In this blog post which will be longer then usual. It will instill the health benefits of the mushroom. Just not any ole’ mushroom…. so don’t go out in the nearest woods and start hunting them. If you don’t know the science of them some just might kill you… pick your poison which can be similiar to a candy bar.
Medicinal mushrooms have the potential as anti viral, anti microbial, anti inflammatory, anti hyperglycemic, some possess anti cariogenic properties with cardio protective activity. While in China alone, there are more than 270 different varieties of mushrooms used for medical treatments believed to stifle cancer metastasis. Vitamin D Content!!!!
By actively researching the chemical properties of the mushroom… evidence supports the conclusion that mushrooms should be on the cutting edge agenda of cancer prevention. Certainly they should be in your diet, especially if you can afford some of the more exotic Asian Mushrooms. Such as, the Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi, Cordyceps and A.B.M.
The initial research done on the Maitake Mushroom was done by the Japanese scientist Dr. Hiroaki Nanba PH.D. It showed the maitake, not only, stimulates immune function, but also, inhibit tumor growth. With the crucial compound in this big mountain delicency being polysaccharides…. with one in particular beta-glucans.
In 1986, Dr. Nanba conducted experiments on mice injected with tumor cells. Some of these mice were given powered maitake mushroom and the other group received shittake mushroom. While the maitake group held a 86.3% inhibtion rate the shittake group had a 77.9% inhibition rate. The fact that maitake mushroom is apparently the most powerful immune system stimulate is interesting.
Three different anti cancer drugs have already been extracted from other mushrooms and approved by the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry that is equilavent of the U.S. Drug Administration [FDA]. They are lentinans, derived from shittake; schizophyllan, which are derived from suchurotake; and PSK that are derived from kawaratake.
Another Japanese researcher Kyoke Adachi has studied the actions of beta glucans and concluded that polysacharides, not only, activates members of the immune system, but also, potentiate the activity of various mediators of the immune system, such as, lymphokine and interleukin-1. Interleukin-1 causes cells to produce interleukin-2 which in turns causes T-cells to rapidly increase, in fact, interleukin-2 has been called T-cell growth factor.
Much like the interleukins-1-2 play into the straightening of the immune system from maitake mushroom. With the lentinans boosting interleukin-1 levels thereby increasing the cytotoxic activity (cell-destroying) activity of the macrophages of the immune system. Shiitake has twice the fiber and protein of the typical supermarket mushroom.
There have been reports that scientist at Semmelweis Medical University in Budapest, Hungary have found that lentinans can modify cells that resist the metastasis of lung cancer cells. Finally like maitake, but to a lesser extent shiitake has inhibited mice tumor growth.
The third mushroom from Asia being used as a powerhouse to build immune response and to fight cancer is Reishi Mushroom. While having it’s own set of polysaccharides it to has an intriquing but unconfirmed reports of positive effects on cancer patients.
Another mushroom gaining attention from the high attitude Himalaya’s from 21,000 feet are the Cordyceps. It’s in this part of the world where Mt. Everest rines supreme at 29,028 feet the cordyceps aren’t far below it’s status of a powerful influence over how the mountain people live. When the mountaineers walk the side of the mountain allowing there “yaks” or Bos Grunnies to feed on these mushrooms.
What they notice from these large bovine mammals “yak” in these high altitude less dense atomisphere are a more forceful energy driven animal from the mighty power plant they just consume from. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Cordyceps are believed to nourish the yin, boost the yang and invigorate the meridans of the lungs and kidney’s.
The last medicinal mushroom to look at was discovered near Sao Paulo in Brazil by Takatoshi Fierumoto. His research revealed that the healthy state of the people of the District of Piedale, was due in part to their frequent consumption of the Agaricus Blazei Murrill (ABM) mushroom.
ABM mushroom contain large quantities of beta glucans which enhances the immune system. By partaking of the ABM mushroom the immune cells can revitalize the healing power which can lead to apoptosis (program cell death of cancer cells.) This is one reason “why” our attention is towards more focus on the ABM mushroom.
HOT TIP #8 for July: Medicinal mushroom are chalk full of vital nutrients that prevent cancer. Mushrooms provide a splendid garnishment to any meal. While having a robust content of B vitamins, vitamin D, as well as, calcium & phosphorus relationship and potassium. This isn’t to mention the important mineral selenium!!!!! and it’s always best to get nutrients from ones diet versus supplementation and knowing what works best.