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Medicinal Mushrooms: The Superfood for Improved Immunity

Medicinal Mushrooms: The Superfood for Improved Immunity

Medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used for health promotion and longevity in China and other East Asian countries for thousands of years. Touted for centuries for their immune support, edible medicinal mushrooms are gaining popularity today as a superfood. Over 270 species of mushrooms are classified as having medicinal properties.

Good Medicine Choice Network’s Thomas Lewis, PhD, discusses the benefits of medicinal mushrooms with Trent Austin, MD, a medicinal mushroom expert in this Coronavirus Education podcast, “Medicinal Mushrooms as a defense against illness explained by an expert.” Dr. Austin discusses how these foods have been used to reverse adverse health conditions in therapeutic capacities and outlines the top mushrooms for immune support.

Medicinal mushrooms immune system support

The practitioners at Good Medicine Choice Network have used Immune Support Medicinal Mushroom Blend with Lion’s Mane as part of their treatment of chronically ill individuals with autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, pulmonary disease, fatigue and more.

Benefits of Edible Medicinal Mushrooms

Modern research has shown that medical mushrooms provide a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds that are associated with several health effects, including supporting the immune system. Mushrooms have antiviral, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants and vitamins, and they are low in calories. Although they’re actually fungi, mushrooms are lumped in the vegetable category for cooking purposes Fungal glycans in mushrooms have been shown in pharmacological and structural studies to support multiple health-promoting effects, including improved general immunity, anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-oxidation, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-radiation, and other effects.*

“Fundamentally, mushrooms improve general immunity by fighting off competitive microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses,” Dr. Austin said. They have proven effective at reducing levels of candida, a major contributor to gut disturbances and are used in boosting immunity in people undergoing chemotherapy.

What are the properties of Medicinal Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are a source of many nutrients, including fiber, protein, a powerful antioxidant, selenium, and potassium. They also possess a unique blend of B-vitamins, of B2, B3, B6, and even B12, which are hard to find in other plant species. B vitamins are essential for converting food into fuel and help to keep the digestive system healthy. Many mushrooms also contain vitamin C, D and E.

Edible mushrooms possess several bioactive components, such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, terpenes and polyunsaturated fatty acids, A polysaccharide commonly present in mushrooms, β-glucan, has been studied for its immune-stimulating and prebiotic properties.

A 2017 study in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition looked at different cooking methods and found that mushrooms release more of their nutrients when exposed to shorter cooking times. Check out this guide to cooking with medicinal mushrooms from the Academy of Culinary Nutrition.

Top 8 Mushrooms for Immune Support

Lions Mane

Animal models have demonstrated that lion’s mane may promote beneficial gut microbiota growth and be associated with reduced colon tissue damage in cases of inflammatory bowel disease.

Reishi Mushroom Extract

Known as the king of mushrooms, reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides that demonstrate prebiotic effects and may increase counts of beneficial bacteria. Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) has been used widely as an adjuvant to chemotherapy with anti-tumor and broad immunomodulating effects. Reishi also contains the compound triterpene, which is known for its calming properties. These mood-boosting compounds may alleviate anxiety, depression and support better sleep.

Reishi is considered to be beneficial for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and fibro myalgia.

Shittake Mushroom

A four-week clinical trial suggests that shiitake intake was associated with favorable changes in secretion patterns of various immune compounds. These changes may indicate an improvement in gut immunity and an anti-inflammatory response. Lentinan, a glucan derived from shiitake, is currently used as a complementary treatment for tumors, particularly in China and Japan.

Maitake Mushroom

Maitake mushrooms contain chemicals that might help fight tumors, stimulate the immune system, and lower blood sugar and lipid levels. Early research suggests that taking maitake mushroom polysaccharides (MMP) by mouth may lower blood sugar in people with diabetes and may help improve ovulation in women.

Oyster Mushroom

Oyster mushrooms contain significant levels of zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorous niacin, riboflavin, vitamin C, as well as folic acid, vitamin B 1 and B 2.  Oyster mushrooms also contain ergothioneine, a unique antioxidant exclusively produced by fungi. There is evidence that oyster mushrooms may improve the filtration rate in the kidneys and help regulate blood pressure.

Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushrooms have been studied on human cells in vitro as well as various animal studies. Chaga may lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and it also has blood thinning properties. In laboratory studies by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, chaga demonstrates anti-cancer activity as well as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immune-stimulating properties.

Cordyceps Powder

Cordyceps are a rare parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects only in the high-altitude region of northeast India. The remains of the insect and fungi have been hand-collected and used in traditional Chinese Medicine to treat fatigue, sickness, kidney disease and low sex drive.

Lab studies performed in animals and test tubes suggest cordyceps can reduce leukopenia, a condition that lowers white blood cell counts which can decrease the body’s defenses and increasing the risk of infection.

Turkey Tail Powder

In traditional medicine, turkey tail has been used therapeutically for fungal infections, cancer, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Potential benefits include improved immune function and anti-oxidant and anti-tumor effects.

*Disclaimer: The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes. Please consult your doctor or health practitioner for any medical advice.
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