{"id":3339,"date":"2019-01-11T07:29:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T07:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=3339"},"modified":"2021-08-10T04:33:55","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T04:33:55","slug":"12-unexpected-health-benefits-of-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/12-unexpected-health-benefits-of-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Unexpected Health Benefits of Mushrooms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are an estimated 140,000 species of mushroom-producing fungi. Currently, mycologists are only acquainted with less than 10-percent of them. These organisms extract from decaying animal and plant matter. Mushrooms have unique characteristics and properties. They vary in size, shape, color, and texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only 100-species of mushroom are currently under review for their medicinal application and health benefits. However, research suggests that mushrooms have potent physiological and physiological effects on our health and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that consuming mushrooms as part of your diet can relieve hypertension, improve gastrointestinal health, fight off cancer, and reverse diabetes. Mushrooms are part of popular culture as well, and they\u2019re part of folklore and legend. How many times have you seen a picture of a fairy sitting on a mushroom? If you\u2019ve watched the classic animated film, Alice in Wonderland, you\u2019ll notice them all over the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mushrooms offer so many benefits that we have yet to discover. However, here are 12 unexpected health benefits you may find interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Reduce Systemic Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation <\/a>affects our bodies in many different ways. Muscles inflame due to exercise-induced stress after we’re done working out at the gym. Our joints and soft cartilage experience inflammation from degenerative bone diseases. Our gastrointestinal system inflames when we eat refined carbohydrates. Inflammation is the primary cause of illness and health disorders in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating mushrooms reduce systemic inflammation. Our gut biomes, the trillions of live micro bacteria in our gut, assimilate nutrients, micronutrients, and vitamins from our food. Biomes lose their ability to operate efficiently when the GI tract is inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating shitake mushrooms reduces gastrointestinal inflammation. This Asian dietary staple reduces inflammation of the intestinal wall. The mushrooms release potent bioactive compounds into the digestive system that reduce inflammation and provide biomes with the environment they need to thrive. These mushrooms are also an excellent source of vitamin D, a nutrient that is rare in dietary intake and usually requires exogenous supplementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Lower Cholesterol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elevated cholesterol <\/a>levels are a threat to your health. Maintaining a balance of the lipids, LDL and HDL, is critical for cardiovascular health. When LDL, (bad cholesterol,) gets out of control, it results in a buildup of plaque on the arterial walls. This plaque build-up increases blood pressure as the heart struggles to pump blood around the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated, high blood pressure develops into a condition called \u201chypertension.\u201d In a hypertensive state, the cardiovascular system is at risk of heart disease. Physicians prescribe statin drugs to reduce total lipid levels and LDL cholesterol while increasing the production of HDL, (good cholesterol.) However, these drugs come with their own set of health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bioactive compounds in mushrooms assist the liver in burning LDL cholesterol lipids. This effect gives the bod a balanced cholesterol profile while reducing total lipid count. Mushrooms are high in dietary fiber which sweeps the GI tract clean of undigested food. This effect reduces systemic inflammation while improving the health of blood vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Improve Bone Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistics from the CDC state that osteoarthritis affects over 10-percent of men, and 13-percent of women over the age of 60-years. This statistic makes the condition the most common form of degenerative bone disease affecting seniors in the United States. Symptoms of the disease include painful joints, reduced mobility, and a loss in quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating a diet of foods rich in calcium, and supplementing with the mineral can slow progression of the disease. Mushrooms are an alkaline food, eating them balances the acidity in your gastrointestinal tract. Mushrooms are high in copper and zinc<\/a>, two other minerals essential for the development of new bone cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zinc enhances the production of osteoblasts that form the cells of new bone. One cup of cooked shitake mushrooms contains over 25-percent of the RDA for zinc. Levels of zinc decline in men and women suffering from osteoarthritis. By adding mushrooms to their diet, people with the disease can slow its progression and reduce symptoms of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Prevent Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 84-million Americans live with blood disorder prediabetes. A further 29-million Americans have an advanced form of the disorder, type-2 diabetes<\/a>. This blood sugar disorder arises from the repetitive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pancreas is the organ responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. When the organ senses an elevation in blood sugar, it secretes a hormone called insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin lowers blood sugar back to baseline levels. Consistent consumption of sugary foods damages the pancreas and its ability to secrete insulin efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diabetic individuals must supplement with exogenous insulin after meals containing carbohydrates. An insulin injection ensures they don\u2019t turn hypoglycemic and slip into a coma. Eating mushrooms provide an ideal form of nutrition for diabetics. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and low in carbohydrates. Mushrooms also contain bioactive compounds and enzymes that assist the body in regulating hormone and insulin production and increase insulin sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Boost Immune System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our immune system<\/a> protects us from infection and disease. The gastrointestinal system plays a significant role in immune function. The majority of our immune system resides in our GI tract. When it\u2019s inflamed, our immune response diminishes. Mushrooms contain a potent antioxidant, ergothioneine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This antioxidant lines the gut and protects our biomes from pathogens that create disease. Ergothioneine contains Sulphur. This compound fights bacterial infection. Ergothioneine is one of the only known sources of Sulphur, so it\u2019s not surprising to learn that many people are deficient in this compound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ergothioneine also assists the body in eliminating free radicals. These harmful particles cause cell death through a process known as oxidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mushrooms also contain organic antibiotics, beta-glucans, and polysaccharides. These micronutrients act similarly to the drug penicillin. The compounds stimulate the immune system and prevent microbial growth while limiting fungal infections. Polysaccharides also help to heal stomach ulcers by reducing acidity in the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Natural Source of Vitamin D<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s challenging to find Vitamin D<\/a> in our food. Traditionally, the only means of obtaining this critical vitamin is exposure to the sun. We need to expose our entire upper body to full sunlight for 15-minutes to receive the required amount of vitamin D. For most people, this is not possible, especially if you live in a climate that doesn\u2019t experience many sunlight hours in the wintertime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only other option to obtain vitamin D is the use of an exogenous supplement. However, the body doesn\u2019t readily absorb synthetic variants of the nutrient. We need to take 5 to 6-times the recommended daily value to receive a sufficient amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mushrooms are one of the only food sources that are rich in vitamin D. This critical vitamin enhances the body\u2019s absorption of phosphorous and calcium, which are also available in mushrooms. One serving of mushrooms gives you 7IU of highly bioavailable vitamin D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Increase Oxygen Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cordyceps <\/a>mushrooms live on a particular species of caterpillar in the mountainous areas of China. Finding genuine, authentic cordyceps mushroom is very challenging due to its rarity. Therefore, most commercially available cordyceps grows in a laboratory environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cordyceps mushroom is effective at increasing oxygen levels in the blood. The fungus does so by increasing the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and then absorbs carbon dioxide. When hemoglobin returns to the lungs, it releases the carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athletes supplement with powdered cordyceps mushroom available in capsule format. The added hemoglobin boost allows them to train at altitude without experiencing the adverse side effects of diminished oxygen levels. Cordyceps also has value in recovery after surgery, as it boosts blood flow and oxygen to organs and tissue. There is no clinical evidence to support these claims. However, athletes and patients report positive effects from using the mushroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Weight Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nutritional science has brought to light the importance of a diet high in protein <\/a>and healthy fats for weight loss. Meal plans like the modified ketogenic diet and the paleo diet offer dramatic fat loss results for obese and overweight individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, nutritionists thought that fat was responsible for weight gain. While trans-fats are extremely bad for your health, saturated, monounsaturated, and Omega-3 fatty acids, are very good for you. Mushrooms are an excellent source of fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids in the form of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mushrooms only contain trace amounts of carbohydrates, making them ideal for anyone implementing a fat loss diet. This nutrient-dense form of nutrition ranks higher than most other vegetables and fruits regarding their nutrient value. Mushrooms help get the weight off, and they help keep it off. Speak to a nutritionist about creating a keto or paleo diet that includes mushrooms for optimal health and fat loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Restore Health of Skin and Nails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both men and women understand the importance of a skincare routine. However, many would never consider that adding mushrooms to their diet would be as effective as the latest moisturizer or serum. Mushrooms <\/a>encourage the production of collagen. This protein assists the skin with maintaining elasticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collagen production also helps to heal acne scars and sun spots while making your skin look bright and healthy. Mushrooms are a rich source of selenium. This potent nutrient primarily exists in animal protein sources. Unfortunately, this means that vegans and vegetarians miss out on this compound unless they supplement with exogenous sources of the mineral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, mushrooms provide all the selenium vegans, and vegetarians need to maintain healthy, vibrant skin. Selenium also plays a role in keeping hair shiny and full of volume while strengthening teeth and bones. Different mushrooms species have different quantities of this mineral, with shitake mushrooms being the most bioavailable source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Cancer Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The high concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA,) and beta-glucans in mushrooms make them efficient at protecting the body from carcinogens. Numerous scientific studies show the benefits of mushrooms in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells. Linoleic acid is very effective at reducing the harmful effects of estrogen. CLA helps with the elimination of estrogen protecting women against the development of breast cancer after experiencing menopause. This beta-glucans have properties that protect men against the formation of prostate cancer cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physicians diagnose more than 26,000 cases of gastrointestinal cancer annually. Of these cases, more than 10,000 results in death. The disease affects all genders, races, and age groups. These statistics make the condition a significant cause of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding mushrooms to your diet will keep your gastrointestinal system free of inflammation and prevent the development of gastrointestinal cancer<\/a>. The Sulphur found in ergothioneine helps the GI tract resist colon and stomach cancer. The compound and inhibits their growth and spread throughout the GI tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Treating PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People that experience emotional trauma <\/a>develop a condition known as a post-traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD.) It\u2019s a common mental illness for veterans that have seen the horrors of combat in the war. PTSD can cripple people\u2019s minds, leaving them a shell of their former self. Treating the condition requires antipsychotic medications and regular therapy sessions to help the affected individual return to a healthy state of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical evidence suggests that \u201cmagic mushrooms,\u201d can assist the therapist in alternative healing strategies for people who have PTSD. Magic mushrooms contain a hallucinogenic substance called \u201cpsilocybin,\u201d \u2013 the active ingredient that creates psychedelic experiences and feelings of euphoria in people that choose to consume them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convincing evidence suggests that individuals who undergo psilocybin therapy have the potential to lift the feelings of depression and anxiety associated with PTSD. It\u2019s important to note that these studies were in controlled environments with the assistance of a clinical psychologist. It may be haphazard to self-medicate with psilocybin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Watch What You Eat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mushrooms are available in the wild. So a surprising benefit of this fungus<\/a> is that you can get a dose of exercise while out on a mushroom hunt. Mushrooms grow in shady areas near decomposing plant matter, such as fallen trees. Their choice of a home may be one of the reasons why we see them make a cameo in so many fairy tales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While mushrooms have a host of benefits, not all of them are beneficial to our health. Some can cost you your life if you eat them. Straw mushrooms and Caesar\u2019s mushrooms grow in glades around Europe and America. Unfortunately, their bear a remarkable resemblance to the most toxic mushroom in existence \u2013 the Death cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its okay to eat mushrooms raw, some hikers and explorers have mistaken the death cap for an edible mushroom. 6 to 12-hours after eating the death cap, you will begin to experience violent stomach pains followed by vomiting and lowered blood sugar. The most severe cases end in coma and death. Over 50-percent of individuals that eat a death cap end up dying as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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