HEALTH BENEFITS OF SHITAKE MUSHROOMS

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SHITAKE MUSHROOMS

 
Shiitake mushrooms are a type of mushroom that originated in China and are therefore a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Even though shiitake mushrooms are popular in mostly Asian countries, they are now being used in many dishes around the world. Read on to learn more about the nutritional benefits of these mushrooms.

1. Reduces Cholesterol

A Swedish study has shown that shiitake mushrooms can effectively reduce cholesterol in the body. This ability is due to a compound called eritadenine, which can be found in shiitake mushrooms and shiitake mushroom extract. Another study conducted in Japan showed that regular consumption of shiitake mushrooms increased the levels of cholesterol in the feces, which means that less cholesterol is left over in the body.

2. Strengthens Immune System

Another reason to eat shiitake mushrooms regularly is that they effectively strengthen your immune system. Shiitake mushrooms contain a powerful compound called lentinan, which enables your immune system to fight diseases and infections more efficiently. In fact, shiitake mushrooms are believed to be more effective than many prescription drugs. Shiitake mushrooms can help you battle more common infections like influenza to more serious health ailments like HIV.

3. Prevents Cancer

Scientists now believe that a polysaccharide called lentinan and virus-like particles found in shiitake trigger the increased production of various serum factors associated with immunity and inflammation. These so-called lymphokines, such as interferon and interleukin, stimulate the defense system, spurring the proliferation of phagocytes, including macrophages and other immune fighters that attack cancer cells, bacteria, and viruses.

The compound lentinan not only helps boost your immune system but can also help prevent cancer. According to studies, lentinan promotes several anti-cancer activities. It can reduce the growth of cancerous cells and prevent the spread of existing ones. The compound also stimulates your immune system to release proteins and cells that destroy cancer cells. Gastric cancers in particular can be prevented by regular consumption of shiitake mushrooms.

The most dramatic experiment demonstrating shiitake's antitumor effect was performed on animals. At the National Cancer Research Center in Tokyo, mice suffering from sarcoma, a type of virally-induced cancer, were treated with small doses of shiitake extract over short periods of time. In 1970, the results, published in the journal Cancer Research, showed that six out of ten mice had complete tumor regression. At slightly higher concentrations, shiitake was 100 percent effective - all mice showed tumor regression.

In a 1996 study at Drew University, a protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from shiitake was found to have strong anti-tumor properties. In the study ten cancer patients were treated with the compound and all showed significant improvement.

Similar studies have shown that shiitake extract helps prevent transplanted tumors from taking hold, and "excellent results" were obtained by Japanese scientists in a four-year follow-up study of patients with advanced and recurrent stomach and colon cancer. Shiitake extract is even being tested for use with modern chemotherapy drugs to lessen their toxic effects on healthy tissue and the immune system.

4. Prevents Thrombosis

Consuming shiitake mushroom oil has also been shown to effectively prevent thrombosis. Thrombosis is a health condition that produces blood clots in your veins which leads to restricted blood flow. If you’ve ever gone on a long-haul flight where you had to sit for long periods of time without activity, then chances are you have experienced this disorder. Thrombosis usually occurs in the veins of the legs and can be quite painful. Shiitake mushrooms contain high levels of lenthionine, which prevents platelets from aggregating.

5. Rich in Iron

Shiitake mushrooms are rich in iron, a mineral which is essential for maintaining good health. Iron improves the circulation of oxygen through your blood. As a result, oxygen and other nutrients are effectively supplied to your muscle cells, brain and other parts of the body. Iron is also used to treat anemia, so if you are anemic as a result of menstruation or pregnancy, make sure you incorporate plenty of shiitake mushrooms into your diet. Iron can also boost your energy level and prevent fatigue.

6. Aids in Weight Loss

If you are currently trying to lose weight, shiitake mushrooms make a great diet food. Not only do they contain a small amount of calories, but they are also packed with plenty of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber slows down digestion so you feel full for a longer period of time.

7. Inhibits the HIV Virus

The most recent development in shiitake medical research involves the use of shiitake extract to inhibit the reproduction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in tissue culture. Researchers working at Japan's Yamaguchi University School of Medicine have reported that shiitake extract has a "protective effect" that inhibits the usual cell-destroying effects of the HIV virus. Researchers have noted that substances such as shiitake, which both enhance the immune response and have anti-viral effects, should be further evaluated for the treatment of AIDS.

8. Anti bacterial properties to kill fungus and skin diseases

In addition to fighting cancer, inhibiting the growth of viruses, and lowering cholesterol, shiitake have potent antibiotic effects against other organisms. A substance called cortinelin, a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, which has been isolated from shiitake, kills a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. A sulfide compound extracted from shiitake has been found to have an effect against the fungus that causes ringworm and other skin diseases.