Mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes and all have their own special health benefits. If you are suffering from immune related stress in the body, mushrooms may be one of the answers to strengthening your immune system.
There are medicinal mushrooms and cooking mushrooms which in my eyes are still medicinal. Our food is medicine and we should feed our cells with only the best foods to help heal, restore and nourish the body to be its best.
The difference between medicinal mushrooms and cooking mushrooms
Medicinal Mushrooms
There are a number of medicinal mushrooms with a variety of phytochemicals with different protective qualities and actions. These phytochemicals are different from each medicinal mushroom and good for targeting specific areas. One of the medicinal mushrooms I use in clinic and in my Suzanna’s Natural Life - Immune boost powder for boosting the immune system is the Reishi mushroom. Reishi mushrooms have a number of key phytochemicals such as beta glucan polysaccharides, Ling Ze-8 protein, triterpenes and oleic acid. These phytochemicals assist with the following actions in the body;
There are a number of medicinal mushrooms with a variety of phytochemicals with different protective qualities and actions. These phytochemicals are different from each medicinal mushroom and good for targeting specific areas. One of the medicinal mushrooms I use in clinic and in my Suzanna’s Natural Life - Immune boost powder for boosting the immune system is the Reishi mushroom. Reishi mushrooms have a number of key phytochemicals such as beta glucan polysaccharides, Ling Ze-8 protein, triterpenes and oleic acid. These phytochemicals assist with the following actions in the body;
- Reduces the allergy response in the body.
- Inhibits histamine release assisting with inflammation and hay fever problems.
- Strengthens and stimulates the immune system to work better.
- Antitumor acting against a malignant tumor.
Other medicinal mushrooms include; Maitake, reishi, Cordyceps, shiitake, Turkey tail and Coriolus which are all superfoods for the immune system. The best ways to take these mushrooms are in powder form in smoothies, teas, capsules or tincture form.
Common cooking mushrooms health benefits
Common cooking mushrooms found in the supermarket include swiss brown, portobello, button and cup mushrooms. Cooked mushrooms are a great source of protein, fibre, B vitamins, selenium and Vitamin D. All these nutrients help give us a great source of energy, nerve and digestive support, protect our body from oxidative stress, strengthen our bones and boost our immune system.
Now days most mushrooms are infused with UV light treatment to enhance the vitamin D levels in the mushroom. Another great way to enhance vitamin D in mushrooms is by leaving the mushrooms outside in the sun for 2 hours to transform the ultraviolet light from the sun into Vitamin D in the mushroom naturally. Getting dietary vitamin D assists with calcium absorption to help prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D also increases the production of immune cells that help fight disease and the common cold and flu. Definitely sneak a couple of these winter hearty mushrooms in your winter soups, stews and stir-fries to keep your immune system strong.
Who is at risk of a vitmain D deficiency?
It’s amazing how much one vitamin deficiency can impact our overall health if you have anxiety, feeling low or depressed. Try adding some more vitamin D and sunny mushrooms into your diet. Research shows a decrease in symptoms with adequate amounts of Vitamin D. If you are surrounded by pollution, always using sunscreen, indoors a lot of the time, living in condensed areas and have dark skin you may be at a higher risk of a vitamin D deficiency. You can get a simple blood test to check your Vitamin D levels if you are concerned, it’s a great way to monitor if you are on the right track.
Common cooking mushrooms found in the supermarket include swiss brown, portobello, button and cup mushrooms. Cooked mushrooms are a great source of protein, fibre, B vitamins, selenium and Vitamin D. All these nutrients help give us a great source of energy, nerve and digestive support, protect our body from oxidative stress, strengthen our bones and boost our immune system.
Now days most mushrooms are infused with UV light treatment to enhance the vitamin D levels in the mushroom. Another great way to enhance vitamin D in mushrooms is by leaving the mushrooms outside in the sun for 2 hours to transform the ultraviolet light from the sun into Vitamin D in the mushroom naturally. Getting dietary vitamin D assists with calcium absorption to help prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D also increases the production of immune cells that help fight disease and the common cold and flu. Definitely sneak a couple of these winter hearty mushrooms in your winter soups, stews and stir-fries to keep your immune system strong.
Who is at risk of a vitmain D deficiency?
It’s amazing how much one vitamin deficiency can impact our overall health if you have anxiety, feeling low or depressed. Try adding some more vitamin D and sunny mushrooms into your diet. Research shows a decrease in symptoms with adequate amounts of Vitamin D. If you are surrounded by pollution, always using sunscreen, indoors a lot of the time, living in condensed areas and have dark skin you may be at a higher risk of a vitamin D deficiency. You can get a simple blood test to check your Vitamin D levels if you are concerned, it’s a great way to monitor if you are on the right track.
Mushroom facts
Mushrooms are interesting and I love going out in the cooler winter climates as the warmer weather starts to spike and see what types of mushrooms are growing around in nature. Mushrooms are fungi that require the right temperature and compost or damp wood to decompose and grow their fruit from. It is a really fascinating process that always amazes me. You can purchase mushroom kits at your gardening store and make your own mushroom farm, which is always fun to watch grow. The warmer weather is starting to come out now and drying up the composts and woods, but if you get out in nature and look in the damper spots you should still see some little growths along your walk.
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About Suzanna Wallace
Suzanna has a Health Science degree and is a registered Naturopath and Herbalist in Australia, and has also trained and worked in numerous healing art techniques to assist with mind, body and spiritual health. Focusing on a wide range of health topics, and the implementation of her detox and regeneration programs, Suzanna has created her own product range, Suzanna’s Natural Life, which can be found in the ‘shop’ section of this website. Suzanna conducts online and mobile consultations and membership. Contact Suzanna today and kick-start your journey to achieving good health in 2019, and beyond!
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. The Green Naturopath takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
“The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good health lies in successful adjustment to changing stresses on the body.” – Harry J. Johnson
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. The Green Naturopath takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.