Unconventional Treatments

Mushrooms are fungal plants which are also used in medicines and food to increase nutritional effect. Not all mushrooms are edible some are highly toxic. Edible mushrooms should be carefully picked up to mitigate risk due to inherent toxins, which can cause food poisoning, disturbed immune systems and upset digestive systems. There are a variety of mushrooms available in food market. Edible Shitake mushrooms have beneficiary effect in treating neurological and cardiovascular problems.

Nutrients Found in Mushroom

The important nutrients found in mushrooms are:

1. Protein

2. Vitamins (Vitamin A,C, D)

3. Antioxidants (Selenium, Vitamin D, Choline, Ergothioneine or ET)

4. Minerals (Potassium, Copper, Iron, Phosphorous)

5. Folate (Vitamin B 9)

6.Fiber

They make healthy part of food intake. Free radicals generated in the body due to metabolism may become toxic if accumulated in excess. Antioxidants in the healthy food ingredients remove those free radicals from body and relieve us from harmful stress and other health related problems.

Helpful in mitigating cardiovascular disease

The stem of Shitake mushrooms is good source of Beta-glucans which are found to lower blood cholesterol. The cell wall of mushrooms are rich in beta- glucans. Fiber content, Potassium and Vitamin C lowers blood pressure and reduces risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease.

Studies also show that Vitamin C deficiency leads to increased risk of heart diseases. So, Shitake mushrooms rich in Vitamin C helps in mitigating heart disease risk.

Keeping Neurological problems away

Shitake mushrooms are considered superfood in fighting against cognitive impairment. Studies found that older people with mushroom rich diet have lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia.

Scientists have found that an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound Ergothioneine (ET)that can not be produced by human body help and which is found in abundance in mushrooms is helpful in promoting cognitive brain health. Presence of certain other bioactive compounds (Hericenones, Erinacines, Scabronines, Dictyophorines) have been found to increase nerve cell growth factors and protect brain from decline in cognitive functions by inhibiting production of acetylcholinesterases.

Mushroom rich diet to prevent other diseases

Studies have found that mushroom rich diet also have some positive effects in treating Diabetes, certain Cancers, Immunological diseases, prevent aging, help in weight loss, and neurological decline.

Magical mushrooms should be carefully picked to maximize the advantageous medicinal usage as some of the mushroom have been found to have adverse effects on health as liver failures and severe food poisoning.

Shikha Saxena

Jul 2, 2021·2 min read