A mushroom’s DNA is more similar to ours than plant DNA, mushrooms actually breathe Oxygen and give off Carbon Dioxide. Fungi are the cleansers of the Earth that transform dead organic matter into nutrients that plants and animals can feed on.
Egyptian hieroglyphics show the pharaohs of 4,600 years ago believed the mushroom to be the “plant of immortality”. Although past research has come primarily from Asian and Russian scientists, Western scientists are now looking more closely at the benefits of mushrooms. Different species of mushrooms have different medicinal properties, but they all have one thing in common: They are composed of polysaccharides, long chain molecules that have bound together to form Beta Glucan (B-glucan). Beta Glucan STIMULATES/BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, especially good for respiratory infections. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836215/ (This review summarizes the latest findings on biological and health-promoting potential of mushroom beta-glucans for the treatment of civilization and viral diseases, with particular emphasis on COVID-19.)
Certain mushrooms can also REGULATE the immune system – they balance the immune response by either lowering the production of white blood cells when the system is overactive (like autoimmune diseases) or increasing production when it is underactive. Three well known medicinal mushrooms that are considered adaptogens (balancing) are Reishi, Shitake, and Maitake. In addition, mushrooms are a great prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria needed for digestion.
“IMMUNITY” has become a worldwide buzz word since Covid emerged. The best way to increase one’s NATURAL IMMUNITY is by:
1. Manage stress
2. Eat well balanced whole foods, fruits and veggies
3. Eat mushrooms regularly
4. Vitamin D 5,000 iu/day
5. Exercise
If you don’t like mushrooms, or at least not enough to eat DAILY, the following would be a good supplement and comes in a powder or a capsule:
https://www.vitacost.com/om-organic-mushroom-superfood-powder-master-blend
There are many studies showing much better outcomes when conventional cancer treatment is combined with the use of medicinal mushrooms. In fact, in Asia and Russia medicinal mushrooms are given as part of a cancer treatment along with chemo and radiation therapies.
As I mentioned, the different types of mushrooms have different therapeutic properties and indications, and I will be sharing little snippets in upcoming blogs.
***As with anything, do not eat mushrooms if you know you have a sensitivity or are allergic to them!