Mushrooms’ complex nutritional matrix of nutrients, dietary fiber and fungal enzymes has been shown to support healthy digestion and gastrointestinal tract function
Contents
Uses
Fungi are an important source of medicine, including many antibiotics, anti-tissue rejection drugs for organ transplants, cancer drugs, and anti-inflammatory products. Most of the discoveries of fungal derived medicines have gone through rigorous studies and tests, sometimes by design, and sometimes by accident.
Benefits
Immune System Effects
Mushroom extracts may regulate and modulate the immune system’s cancer-killing cells such as T-cells, B-cells and macrophages for peak performance, according to the American Cancer Society. Mushroom extracts also stimulate natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells release cytokines that strengthen the immune response.
Immunomodulators
Mushrooms contain natural substances such as polysaccharides, which stimulate the body’s healing system and help the body to fight off infection during times of stress. Mushroom polysaccharides are one class of immunomodulators that are comprised of interferons, colony stimulating factors, monoclonal antibodies and synthetic immunomodulators.
Infection-Fighting Property
Some metabolites in mushrooms, most of which are polysaccharides, have the ability to positively modulate the biologic response of immune cells and appear to have significant infection-fighting properties. This could help fight or prevent communicable diseases such as immunodeficiency diseases, or AIDS, which involve the depression of the immune system, says John S. Finnell, M.S., a professor of natural health sciences at Bastyr University.
Cautions
The side effect profile of mushroom preparations are minimal. However, mushrooms may interact with other herbs, supplements and medications. For these reasons, take mushroom supplements always under the supervision of your doctor. Mushrooms have blood-thinning properties and should not be used by people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia. Mushrooms may inhibit platelet activity. This could increase the risk of bleeding if combined with blood-thinning medications such as aspirin and warfarin.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
Fungi complex
References
Source: LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/494766-mushroom-complex-immune-system/
Gmushrooms, http://www.gmushrooms.com/health/MushroomComplex.htm