Medical Mushrooms

Last year I wrote a review of Mycelium Running.

Meanwhile, as usual, I have continued searching the literature for scientific articles. It is somewhat surprising to find over 7000 scientific articles on mushrooms, with the research on Ganoderma, Cordyceps and Shitake leading the pack, making them the most popular alternatives for immune strengthening.

Interestingly, even those common button mushrooms available at most grocery stores have been shown to

• Improve immune function
• Lower risk of breast and prostate cancer
• Decrease blood pressure
• Have anti-inflammatory effects
• Have lot of anti-oxidants
• Decrease insulin resistance

I have long used bottled or canned mushrooms as one of my favorite foods. However, today I can find almost NONE bottled in the U.S.!? So, I either have to buy and use the fresh ones within a few days or can my own.

There are of course excellent concentrated supplements of the two leading Medical Mushroom, Ganoderma (Reishi) and Cordyceps. For these, the benefits include:

• Lowering cholesterol
• Improving insulin sensitivity
• Decreasing gall stones
• Faster recovery after strokes
• Enhancing immune function
• Improved testicular function
  

For everyone with weakened immune function, I strongly recommend both of these super mushrooms. And of course those with cancer should put these two safe alternatives at the top of the list!