Shiitake Mushrooms 80 g, 40 g, 20 g

Shiitake Mushrooms – 80 g ($12.99), 40 g ($8.99), 20 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Shiitake is good for preventing high blood pressure and heart disease, controlling cholesterol levels, building resistance to viruses and other causes of infections, and fighting diseases such as cancer.

Research indicates that lentinan extracted from shiitake may help some people with hepatitis. Case reports from Japan suggest that lentinan also may be helpful in treating people with HIV/AIDS. Lentinan is generally administered by injection and has been used as an agent to prolong the survival of people receiving conventional cancer therapy. It is an approved drug in Japan to prolong survival in patients with cancer who are undergoing conventional therapies. It is also used to prevent the increase in chromosomal damage induced by anticancer drugs.

Cancer   Japanese physicians have long used lentinan’s immune-stimulating capabilities in cancer treatment. Lentinan does not attack cancer cells directly. Instead, it activates the immune system’s lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) and natural killer (NK) cells to combat various types of cancers, including carcinoma, hepatoma, and sarcoma. Lentinan also counteracts the formation of prostaglandins that cause inflammation and keep the immune system’s T cells from reaching maturity. In addition, specific to colon cancer cells, lentinan can suppress cytochrome 450 1A enzymes, which are known to metabolize pro-carcinogens to active forms and stop cancer cells from forming.

Japanese physicians have found that lentinan stimulates the capacity of specialized blood cells to produce immune-system chemicals, mainly interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), that prevent the growth and spread of cancer. Lentinan may be useful when surgery is not feasible.

Stomach cancer is unusually difficult to treat because the early symptoms are often so vague that the cancer is usually quite advanced by the time it is detected. Japanese physicians have found that when surgery for advanced stomach cancer is feasible, treatment with a combination of lentinan and chemotherapy improves the quality of life. In one case, a patient whose stomach cancer had spread to the liver and lymph nodes was still alive five years after surgery. The tumours in his liver disappeared after seventeen months of combined treatment with lentinan and the chemotherapy preparation uracil plus ftorafur (UFT).

Japanese physicians also use lentinan to treat breast cancer in women who have had mastectomies without follow-up radiation therapy. When chemotherapy is used, lentinan may help prevent immune-system damage if given before treatment begins. In addition, Japanese studies in animals have shown that lentinan increases the effectiveness of cancer treatment with a specific type of interleukin-2 (IL-2). When used together, the two treatments help prevent the spread of breast cancers to the lung.

Even if cancer has spread to the lung, lentinan can increase survival time. In a group of sixteen people with advanced cancer, Japanese medical researchers injected lentinan directly into malignant areas. All of the patients eventually died, but the average survival time of patients who responded to the treatment was 129 days, compared with 49 days for those who did not respond to the treatment. In another study, patients with pancreatic cancer survived longer when taking 0.14 milligram of lentinan per gram of the shiitake plant. The patients experienced an increase in killer T lymphocytes and a decrease in interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2; these changes were thought to boost the immune system and fight the cancer.

On the other hand, patients with prostate cancer who took shiitake mushroom extract for six months had no improvement in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (it should have decreased by 50 percent). In fact, in half of the patients, the disease progressed.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Japanese physicians report that lentinan is useful for low natural killer cell syndrome (LNKS), a disease that causes disabling fatigue. This disease causes symptoms that are similar to those of CFS as it is diagnosed in the West. Injected lentinan treatment dosage is 2 milligrams, or 5 milligrams daily taken orally, and has been successful in reversing symptoms, including remittent fever, persistent fatigue, and low NK cell activity.

High cholesterol. Shiitake is beneficial in lowering levels of both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol. In animal studies using eritadenine, a chemical found in shiitake, total cholesterol levels were reduced by 25 percent in one week. This effect was more pronounced in subjects who ate high-fat diets than in those on low-fat diets. In another study, subjects consumed ten dried medium-sized mushrooms a day and the reduction in total cholesterol levels ranged from 36 to 45 percent. In animals, shiitake seems to lower blood pressure as well.

HIV infection. Lentinan, the protein component of shiitake, has strong antifungal properties and suppresses HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, thereby slowing HIV replication. When administered intravenously to patients with HIV infection, there was a statistical increase in CD4 cells and other white blood counts. However, some side effects occurred, such as breathing difficulty and GI upset. In one study, another part of shiitake, LEM, a carbohydrate xylose-rich extract, was given to HIV patients. Patients used 6 to 9 grams of LEM daily for three to twenty-five months, and symptoms improved in every patient. It seems to work in part by preventing HIV from infiltrating the important immune cells, T lymphocytes.

Nutrients  Shiitake are low in calories. They also offer good amounts of fiber, as well as B vitamins and some minerals.
The nutrients in 4 dried shiitake (15 grams) are:
Calories: 44
Carbs: 11 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Riboflavin: 11% of the Daily Value (DV)
Niacin: 11% of the DV
Copper: 39% of the DV
Vitamin B5: 33% of the DV
Selenium: 10% of the DV
Manganese: 9% of the DV
Zinc: 8% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 7% of the DV
Folate: 6% of the DV
Vitamin D: 6% of the DV

In addition, shiitake contain many of the same amino acids as meat. They also boast polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, and lipids, some of which have immune-boosting, cholesterol-lowering, and anticancer effects. The amount of bioactive compounds in shiitake depends on how and where the mushrooms are grown, stored, and prepared.

Heart Health  Shiitake mushrooms may boost heart health. For example, they have three compounds that help lower cholesterol.
Eritadenine       This compound inhibits an enzyme involved in producing cholesterol.
Sterols                 These molecules help block cholesterol absorption in your gut.
Beta glucans     This type of fiber can lower cholesterol.

One study in rats with high blood pressure found that shiitake powder prevented an increase in blood pressure. A study in lab rats fed a high-fat diet demonstrated that those given shiitake developed less fat in their livers, less plaque on their artery walls, and lower cholesterol levels than those that didn’t eat any mushrooms.

One of the unique enzymes found in shiitake mushrooms eritadenine, can help prevent the constriction of blood vessels and thus lower blood pressure. This can be very important for people who are at high risk for cardiovascular complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.

A per a 2011 research study, some of the compounds in shiitake mushrooms can inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver and can prevent plaque from building up on the walls of arteries and blood vessels. The antioxidant effects of these mushrooms have also been linked to lower overall cholesterol levels and a faster metabolism. Furthermore, the sulphuric compounds in shiitake mushrooms can prevent blood aggregation, or clotting, which further boosts cardiovascular health and helps to prevent potentially deadly cardiac events.

Immune System  Shiitake may also help strengthen your immune system. One study gave people two dried shiitake daily. After one month, their immune markers improved and their inflammation levels dropped. This immune effect might be partly due to one of the polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms. While people’s immune systems tend to weaken with age, a mouse study found that a supplement derived from shiitake helped reverse some age-related decline in immune function.

A research paper by the University of Florida, published in the Journal of American College of Nutrition, suggests that shiitake mushrooms help boost the immune function. Additionally, there are many different antioxidants present in shiitake mushrooms, along with vitamin C, which is well known for its effects on the immune system. More importantly, certain messaging molecules found in shiitake mushrooms can improve the efficacy of our immune system and speed up its response time to potentially harmful allergens and other substances.

Cancer  Polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms may also have an anticancer effect. For example, the polysaccharide lentinan helps fight tumours by activating your immune system. Lentinan has been shown to inhibit the growth and spread of leukemia cells. In China and Japan, an injectable form of lentinan is used alongside chemotherapy and other major cancer treatments to improve immune function and quality of life in people with gastric cancer.

Antibacterial And Antiviral  Several compounds in shiitake have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. As antibiotic resistance is growing, some scientists think it’s important to explore the antimicrobial potential of shiitake. That said, while isolated compounds show antimicrobial activity in test tubes, eating shiitake is unlikely to have any effect on viral, bacterial, or fungal infections in people.

Bone Strengthening  Mushrooms are the only natural plant source of vitamin D. Your body needs vitamin D to build strong bones, yet very few foods contain this important nutrient. The vitamin D levels of mushrooms vary depending on how they’re grown. When exposed to UV light, they develop higher levels of this compound.

In one study, mice fed a low-calcium, low-vitamin-D diet developed symptoms of osteoporosis. In comparison, those given calcium and UV-enhanced shiitake had higher bone density. However, keep in mind that shiitake provide vitamin D2. This is an inferior form compared with vitamin D3, which is found in fatty fish and some other animal foods.

Aside from vitamin C, one of the most crucial components of collagen is copper. Collagen is required for the creation of all tissues, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and skin in the body, and with shiitake mushrooms being the 4th most dense copper source available in our diet, we can certainly increase our growth and repair rates with a steady stream of this nutrient-rich fungi.

Skin Care  There is an incredible amount of antioxidant compounds in shiitake mushrooms that provide an excellent defence against free radicals and oxidative stress throughout the body. These help in protecting the skin from signs of aging such as wrinkles, while also reducing the appearance of scars and blemishes and promoting a healthy glow to the skin. With a good amount of selenium, these mushrooms have also been called a natural acne treatment, as deficiencies in this mineral are often linked to acne symptoms.

Weight Loss  A 2014 study in the Nutrients journal says that consuming shiitake mushrooms for combating obesity is a great way to deal attain your weight loss goals.

The nutrient density of shiitake mushrooms, in comparison to their caloric value, makes them an excellent food for people trying to lose weight. In 100 grams of these mushrooms, there are approximately 35 calories, so you can boost your mineral and antioxidant levels without compromising your calorie limits, in addition to stimulating the metabolism and circulation, which can aid in weight loss efforts.

Inflammation  Consuming even small amounts of these mushrooms has been shown to cause a reduction in inflammatory molecules in the bloodstream that blocks the signal to muscles and tissues. This can be of great help for people with arthritis, gout, migraines, inflammatory bowel conditions, and other irritation issues.

Circulation  Copper is a key component in our health, although often overlooked. It can increase the amount of iron that the body takes in, and since there these mushrooms have a high content of copper, this can be a crucial element for healthy circulation. Iron is needed in the production of red blood cells, which can boost energy levels and resource delivery to certain parts of the body.

Digestion  The antimicrobial effects and immune system-boosting properties of these mushrooms make them ideal for digestion. Eating small to moderate amounts of these mushrooms may balance the bacterial balance in your gut, improve digestion (thanks to the dietary fiber levels) and even increase the uptake efficiency of nutrients like iron and calcium.

Energy  B vitamins are often misunderstood and forgotten about, but they play a key role in metabolism and energy production. Shiitake mushrooms happen to have high levels of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, vitamin B3, and folate, all of which optimize many of the body’s functions. Furthermore, half a cup of shiitake mushrooms provides more than 70% of your daily recommended amount of copper, which is also a crucial element in energy metabolism.

Stress  With so many antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, diterpenoids, vitamin C, vitamin A, gallic acid, and others, shiitake mushrooms can significantly cut down on oxidative stress throughout the body. These active compounds are known to seek out and neutralize free radicals before they can cause chronic disease, premature aging, and cognitive problems.

Oral Health, Cavities  Shiitake mushroom extracts have been playing a key role in preventing and treating oral diseases for a long time. Research by the Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, India, suggests that these mushrooms have potent antifungal and antibacterial properties that help overcome antibiotic resistance without altering oral microflora.

Recommended Use
Shiitake can be eaten in food. It is also available in tablets, syrups, and tinctures. People with bladder cancer should not use raw shiitake, as it contains a chemical known to cause this disease.

Shiitake has a good record of safety but may cause temporary diarrhea and abdominal bloating when used in high dosages. Allergic reactions to shiitake are very rare, but when they do occur, they produce a characteristic whorl, similar to hives, on skin exposed to sunlight. There have been reports of patients with lung cancer experiencing decreased lung function from prolonged exposure to shiitake spores. Other reports of side effects include dermatitis, photosensitivity, and food allergy to the shiitake itself. Chronic use may increase eosinophil count, which is indicative of an allergic reaction.

The therapeutic actions of lentinan are highly dose-dependent. Given by injection twice a week, 1 milligram of lentinan is enough to have a therapeutic effect, while doses of more than 10 milligrams of lentinan per week can suppress the immune system. This type of lentinan therapy requires that the health-care provider pay careful attention to the individual’s condition and circumstances. Lentinan is also available in powder form. (For sources of powdered lentinan, see Appendix B: Resources.).

Botanical Name. Lentinus edodes
English: Shiitake Mushrooms
Also, known as:
Origin: China
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Fungus

General Information:
Lentimus edodes is the first medicinal macrofungus to enter the realm of modern biotechnology. It is the second most popular edible mushroom in the global market which is attributed not only to its nutritional value but also to the possible potential for therapeutic applications. The shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries. It is considered a medicinal mushroom in some forms of traditional medicine, Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) is a type of edible fungus. It’s native to Japan and China, and contains a chemical called lentinan. Shiitake mushrooms are the second most commonly eaten mushrooms in the world. Lentinan and other chemicals in shiitake mushrooms might stimulate the immune system. Shiitake mushrooms are low in calories. They also offer many vitamins, minerals, and other health-promoting compounds. Shiitake mushrooms have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. They’re also part of the medical traditions of Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.