Dare To Be Aware | Alternative Healing Portal

Mushrooms have no calories or cholesterol and are practically fat and sodium free

By Viola Woolcott

Thinking about mushrooms, we may just consider them as a tasty supplement to salads or casseroles. There are thousands of different species and varieties of mushrooms with a great range of size, shape, texture and colour. The tastes go beyond the basic tastes of sweet, bitter, sour and salty. Most of them provide a wealth of proteins, fibres, the B Vitamins as well as Vitamin C, Calcium and a number of minerals. In fact, at least these three types, maitake, shiitake and reishi have demonstrated exceptional healing potential. Researchers claim that these medicinal mushrooms show to support a healthy heart, reduce inflammation, lower the risks of certain cancers, fight allergies, encourage immune functions, protect against viruses, bacteria and fungi, aids in balancing blood sugar levels as well as maintaining the body’s detoxification mechanisms.

Mushrooms have effectively been used for medical purposes for thousands of years and they also have a long history of their use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Recent studies also support their legendary effects on promoting good health and vitality as well as increasing the body’s adaptive abilities. These studies also suggest that mushrooms are Probiotic, which means that they support our bodies strengthen themselves and fight off illnesses/diseases by maintaining physiological homeostasis. The body balances and naturally resists illnesses/diseases.

Maitake, shiitake and reishi mushrooms contain many overlapping characteristics. All three boost the immune system, maintain the cardiovascular health as well as showing promise in the lowering of the risk of/or treating certain cancers.

It has been suggested that maitake mushroom is specifically for stomach and intestines as well as for the maintenance of the blood sugar levels.

Shiitake mushrooms are recommended in the treatment of the liver, nutritional deficiencies, fatigue, viruses, colds and energy loss. Did you know that shiitake mushrooms contain a compound called lentian and that in Japan and China they are being used in the treatment of cancer?

Reishi mushrooms are said to promote respiratory health as well as spirituality. Did you know that reishi extracts creates an antihistamine action that can aid in the control of allergies and that it has also shown to be beneficial in stopping the growth of cancerous tumours?

Certain mushrooms provide more potassium than some foods best known as sources for this mineral. One serving of white mushrooms provides more potassium than an orange or even a tomato and Portobello mushrooms have more potassium than that of a glass of orange juice. Our bodies just can’t do without the mineral potassium as it aids in the maintenance of normal heart rhythm and fluid balance as well as muscle and nerve functions. Potassium has disease-fighting properties and diets that contain good sources of the mineral and are low in sodium are claimed to decrease the possibility of high blood pressure as well as experiencing a stroke.

Although mushrooms are actually fungi, they are very often grouped with vegetables and fruit. Nutritionally speaking they are in a class of their own, even though they share some of the benefits of vegetables and fruits. Mushrooms have no calories or cholesterol and they are practically fat and sodium free. They are also a good source of riboflavin, niacin, iron, zinc, chitin and chiton.

Filed under: Health and Diet on December 9th, 2007