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Medicinal Mushrooms

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:55:57 +0000

Every day, mushrooms are widely talked about in the newspapers, magazines and television. Commonly, we hear that mushrooms are good for you. There is countless number of over-the-counter products that broadcast their contents having mushrooms in them. When we think of food often we can visualize mushrooms in salads, pasta dishes, casseroles and even on top of our pizza. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. They have a long history of medicinal effectiveness especially in the Asian countries. One of the first herbal medicines used in the Oriental world for thousands of years was mushrooms which were used to inhibit many conditions like tumors. Recently, mushrooms have become popular in the United States. Mushrooms are full of protein, fiber, calcium, zinc, selenium and other minerals and vitamins B and C. The three most common species of mushrooms are Maitake, Shiitake and Reishi. These three species have demonstrated enormous medicinal effects. These three mushrooms have many overlapping properties in that they all boost immune function, enhance cardiovascular health and are effective in cancer. They have also shown to kill viruses, bacteria and fungus, decrease allergies, decrease inflammation and support the body’s detoxification mechanisms. Maitake mushroom is specifically recommended for the gastro-intestinal system. It is very effective in aiding the digestive system of the stomach and intestines. The Maitake mushroom is well known for its cancer fighting properties. This mushroom contains grifolan, a beta-glucan polysaccharide. Research has shown that grifolan has activated cells of the immune system. Maitake mushrooms have been shown to help with the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and hair. Recent evidence also points to the Maitake mushroom as being effective in Type II diabetes in helping to control blood sugar levels. Many doctors in Japan have used the Maitake mushroom to lower blood pressure and lower blood lipids in cardiovascular patients. The Reishi mushroom promotes respiratory health. This mushroom was well-regarded as the wellness tonic in ancient China. Recently the Reishi mushroom making the news reports is the Red Reishi. It has shown to have a positive effect on lowering bad cholesterol without the side effects of the cholesterol lowering drugs. Shiitake mushrooms are specific for the treatment of nutritional deficiencies and liver ailments. They have natural antiviral and immunity-boosting properties. Shiitake mushrooms are used nutritionally to fight viruses, lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, an immunostimulant that has been used to treat cancer, AIDS, diabetes and chronic fatigue syndrome. Mushrooms offer many benefits in maximizing immune health. In certain diseases mushrooms may offer the first line of defense. When taking mushrooms remember the following: 1. Take the supplements twice a day. 2. Take the supplements morning and evening and 3. Always take the mushrooms on an empty stomach. Which is consider 30 minutes before meals and two hours after. As with any supplement or medicinal plant always check with your doctor before taking.

Vitamin D and Immune System

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:46:11 +0000

Today researchers are excited about another nutrient-vitamin D. Vitamin D is a vitamin that one hears little about but has much to it. It is often called the sunshine vitamin becomes the most abundant source of Vitamin D is from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Research is showing that this vitamin is involved in many different conditions in the human body. What is Vitamin D? What are the various sources of Vitamin D? Who is at risk for having low Vitamin D levels? Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. It can be found in some foods but the largest source is ultraviolet rays from the sun. Ultraviolet rays from the sun trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
In the body Vitamin D exists in several forms. Calciferol is the most active form of vitamin D. Once vitamin D is produced in the skin or consumed in food, it requires chemical conversion in the liver and kidney to form 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, or the physiologically active form of vitamin D. Active vitamin D functions as a hormone because it sends a message to the intestines to increase the absorption of calcium. By promoting calcium absorption, vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also works in concert with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and the immune system. Current literature suggests that a vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Rickets, depression, diabetes, muscle weakness and wasting and autism. According to the UCSD Medical Center stated that 600,000 cases of breast and colorectal cancer could be prevented each year by adequate intake of vitamin D.

What are the sources of Vitamin D? Most of us make about 20,000 units of vitamin D after about 20 minutes of summer sun. This is about hundred times more vitamin D than the government says you need every day. The only way to be sure you have adequate levels of vitamin D in your blood is to regularly go into the sun. Other sources of Vitamin D are found salmon, cod liver oil, mackerel, tuna, liver, eggs and it is fortified in milk and some cereals.

Who may need to supplement with Vitamin D? Those that have limited exposure to the sun or are homebound. Those that live in the northern latitudes such as Alaska. Infants that are breastfeed exclusively may need to supplement with a vitamin D source. Older Americans age 50 and older because the skin will not be able to synthesize vitamin D as effectively. Those that have a problems absorbing fats such a Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Celiac Disease or liver disease.

Improving Immune System with Monolaurin

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:40:42 +0000

Monolaurin is a powerful agent that has been in the spotlight lately. Monolaurin is being touted as helping a wide variety of ailments. What exactly is monolaurin? What does it effectively fight against? To understand monolaurin we need to first step back and review our food chemistry. Fatty acids called Medium Chain Fatty Acids or Medium Chain Triglycerides are lipids that have been shown to inhibit certain viruses. One of most potent antimicrobial and antiviral lipids has been found in coconut oil and is called lauric acid. Coconut oil contains about 40 to 55 percent lauric acid. Lauric acid is the main saturated fatty acid found in coconut fat and a biochemical derivative of lauric acid is called monolaurin. So why not drink coconut milk versus taking a supplement with monolaurin? Lauric acid is not as strong as monolaurin. When ingesting coconut oil, only a small percentage of the lauric acid will be transformed by the body into the powerful monolauric acid. The lauric acid in coconut oil is used by the body to make the same disease-fighting monolaurin that babies make from the lauric acid they get from their mothers’ milk. The monolaurin is the substance from the breast milk keeps infants from infections. Lauric acid was originally discovered when microbiologists studied human breast milk to determine the antiviral substances that protected infants from microbial infections. Lauric acid has been shown to protect newborns, whose immune systems are underdeveloped, from viruses such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). How does monolaurin work? Monolaurin works by binding to the lipid-protein envelope of the virus, thereby preventing it from attaching and entering host cells, preventing infection and replication. Monolaurin also destroys the viral envelope, killing the virus. What is monolaurin effective in fighting: virus, bacteria and fungus. Monolaurin can help treat the common cold, flu, shingles, herpes, Candida, ringworm, Epstein – Barr virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, influenza, RSV, H.pylori, HIV and Rubeola. Monolaurin is not the type of nutritional supplement you have to take on a daily basis but only when the need arises. If start to see the early signs of the flu, like sniffles, monolaurin may be first start. Antibiotics can kill unwanted micro-organisms, but they also may kill many friendly micro-organisms. Monolaurin, on the other hand, does not appear to have adverse effect digestive bacteria, but rather only on unwanted microorganisms. Plus, monolaurin can reduce the resistance of germs to antibiotics. Monolaurin is safe. Monolaurin maybe safer than many other food supplements that are designed to boost the immune system. One of the safest substances known to man is breast milk. However, with any supplement it is always best to check with your doctor before taking anything.

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admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:31:21 +0000

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