A mushie is soft, squidgy, and squelchy. It can be used to describe a sentimental, maudlin person or an overly sloppy or weepy dish. It can also be a type of health-boosting dietary supplement.
Because supplements are loosely regulated, mushroom products often make claims that sound extraordinary. Chaga mushrooms, for instance, claim to boost energy and mood, while cordyceps say they improve endurance and reishi claim cancer-fighting properties.
Adaptogens
Adaptogens are herbs that help your body resist and cope with mental, physical and environmental stressors. They also enhance memory, increase endurance, and improve concentration and focus.
They do this by acting as low molecular-weight “vaccines” or stress-mimetic compounds that trigger mild activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to reduce sensitivity to stressful conditions and regulate key mediators such as heat shock proteins, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1) and forkhead box O transcription factor DAF-16.
When taken regularly, they can be a useful tool to add to your stress-management arsenal along with exercise, sleep and mindfulness or meditation. But keep in mind that supplements are less regulated than prescription drugs and can interact with medications, including high blood pressure and diabetes medicines.
Anti-inflammatory
From the chaga mushroom that helps boost energy to the cordyceps that increases endurance, mushrooms are on the rise in popularity. But not only are they tasty, they also offer many health benefits. These include boosting immunity, increasing energy levels, and reducing cancer growth.
But while these claims are exciting, they are often misleading, according to Money. Unlike drugs, manufacturers of nutritional supplements are allowed to stretch health claims so long as they don’t imply that their products treat or cure disease. These claims are typically based on the presence of a mushroom’s polysaccharide, which has immunomodulatory properties. In addition, they contain copper and selenium, which are essential for normal immune function.
Anti-cancer
Mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps, and lion’s mane have been shown to boost immunity in laboratory tests. But clinical trials are still lacking.
One study shows that a compound in turkey tail mushrooms, polysaccharide-K (PSK), can help stimulate the immune system and improve survival for patients with gastric or colon cancer. Another mushroom compound, lentinan, has also been shown to reduce tumor growth.
Besides their medicinal properties, edible mushrooms are low in calories and contain B vitamins, essential minerals, and antioxidants. They also provide selenium and vitamin D. Plus, they’re an excellent source of protein and prebiotics. They can even help boost energy levels and prevent depression.
Anti-diabetic
Mushrooms may not be the most appetizing foods, but they are a superfood. They are low in calories, high in protein and fiber, and a good source of vitamin D. They also contain the antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione. They are also a source of copper, selenium, and B vitamins.
Rebekah says she is constantly seeking new ways to keep her team happy and healthy. She sends out surveys to find out what benefits her team wants. For example, she recently offered dental insurance for the first time. She found that her employees loved the idea of having cost-effective dental coverage. This demonstrates the importance of understanding your audience when it comes to offering benefits.
Anti-hyperlipidemic
Mushrooms are the latest health trend. They’re popping up on menus at trendy restaurants, and even adorning models on runways in collections like Stella McCartney’s Spring/Summer 2022.
Hyperlipidemia, characterized by high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, is one of the risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). It can be managed by dietary control and the use of drugs such as bile acid sequestrants or cholestyramine.
However, these substances are expensive and not widely available. Medicinal mushrooms such as chaga, cordyceps and lion’s mane offer alternative options that are easier to find and more cost-effective. They also offer a wide range of benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
Anti-stress
Mushrooms are a trendy superfood that’s popping up everywhere. You can find them in smoothies and burgers, and on the runways of designers like Stella McCartney. They’re also the subject of research into their potential for fighting stress.
But robust research is lacking, and more studies are needed to understand the effects of these herbs. Until then, we recommend sticking with your regular meds to manage stress symptoms.