by
Maria Teresa De Donato, PhD, RND, CNC, CMH, CHom
In
our February 2015 article
(http://holistic-coaching-dedonato.blogspot.com/2015_02_01_archive.html
and
http://www.environmentalhealthanddesign-dedoholistic.com/2015/02/
) we started examining the so called 'Superfoods' by giving a look at
the Allium sativum, commonly known as 'garlic' and at its
ability to strengthen the immune system and fight many health
conditions including cancer. In this article, we will be taking into
account the nutrition and healing properties of mushrooms.
Mushrooms
are not vegetables but fungi, that is, plants with neither roots nor
leaves and which do not have flowers or seeds either. Their ideal
condition to grow is in the dark while their reproduction takes place
through spares spread by the wind. Another characteristic of
mushrooms is that like all other fungi, they lack chlorophyll which
is needed to transform sunlight into energy.
From
a nutritional perspective, mushrooms are very rich foods. Dr.
Joel Fuhrman, a well known American physician who advocates what he
calls a 'micro nutrient-rich diet', and author of Superfoods for
Health and Pleasure, has defined mushrooms as the most
anti-cancer foods which induce weight loss. He also stated that
women who consume regularly mushrooms have 65% lower risk of getting
breast cancer. This superfood, in fact, can be classified as a such
since it contains all sorts of nutrients: from
proteins to amino acids, from vitamin B and C to copper, folate,
selenium, iron, and the trace mineral germanium which seems to be
able to utilize the oxygen in the body and protect the latter from
free radicals. Some mushrooms contain also beta-carotene, which –
like selenium - is also a powerful antioxidant.
Though
they are so rich in nutrients, mushrooms are very low in calories and
when it comes to their healing properties they are really amazing.
Despite their great variety, different characteristics, and
nutritional and healing abilities, generally speaking they are inner
system stimulators: they can boost the immune system and,
consequently, protect the body from free radicals and certain types
of cancer, mutagens and toxins as well as from cardiovascular
disease. Among the mushrooms which are on top of the list when it
comes to medicinal properties we find reishi,
shiitake
and maitake.
Through
clinical studies, reishi has
proven to be able to counteract the side effects from radiation and
chemotherapy, to boost overall health, promote longevity, speed
recovery from illness, detoxify and regenerate the liver, improve
circulation and stamina, increase blood flow, reduce platelets
aggregation, enhance the immune system, reduce inflammation in the
joints along with treating, or at least improving, a long list of
health conditions running from rheumatism to ulcers, and from high
cholesterol to Alzheimer's disease. The Reishi mushroom can be
listed among the natural stimulants and adaptogens herbs for their
ability to restore balance and keep the cortisol hormone within
normal levels (p. 261)
The shiitake mushrooms, Lentinus edodes, are also a highly
nutritious kind of fungi which contain proteins, free amino acids,
lipids, enzymes, polysaccharides, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin B-12
and vitamin B-2 (riboflavin) and vitamin C, ergosterol – a
pro-vitamin which sunlight converts into vitamin D. In the cultured
varieties calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus
and zinc are also present.
Shiitake
mushrooms also contain Lentinus edodes micellium (LEM) extract, and
Lentinan, which is as polysaccharide, both of which have proven to be
tumors and viruses inhibitors. They regulate the immune system, turn
away bacterial and parasitic infections, improve circulation,
increase stamina, protect the liver, promote the production of
antibodies to the hepatitis B virus, reduce the side effects from
radiation and chemotherapy, and lower the levels of cholesterol and
fat in the blood. Shiitake has also been used to treat cancer,
HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex, Epstein Barr virus, environmental
allergies, Candida infections, high blood pressure, and chronic high
cholesterol.
Another
Shiitake extract called KS-2, activates macrophages and induces the
body to produce interferon, a powerful antiviral and anticancer
substance. The eritadenine, a shiitake's amino acid, seems to be
beneficial in the prevention of heart attack and diabetes by lowering
cholesterol, refraining the formation of blood clots, and by
regulating sugar levels.
Lentinan is a powerful
anticancer agent contained in both Shiitake and Reishi mushrooms,
which has proven to have antitumor properties and is used in Japanese
hospitals to treat cancer. Other research suggests that lentinan may
have the potential to also fight AIDS. It has demonstrated anti-HIV
activity and in a US study 30 percent of patients taking lentinan,
and who were all HIV positive, showed an increase in their T-cell
counts after twelve weeks (p. 151)
The maitake
mushroom, or Grifola frondosa, also called the “king of the
mushrooms” due to its healing properties, contains many nutrients
including “protein, fiber, amino acids, vitamin C, vitamin B-12,
vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.”
Through its use the immune system's ability is stimulated and
strengthened thanks to the beta-glucans that contains and which, over
the years, have proven to be able and prevent T-cell from being
destroyed by the HIV. Maitake mushrooms have also shown to reduce
chemotherapy side effects such as vomiting, and appetite and hair
loss, as well as to fight “high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
cardiovascular and liver diseases.... candida, constipation, and
obesity...” along with “regulating endocrine functions” and
“Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and
hair loss.” (p. 168)
According to the old
Chinese Taoist tradition, Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, ganoderma, and
other mushrooms were able to grant immortality. (p. 295).
To know more about
reishi, shiitake and maitake mushrooms properties you can visit the
following site:
Disclaimer: The
information above are for educational purpose only and not intended
as medical advice. Whatever health condition you might have, consult
with your physician first. To know more about my activity and how I
can assist you, you can contact me at info@dedoholistic.com
References:
Balch, P. A. (2003).
Prescription for Dietary Wellness. Second Edition. Part Five:
Immortal Mushrooms. (pp. 167-169). New York, NY: Penguin Group
Holford, P. (2004). The
New Optimum Nutrition Bible. Revised and Updated. Part 2: Defining
the Perfect Diet. Living Food. The Phytochemical Revolution.
Lentinan. (p. 151). Part 4: The benefits of Optimum
Nutrition. Fighting Infections Naturally. Mushrooms. (p. 295).
Increasing Your Energy and Resistance to Stress. Stimulants and tehir
alternatives. Natural stimulants. (p. 261) New York, NY: The
Crossing Press
Text is available under the Creative
Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License:
Reishi mushroom (picture): Eric
Steinert - photo taken by Eric Steinert at
Paussac, France
Shiitake mushroom (picture):
frankenstoen from Portland, Oregon - Shiitake
Mushrooms
Maitake mushroom (picture): Grifola
frondosa Eikhaas by Pethan 10-2004 Amelisweerd,
Netherlands
To know more about my holistic health practice and my coaching activity, please feel free to visit also the following sites:
http://hpathy.com/clinical-cases/asthmatic-bronchitis-in-an-18-month-old-boy/
http://marter2520.wix.com/dedonato-bookstore
