitamin B9): 59% of the DV
• Vitamin B12: 313% of the DV
• Iron: 2% of the DV
• Potassium: 2% of the DV

Be aware that each brand is different. Some are fortified, and others are not. My recommended serving size is double this. It’s so delicious, you’ll be hard to resist.

Of course, if you feel very fatigued or unwell, please see your doctor. I recommend getting some blood work done to check your levels of B vitamins including B12, as well as iron, calcium, protein, cholesterol, and anything else your healthcare specialist advises.

Be well XO