8 Healing Mushroom Benefits + How to Use Them

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Harness the healing powers of medicinal mushrooms with these top eight varieties. Add them to your diet or take them as a supplement to reap full mushroom benefits!

Mushrooms have been prized for thousands of years across the world, not only for their range of flavors and meaty textures, but also for their health benefits.

A special class of these mushrooms, referred to as “medicinal” mushrooms, have been exploding onto the health scene lately for their ability to fight cancer, boost immunity, and even help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes.

Read on to see how these mushroom benefits work and why these varieties of forest medicine deserve a spot on your plate every day.

1. Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushrooms are a species of fungus that flourish in cold northern climates, growing mainly on birch trees. While their appearance is nothing like other exotic-looking mushrooms (they look similar to tree bark), they remain one of the most impressive of medicinal mushrooms.

Chaga have been extensively studied for their ability to been inhibit tumor and cancer growth, with one study showing chaga extract can potentially prevent the growth of liver cancer cells. Another study on mice showed a 60 percent tumor size reduction when they supplemented with chaga.

But the mushroom benefits don’t stop there. Other studies have shown that chaga contains several compounds that stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation and even improve physical endurance.

How to Use Chaga Mushrooms

The most popular way to ingest chaga mushroom is to brew it into a tea. To do this, you can either use either large chunks of chaga or grind it into a fine powder.

Add about three small chunks (or two teaspoons of chaga powder) to two cups of boiling water. Let it steep for at least three minutes. Then pour into a mug, add stevia or raw honey to taste, and enjoy!

2. Reishi Mushroom

Reishi is native to East Asia and boasts an impressive list of mushroom benefits. For starters, reishi, like chaga, is considered a natural cancer fighter due to its ability to inhibit the spread of cancer cells, boost natural immune killer cells (these help rid the body of mutated “foreign” cells), and reduce inflammation.

In addition, reishi has also been shown to reduce the severity of allergic reactions through its beneficial action on the immune system, as well as having anti-diabetic effects on blood glucose.

How to Use Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi is most commonly taken in powder or capsule form, as it has a naturally bitter taste. When you search for a reishi product, make sure to check the label to verify that the species name, Ganoderma lucidum, is listed without any additional ingredients. Also check the dosages, as these can vary wildly among brands.

3. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s mane is an odd-looking fungus (yes, it really does look like the fur around a lion’s head) that has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is still used extensively today throughout Korea, Japan, and China.

Lion’s mane is a powerful medicinal mushroom that can be used to boost immunity, fight cancer, and even prevent depression. Brain health is another huge benefit that lion’s mane has up its sleeves.

Studies have shown it can improve cognitive function, improve spatial and visual memory recognition in mice with Alzheimer’s, and even regenerate neural nerves.

How to Use Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Lion’s mane can be taken in powder or capsule form. If taking as a powder, you can try adding it to smoothies or soups.

In addition, you can also cook lion’s mane – many say it has a taste similar to lobster when pan-fried, so don’t be afraid to add it to your next stir-fry or soup.

4. Shiitake Mushroom

You may think shiitake mushrooms are just used for flavor, but in reality these ‘shrooms have major health benefits.

For one, studies show compounds in shiitake, such as b-glucan fiber, help promote satiety and fight fat gain. Other research shows shiitake can effectively destroy cancer cells, reduce inflammation and significantly improve immune function.

How to Use Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms have a smooth, earthy flavor that taste great in omelets, stir-fry, stews, casseroles, and even sautéed as a salad topping.

5. Cremini (Button) Mushroom

Interestingly, cremini, or “button” mushrooms, also help protect against cancer, but in a different way than other medicinal mushrooms. Cremini mushrooms contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a beneficial acid that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth as well as create positive changes in the immune system to help kill cancer cells.

In addition, cremini mushrooms can also help protect against leaky gut due to their high selenium and antioxidant content. As a bonus, these antioxidants also help protect against oxidative stress, which can damage DNA and cause premature aging.

How to Use Cremini Mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms have such a mild flavor and meaty texture that they work well in any vegetable or meat-based dish. Sauté them with onions and garlic for a quick veggie side, add them to omelets or scrambles, or slice them and toss them in a salad.

6. Chanterelle Mushroom

Chanterelle mushrooms, which look much like a yellow blooming flower, have been prized as a culinary delicacy across Europe and Asia for decades. Aside from their decadent flavor, chanterelles are also rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants that protect against aging and DNA damage.

Studies have also shown they have significant antimicrobial activity, with researchers stating they could be used to produce drugs that fight a wide range of bad bacteria and fungi.

How to Use Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chanterelles taste best when sautéed with sliced bacon, olive oil or any other flavorful fat. Try adding garlic and onions, then purée with broth to create a creamy soup!

7. Maitake Mushroom

Maitake mushrooms can be found growing wild beneath oak and maple trees across North America and Japan. They have been studied for their ability to prevent and treat breast cancer as well as help block tumor growth in mice.

In addition, maitake has been shown to have a positive effect on glucose levels, which could make it a potential natural treatment for type 2 diabetes.

How to Use Maitake Mushrooms

Maitake can be added to hearty recipes just like cremini or shiitake mushrooms. You can also find it in extract as a liquid or capsule supplement. If you decide to go this route, make sure you look for maitake D-Fraction as the extract.

8. Enoki Mushroom

Enoki mushrooms, with their long, noodle-like arms, hail from Japan. They are mildly sweet and crunchy, and contain a range of nutrients like B vitamins, trace minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which has been shown to help prevent obesity.

Enoki mushrooms may also be potent cancer fighters, much like most of the medicinal mushrooms listed here.

A 2009 study showed enoki extracts significantly improved survival rates of mice infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. Researchers believe this response is due to enoki’s ability to boost immune and nitric oxide production in order to destroy disease cells.

How to Use Enoki Mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms are often featured in Asian dishes like noodle soups. Enjoy them raw in salads (just wipe them off with a paper towel first), or cook them in a stir-fry.

Watch this video – How to Consume Medicinal Mushrooms + 3 Surprising Benefits

The Bottom Line

As you can see, the mushroom benefits hidden within even the simplest of varieties (like cremini) we take for granted are quite astounding. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add several more varieties to your dishes and your diet.

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

4 Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms and How to Use Them

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Discover the healing powers of mushrooms – one of the best superfoods for naturally relieving stress and anxiety.

Medicinal mushrooms, such as chaga, lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps, have been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for everything from cancer prevention and fertility to coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

While the history and use of medicinal mushrooms is well documented in alternative medicine, they’ve only recently gained mainstream popularity for helping the mind and body cope with stress.

How Medicinal Mushrooms Work for Mind and Body Stress Relief

All medicinal mushrooms have adaptogenic properties, which means they help “normalize” the negative effects of stress on the body, and help you cope, respond, and adapt to stress better. Adaptogens help lower cortisol levels (the primary hormone released in response to stress).

While cortisol is helpful in the short-term, it can wreak havoc on your body when it stays elevated for long periods of time. If you’re irritable, anxious, exhausted, and moody on the regular, high cortisol levels could be why.

On the surface, high cortisol can turn you into a rollercoaster of emotions, and make it challenging to keep up with the ebb and flow of daily life.

On a deeper level, elevated cortisol causes chronic inflammation in the body, which can lead to chronic fatigue, digestive issues, thyroid issues, cognitive impairment, fertility issues, and belly fat gain – just to name a few.

Since chronic stress has become the norm for today’s society, there’s no better time than now to consider supplementing with medicinal mushrooms. Let’s take a closer look at how specific medicinal mushrooms can help find natural relief from daily stress.

Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms

1. Reishi Mushroom May Improve Sleep Quality

Not many people can sleep like a baby when they’re stressed and anxious. Feeling overwhelmed, worry, and overthinking can paralyze you, making it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up in the morning – which only creates more stress when you’re trying to stick to a healthy routine.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, reishi mushroom is known as the mushroom for “spiritual potency,” well-being, and longevity. It’s one of the most common mushrooms recommended for improving sleep quality, calming the mind, and treating insomnia.

Reishi contains nutrients that calm and support the nervous system, such as calcium, magnesium, and a number of antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative damage – a negative effect of stress that can lead to weakened immunity and premature aging.

2. Chaga Mushrooms Reduce Systemic Inflammation

According to research, most medicinal mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties. However, chaga mushrooms may be especially helpful for reducing the systemic inflammation that’s caused by chronic stress.

Now, the reason why it’s important to address systemic inflammation as soon as possible is because research shows it’s the primary underlying cause of most Western illnesses and diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, autoimmune conditions, and type 2 diabetes.

While it may seem like a bit of a stretch to say that stress causes serious illness and disease, as a leading cause of systemic inflammation, this isn’t far-fetched.

Chaga helps reduce inflammation by helping to lower elevated cortisol levels, and studies show it also has the ability to reduce inflammation in the GI tract. Chaga may also be helpful for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a digestive condition that’s often triggered by stress.

3. Cordyceps Mushrooms Increase Energy and Reduce Brain Fog

If you find yourself tripping over your words or you have difficulty remembering what you were about to do 2 minutes ago, stress can impair cognitive function by causing short-term memory loss, brain fog, and mental exhaustion.

Not only do cordyceps mushrooms reduce cortisol levels to help lower the stress response, but they’re also shown to improve oxygen uptake in the body, which is essential for boosting energy levels and improving mental focus and concentration. It’s not a bad idea to sip on some cordyceps tea during exams or intense work weeks!

4. Lion’s Mane Supports Overall Cognitive Function

Lion’s mane mushroom has been studied for stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production – the primary neuropeptide involved in the maintenance and growth of neurons, which receive and transmit information in the brain.

For this reason, lion’s mane has been studied for its use in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, and it may also help improve overall cognitive function during periods of stress.

One study took a look at the effects of lion’s mane in patients with mild cognitive impairment, and found that over the course of 16 weeks, cognitive function significantly improved.

Further research suggests the cognitive boosting benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms are most effective when taken regularly over longer periods of time, so it may be worth adding to your daily supplement routine as an ongoing, preventative measure against stress when it arises.

How to Take Medicinal Mushrooms and Where to Find Them

Medicinal mushrooms can be taken in many way ways, from dried in whole form and brewed into tea to taken as capsules or powdered supplements. Mushrooms are also one of the best foods for enhancing the flavor of your savory recipes.

Cook medicinal mushrooms in your bone broth, soups, stews, and homemade burger patties. You can even add them in powdered form to your coffee and smoothies!

Most health food stores carry medicinal mushrooms in supplement form, and you can even grow your own medicinal mushrooms at home by purchasing a mushroom starter kit online.

If you’re looking for something quick and convenient, companies like Four Sigmatic have crafted a variety of stress-busting, cognitive-boosting mushroom coffees, elixirs, and hot cacao mixes.

Medicinal mushrooms are an ideal way to keep your energy, brain function, and overall health in check during periods of stress – which is when you’re most vulnerable to experiencing health symptoms and illness.

While medicinal mushrooms show promising benefits for conditions related to stress, such as depression and anxiety, be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare practitioner before taking medicinal mushrooms, as they may interact with certain medications and cause negative side effects.

Watch this video – A medicinal mushroom guide from Four Sigmatic’s founder

Written by Brandi Black

Author Bio:

Brandi Black is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and the creator of Feel Best Naked, a health blog for women who want to clear up their skin, lose the muffin top and make the bloat disappear. After years of experiencing (and then healing) her own unbalanced hormones, she’s now obsessed with helping other women feel spectacular in their own skin with natural remedies for hormone balance.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

2 Choline Natural Benefits and Signs of Choline Deficiency

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

What is choline? Its natural benefits, signs of a deficiency, and how you can boost your choline for optimal health, improved memory and increased resiliency.

So, you’ve decided to get back to the gym and finally make good on your promise to yourself to lose a few pounds, improve your fitness, and upgrade your health. If you’re already following a Paleo approach and eating a nutrient-dense diet, you’re on the right track.

However, one unsung water-soluble vitamin that you may never have heard of might make all the difference in improving fitness, strength, and the capacity to cope with stress.

Not quite a vitamin, choline is a key nutrient generally considered to be part of the B-complex group of vitamins. While it may not get the fanfare of more popular B-vitamins like niacin, folic acid, or vitamin-B12, new research is highlighting that choline may the gateway to better brain function, strength, and even increasing your resilience (your capacity to cope with stress).

Choline is used in a variety of key systems of the body, supporting optimal nervous system function, keeping your cell membranes strong, ferrying triglycerides (e.g. body fat) to the liver, and keeping your brain sharp.

Choline is also the building block for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a key role in keeping your memory sharp and muscles firing on all cylinders.

Let’s take a closer look at how choline can benefit key areas of your health.

Can Choline Make You Stronger in The Gym?

Many of the positive adaptations you experience from exercise occur because of improved nervous system function.

Therefore, a great way to improve your strength and performance in the gym (and subsequently build more muscle and burn more fat) is to improve your nervous system function.

You might not realize it, but when lifting heavy weights, you don’t get stronger via hypertrophy (more muscle fibers), but rather, because of better nervous system function.

Research shows that many key adaptations to training are neurological, making choline intake (and subsequent acetylcholine production) important for improving performance and power in the gym.

A recent study examined the effects of increasing acetylcholine levels on upper-body and lower-body strength. The athletes were asked to supplement with a specific type of choline called alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (or alpha-GPC for short), a precursor to acetylcholine, in the morning and evening for one week.

After only seven days, the group adding more choline to their diet generated significantly greater power during the lower-body exercise (i.e. mid-thigh pull) compared to the placebo group.

Building more strength in the lower body by performing squats, deadlifts, lunges, and Olympic lifts is crucial for increasing lean muscle and making you a fat-burning machine.

Can Choline Improve Resiliency?

It’s tough to maintain your energy and vitality through the winter months. The shorter, darker, and colder days are more taxing on your body, requiring increased production of the stress hormone cortisol to get you through your day. Also, long days at work and constantly being on the go also increase stress hormones and can leave you tired, sick and run-down.

Choline plays a key role in supporting your resilience or capacity to cope with stress via its impact on your brain. The hippocampus area of the brain is responsible for establishing your daily cortisol rhythm, as well as converting your short-term memory to long-term.

Stress damages the hippocampus and throws off your natural daily production of cortisol, leaving you struggling to get out of bed every morning (i.e. hitting “snooze” multiple times) or “tired but wired” at bedtime and unable to fall asleep.

How do you know if this might be affecting you?

If you’ve been struggling to remember things at work, where you put your cell-phone, or what to pick up for dinner, these are all sure-fire signs stress is impacting your brain in a negative way.

Acetylcholine is one of the main building blocks for the hippocampus, so adding more choline-rich foods to your diet can help reset your daily circadian hormone pattern and ultimately improve your resiliency.

Getting older and want to protect your brain? Choline plays a key role in fighting off age-related dementia and cognitive decline.

Get More Choline in Your Diet

Your diet should always be the first place you look to ensure you’re meeting your vitamin, mineral, and nutrient needs. How do you know if you might be deficient, or have insufficient intake to meet the demands of your busy work and training schedule?

Common symptoms include short-term memory loss (i.e., you can’t remember where you left things), losing your train of thought mid-conversation, reduced reaction time, reduced appetite for exercise, increased cravings for fatty foods, irritability, mood swings, and fatigue.

Dietary choline is typically found in the form of phosphatidylcholine, a type of fat that has choline as its main building block. You’ll notice on the list below that a Paleo diet is a great way to get more choline-rich foods into your regimen.

Eggs are your best option to really boost choline intake. Each egg yolk provides over 100 mg of choline — another great reason to not be afraid of the yolk!

Another great option is organ meats. For example, a 3 oz. portion of beef liver provides about 250 mg of choline.

Here is a list of the best dietary sources of choline:

• Eggs – 110 mg choline per yolk
• Beef liver – 250 mg choline per 3 oz.
• Wild Salmon – 224 mg per filet (with skin)
• Pumpkin & sunflower seeds – 60 mg per cup
• Cruciferous veggies (e.g. Broccoli, Cauliflower, Asparagus) – 75 mg per cup
• Dairy – 45 mg choline per 8 ounces (note: pasteurization destroys 70-80 percent)*

It’s important to note that your dietary choline levels are linked to the rate of acetylcholine production, so ensuring you get enough choline in your diet is the first step toward upgrading your acetylcholine levels and building more strength and resiliency. If you want to quickly increase your levels in the short term, you can think about adding a choline bitartrate or alpha-GPC supplement for 4-8 weeks.

Choline is the unsung B-complex vitamin that plays a key role in so many key areas of your health. Getting fitter and building resiliency to cope with stress are two common goals for people to start the year.

Incorporate more choline-rich foods into your Paleo diet this winter – via eggs, organ meats and cruciferous veggies – and lay the foundation for getting stronger in the gym, upgrading your memory, and increasing your capacity to cope with stress.

There is no better way to kick-start your quest for better health and performance.

Watch this video – Choline Sources: How To Avoid A Choline Deficiency

Written by Dr. Marc Bubbs

Author Bio:

Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor, Strength Coach, Author, Speaker, and Blogger practicing in Toronto, Canada. He believes that diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors have the most profound impact on your overall health and performance. Marc is the author of The Paleo Project – A 21st Guide to Looking Leaner, Getting Stronger, & Living Longer and currently serves as the Sports Nutrition Lead for Canadian Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook