Can Maitake Help with Diabetes?

Can Maitake Help with Diabetes? AUTHOR CELIA LEUNG maitake medicinal mushrooms and diabetes A recent study conducted by Tianjin University of Science & Technology in China found that a maitake polysaccharide could help treat hyperglycemia by reducing insulin resistance. The most common chronic disease in the world is diabetes, with an estimated 285 million people affected with the condition. By 2030, it is projected that 4.4% of the population will have diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the individual has high blood sugar, either due to low production of insulin in the pancreas or because cells develop a resistance to insulin produced. Over 90 per cent of individuals with diabetes fall under the Type 2 category, in which their high blood sugar is due to the cell’s insulin resistance. Maitake, also known as Grifola frondosa and sheep’s head mushroom, is a popular mushroom in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. It is believed to help improve the immune system, regulate blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and serum levels. Previous research has shown maitake extract to possess immunomodulatory qualities such as enhancing NK cell – or natural killer cell – response, antibody response, and macrophage and cytotoxic T cell activity. The Effect of Maitake on Insulin Resistance Tianjin 300x196 Can Maitake Help with Diabetes? Researchers in Tianjin, China, believe that maitake mushroom may help diabetics with insulin resistance For the experiment researchers Xiaolei Ma, Fuchuan Zhou, Yuanyuan Chen, Yuanyuan Zhang, Lihua Hou, Xiaohong Cao and Chunling Wang used insulin resistance model cells and human liver cancer cells due to their ability to metabolize glucose with normal liver cells. The cell cultures were treated with maitake polysaccharide extracts. After the treatment period, hypoglycemic activity was measured. Analyzing the data, the researchers found that the cells treated with maitake polysaccharides significantly increased the absorption of glucose in human liver cancer cells. This effect was dose-dependent. Based on these results Ma, et al., believe that concentrated extracts from maitake can be a beneficial form of treatment for those who are insulin resistant. Their study demonstrated that treatment with maitake polysaccharides was able to increase glucose metabolism and stimulate the production of glycogen. They suggest more research be conducted to better understand the therapeutic potential of maitake mushrooms. Please check with your doctor before taking any mushroom supplements. Do not discontinue or make changes to your medication without consulting with your physician first! The author of this story is a staff writer for National Nutraceuticals’ online news portals, such as Amino Acid Information Center at http://www.aminoacidinformation.com. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Lyme Disease Cure? Medicinal Mushrooms for Broad Spectrum Healing

Lyme Disease Cure? Medicinal Mushrooms for Broad Spectrum Healing AUTHOR SHARON CORNET medicinal mushrooms may help with lyme disease Lyme disease is named after Old Lyme, Connecticut where this malady was identified back in the 1970’s, but it is also found in parts of Austalia and Eurasia. It comes from infected ticks, which if the tick stays in the body too long (pinhead-sized ones may be undetectable) can produce the disease, which worsens over time. However, although no known cure is known to medical science, there are some people who have claimed to have cured their Lyme disease through a series of different alternative therapies, healthy lifestyle, and by eating or taking medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, reishi, Lion’s mane, cordyceps, turkey tail, agarikon, or other mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms have beta-glucan insoluble fiber, which is a polysaccharide that stimulates the body’s immune system up to 10 times over. Furthermore, medicinal mushrooms have some amazing constituents that bring health benefits in a broad spectrum, such as antioxidant activity, antiviral, antibacterial, memory enhancing, neurological benefits, to name a few. Lyme disease is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which comes from ticks of the genus Ixodes and is carried into into—and lives in—the blood system. People do not always remember the bite, nor do they usually save the tick so I can be analyzed in a lab for testing to see if it is infected. Lyme disease and medicinal mushrooms Lyme disease will often start with symptoms like headaches, chills, fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and a skin rash. It is impossible to culture the bacteria so testing in the lab is not reliable (up to 80% inaccurate) to establish a diagnosis. Even 40% of those with early stage Lyme disease do not develop the characteristic rash. Sometimes symptoms can be mild enough that it may be confused as the flu. Early stages are often treated with 20 days of antibiotics, but some courses have gone up to 90 days without having any effect on the disease or symptoms. Long term use of antibiotics may not be healthy for the body, and the FDA approved vaccine is also not perfected. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause: Joint pain crippling arthritis severe heart disease erythema migrans (red skin lesions) major neurological problems (palsies) memory loss loss of mental clarity depression Some of the issues, besides the above, which need to be addressed, include the digestive system (enzymes), and tissue and joint inflammation. A healthy diet (raw vegan is especially beneficial), multivitamins, essential fatty acids, exercise, and herbal and other supplements that support the adrenal and thyroid hormone levels and build the immune system can all support healing for Lyme disease. Medicinal mushrooms help heal issues such as neurodegenerative disorders, are anti-inflammatory, help with arthritis, cardiovascular health, are immunostimulating, help skin issues, memory and cognition improvement, are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and have anti-cancer and anti-tumor constituents. Because of the anti-bacterial nature of mushrooms, and the fact that Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection, it may serve people better if antibiotics are not working. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Oyster Mushroom Tested On Leukemia Cells

Oyster Mushroom Tested On Leukemia Cells AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD can oyster mushroom help with leukemia A study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that the medicinal and culinary oyster mushroom has anti cancer effects. Could extracts from this medicinal mushroom be developed into a treatment for leukemia? The in vitro experiment by Morris HJ, Hernandez E (et al) from the Centre of Studies for Industrial Biotechnology, Cuba, tested hot water extracts of the oyster mushroom Pleurotus on human leukemia cells. Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming cells, must often a cancer of white blood cells. There are several types of leukemia, but the researchers focused on acute myeloid leukemia. This type of leukemia starts in the bone marrow, but moves quickly into the blood. It can progress rapidly, and if not treated can lead to death within a few months. Currently, acute myeloid leukemia is treated with chemotherapy, though chemotherapy for leukemia has serious side effects. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which in addition to cancer cells also includes bone marrow cells. However, new treatments are being developed to improve results, such as stem cell transplants. Stem cell transplants allow doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy as transplanted stem cells allow the body to restore bone marrow. Oyster mushroom extracts have antitumor effects on leukemia cells Yes 300x200 Oyster Mushroom Tested On Leukemia Cells Yes, oyster mushroom extracts may be helpful when fighting certain types of leukemia The researchers incubated NB4 leukemia cells with various concentrations of oyster mushroom extracts for 24 hours. NB4 leukemia cells are a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer cell viability, cell cycle, and programmed cell death (apoptosis) were measured. The medicinal mushroom extract reduced cancer cell viability by 82% compared to control cells. Additionally, cancer cell death occurred. The researchers suggest that carbohydrates are the most important antitumor compound in the oyster mushroom extract, although compounds known as phenolics also prevented cancer cells from proliferating. The study concluded with the hope that oyster mushrooms may prove to be a useful renewable resource for developing new antitumor treatments.

Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer

Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD medicinal mushrooms and beta glucan The popular culinary and medicinal oyster mushroom is classified in the genus Pleurotus. A European study reports that Pleurotus extracts have been tested on human colon cancer cells, with positive results. Medicinal mushrooms, used for centuries in traditional medicine, are now being analyzed for use in modern medicine. Medicinal mushrooms contain powerful bioactive compounds, and have indeed been the source of several medicines. For example, the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps is the source of the organ transplant drug cyclosporin. The oyster mushroom Pleurotus, too, is undergoing research. It is already known to contain lovastatin, which reduces cholesterol and lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Pleurotus improves the immune system. And Pleurotus is now being investigated for its potential anti cancer effects. A study in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms examined cold water extracts of Pleurotus on human colon cancer cells. Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in North America, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death for men and women combined. As with all cancers, early detection has a better prognosis. Colon cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Researchers are continually developing studies to test new and improved treatments. Would Pleurotus extracts improve the treatment of colon cancer? Researchers Fontana S, Schillaci O, et al, from the University of Palermo, Italy, published their results. Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus has antitumor effects on colon cancer Palermo 300x199 Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer Pleurotus mushroom may have antitumor effects on colon cancer: Palermo, Italy study The study results were promising. In the lab, colon cancer cells were treated with cold-water extracts of Pleurotus. The researchers concluded that these extracts of Pleurotus could be potential sources for new anti cancer treatments.

EBOLA Protection with Medicinal Mushrooms?

EBOLA Protection with Medicinal Mushrooms? AUTHOR SHARON CORNET medicinal mushroom protection against ebola The Ebola virus, which kills up to 90% of those who are infected with it, has now entered the United States of America. The Ebola pandemic, which has been followed and quarantined since 1976 in Central Africa, and a more recent outbreak in Western Africa, has caused some American and Canadian doctors to have isolated themselves after returning from countries from the African continent. But is there a cure for Ebola? Could medicinal mushrooms help protect against ebola or even treat it? Most people say there is not possibly a cure, but to fully understand the dilemma, and how the human immune system is attacked in the presence of deadly viruses, is exactly what is needed at a time when our nation is experiencing fear from the unknown factors regarding this kind of hemorrhagic fever. Two Americans are infected with Ebola presently. One of them, Kent Brantly, a 33-year old doctor from Texas, was working at an Ebola treatment center (run by two faith-based organizations: Samaritan’s Purse, and Reuters) in Liberia when he began showing symptoms of having the virus. He was flown to Atlanta in a protective suit so he could be monitored at the Emory University Hospital. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told Fox News that Dr. Brantly “appears to be improving, and that’s encouraging.” Nancy Writebol, the second aid worker for another charity, SIM USA, would be expecting treatment soon. Both patients’ progress will be known over the next few days. Improve immunity to treat symptoms of Ebola virus Ebola virus disease is very deadly to the majority of its hosts. How viruses work is still a mysterious process. Those who overcome them typically have a super charged immune system, as well as other factors of health and medical care in place. Currently there is no treatment, vaccine, or cure for Ebola, which is a viral hemorrhagic fever. The symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and external and internal bleeding. Fluid replacement is crucial as well as fever-reducing medication, and antibiotics that help the immune system fight the virus could also improve chances of survival for the patient. The key to those who survive the Ebola virus depends on the strength of their immune system along with getting proper supportive care at a medical facility. Early treatment is also extremely important, and may have helped keep the death rate lower, says Stephan Monroe, an expert of emerging infectious diseases at the CDC. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that out of 1,323 cases, the deaths have been 729 (death rate of 55%). However, the mortality rate of Ebola depends upon the strain that patients catch, where some are at 50%, and others are up to a 90% death rate. Immune-boosting anti-viral medicinal mushrooms a near-cure for Ebola? The Ebola virus is often a fatal disease, but medicinal mushrooms may help fight off the effects of this, or any other virus in general. These are just regular edible mushrooms (dried or cooked, never raw) such as white mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, shiitake, reishi, maitake, cordyceps, crimini, turkey tail, or a host of other excellent mushrooms that are well documented for their anti-viral, antioxidant, immune-boosting, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and even anti-tumor constituents. Medicinal mushrooms also boost the production of macrophages that attract viruses. They recruit natural killer cells that fight viruses and other foreign attackers as well. The anti-viral and immune system enhancing qualities of mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma species, also called Lingzhi) and other mushrooms may help since people who take or eat mushrooms regularly tend to get sick less. This means less colds, flu, and possibly even viruses that cause the Avian flu (aka “bird flu”), or possibly even Ebola virus disease. Paul Stamets, a mycologist (mushroom/fungi expert) whose mother cured her cancer using medicinal mushrooms, has said regarding viral flu sicknesses, “In my work with the U.S. Defense Department’s BioShield BioDefense program, ethanol and water extracts of the living mycelium of Ganoderma resinaceum inhibited virus replication as measured by the viral yield reduction (VYR) assay of Flu A (H5N1) aka “bird flu,” and Flu B viruses. Notably, a ‘traditional’ hot water extract of the fruitbodies arising from the same mycelium demonstrated no notable antiviral activity.” (Stamets, 2008). Remember that there is currently no known cure for Ebola, even though the current experimental serum seems to be working well. Ebola has a death rate ranging from 50-90% according to experts. Infowars says the threat of this Ebola virus is played down since you have to exchange bodily fluids with someone, but that if avoiding fluids from the human body (sweat, feces, secretions, organs, blood, etc.), or even quarantining Ebola patients, then “how in the world have more than 100 health workers contracted the virus so far?” Since 1976 here is how many people have gotten sick and/or died from the Ebola virus, which according to Zero Hedge includes: 1976 DRCongo: 318 cases/280 deaths 1976 Sudan: 284 cases/151 deaths 1994 Gabon: 52 cases/31 deaths 1995 DRCongo: 315 cases/254 deaths 1996 Gabon 60 cases/45 deaths 2000 Uganda: 425 cases/224 deaths 2001-02 Gabon: 65 cases/53 deaths 2001-02 Congo: 59 cases/44 deaths 2003 Congo: 59 caess/44 deaths 2007 DRCongo 264 cases/187 deaths 2007 Uganda: 149 cases/37 deaths 2012 DRCongo: 57 cases/29 deaths According to the Washington Post the current Ebola outbreak is not in Central Africa this time, but West Africa. The statistics they show are as follows: Guinea: 460 cases/339 deaths (74% death rate) Sierra Leone: 533 cases/233 deaths (44% death rate) Liberia: 329 cases/156 deaths (47% death rate) This means the virus has moved to other countries on the same continent, and now with patients on flights, it has moved (purposefully) within hours to inside the boundaries of the United States. Still, medical professionals believe it is safe if quarantined. ABC News reported that the White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, told reporters, “There is a screening process that individuals have to go through when they board aircraft departing the countries where this outbreak has been reported. There is additional screening that occurs when individuals who started in that region of the world arrive in this country.” Barbara Reynolds, CDC spokeswoman said, “There is always the possibility that someone with an infectious disease can enter the United States. The public health concern is whether it would spread, and, if so, how quickly.’” It also appears that either the specific strain of Ebola virus out of Liberia is now below the (lowest) 50% mortality rate, or else the medical care has improved, although other factors could be involved. However, this means nearly one person out of every two will still die if they catch Ebola. It begs the question… would it hurt to strengthen one’s immune system with a natural, inexpensive, edible food or supplement like medicinal mushrooms? Studies abound on the beta-glucan / polysaccharides in mushrooms and how taking medicinal mushroom supplements enhances immunity. Based on the medical evidence in human clinical trials, taking medicinal mushrooms boosts our immune system. Could they make the difference in tipping the scales as to whether certain Ebola virus patients survive or not, has not yet been researched. Eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise also help improve health and keep our immune systems strong. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Medicinal Mushroom Coriolus Versicolor Shrinks Breast Cancer Tumors

Medicinal Mushroom Coriolus Versicolor Shrinks Breast Cancer Tumors AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD Turkey tail medicinal mushroom and breast cancer More evidence that bioactive compounds in the colorful turkey tail mushroom, also known medicinal mushroom Coriolus Versicolor, have anti cancer effects on breast cancer. An animal study published in Phytomedicine tested extracts of the medicinal mushrooms on mouse breast cancer cells. Breast cancer is the most common cancer for North American women, excepting skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. But breast cancer can often be successfully treated, especially if it is detected early. Breast cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. However, some of these treatments have very harsh side effects. Research is being performed to improve treatments and prognosis, including research into natural sources for potential future anti cancer drugs. One such natural source is the medicinal mushroom. The turkey tail medicinal mushroom has been proven to contain anti cancer bioactive compounds, though scientific tests are still ongoing. Ke-Wang Luo, Grace Gar-Lee Yue, et al, published the results of their in vivo and in vitro experiment in Phytomedicine (July-August 2014). Turkey tail medicinal mushroom extract shrinks breast cancer tumors Hong Kong Skyline 300x168 Medicinal Mushroom Coriolus Versicolor Shrinks Breast Cancer Tumors Animal study by Hong Kong scientists suggests that coriolus versicolor medicinal mushrooms help shrink breast cancer The study examined anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects of aqueous extracts of the turkey tail medicinal mushroom on mouse breast cancer cells. The extract of turkey tail medicinal mushroom was given to mice daily for 4 weeks, and the tumors analyzed. Tumor weight was decreased by 36%. Additionally, lung metastasis was reduced by 70% compared to the untreated control group. This means the turkey tail extracts prevented the breast cancer from spreading. The turkey tail extracts also had remarkable immunomodulatory effects. They improved the immune response by increasing lymphocyte production. Lymphocytes are needed for our bodies to make natural killer cells, which identify and destroy invading cells like cancer. The researchers concluded that there is scientific evidence for using turkey tail aqueous extracts in breast cancer patients. Turkey tail medicinal mushroom is commonly available as a dietary supplement under its official name Coriolus Versicolor. It is often included in various immune system boosting dietary supplements as one of the key ingredients.