Mushrooms Boost Immune System
A major upgrade to Body’s defenses
Here are some of the ways that mushrooms can boost the immune system, Meaning lesser medical bills and less getting sick!
Activating immune cells: Certain compounds found in mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, can bind to immune cells and activate them, thereby increasing their ability to fight infections and diseases.
Increasing cytokine production: Cytokines are proteins that play a crucial role in regulating the immune response. Mushrooms can stimulate the production of cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which can help to enhance the immune response.
Enhancing antibody production: Mushrooms can also stimulate the production of antibodies, which are proteins that help to identify and neutralize harmful pathogens.
Modulating immune function: Some compounds found in mushrooms, such as polysaccharides and triterpenoids, can help to modulate immune function by regulating the activity of immune cells and cytokines. This can help to maintain a balanced and healthy immune response. Oyster Mushrooms contain certain polysaccharides, beta-D-glucans. These compounds naturally boost the immune system by optimising its response to disease and infections. Over 150 years of research has found that beta glucans act as immunomodulator agents, they trigger a cascade of events that help to regulate the immune system making it more efficient.
Specifically, beta glucans stimulate the activity of macrophages – immune cells that ingest and demolish invading pathogens and stimulate other immune cells to attack. Macrophages also release cytokines, chemicals that when secreted enable the immune cells to communicate with one another. In addition, beta glucans stimulate white blood cells (lymphocytes) that bind to tumours or viruses, and release chemicals to destroy them.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Inflammation is a natural immune response that can become chronic and lead to various diseases if left unchecked. Mushrooms contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and prevent the onset of chronic diseases.
A 2005 report published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine says mushrooms Improve Immunity and Lower Inflammation. As they contain “compounds and complex substances with antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antiallergic, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities.” This means is mushrooms enhance almost every system in the body and protect you from numerous diseases.
Mushrooms lower inflammation root cause of most diseases. Mushrooms also help alkalize the body, improving immunity. A balanced pH level is crucial to health . According to experts, “disease cannot grow in an alkaline environment.”
Mushrooms possess strong antibacterial and antifungal compounds that allow them to thrive in their natural environment. They have special abilities to fight multi-resistant bacterial strains and microorganisms linked to gut and skin problems. Interestingly, fungal extracts found in mushrooms have also been used to create antibiotics like penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline.
Eastern medical practitioners for more than 5,000 years considered mushrooms to have powerful immune-boosting and protective properties. Now there is proof in an abundance in conventional scientific research.
Immune training: In olden days we used to drink raw water and be exposed to micro organisms that sort of trained our immunity. Our ancestors naturally got much stimulation as they were more exposed to microorganisms when they drank unfiltered river water etc. Mushrooms similarly train the immune function. They have compounds that resemble a microbe. Our immune cells sense this and respond. This provides a workout for our immune systems, making them stronger over time.
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