Shitake

Benefits

• Shiitake reduces cholesterol by promoting metabolism and excretion of cholesterol.

• Moderates blood sugar​​ level.

• Boosts the immune system, thereby strengthening the body’s ability to fight infection and disease.

• Shiitake reduces high blood pressure

• Shiitake cures liver diseases and is a kidney tonic.

• Shiitake diminishes the possibility of colds and flu

• Shiitake induces the formation of interferon (chemical substance that immunizes cells to virus infections)

• Shiitake reduces tumors

• There are clinical studies that prove Shiitake has a positive effect against AIDS.

• Currently​​ Shiitake mushrooms​​ constitute one of the main protein sources in Japan, China and several countries in the pacific. Shiitake is healthy and nutritious and is used to treat nutritional deficiencies.

• Shiitake is antibacterial and antifungal

• Shiitake is an adaptogen

• Shiitake helps to reduce nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the period of recovery after illness or chemotherapy

• Shiitake improves endurance and delays muscle fatigue. 

• Shiitake produces a fat-absorbing compound. 
  that assists in weight control

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The Shiitake​​ mushroom is the most widely cultivated specialty mushroom in the world and is both a prized medicine as well as a culinary delight. Because of its traditional use in folk medicine and its availability, it has been the subject of intense research. Shiitake​​ is highly nutritious. It is regarded as one of the most popular sources of protein in Japan and a major staple in China and the rest of Asia. As a food source, Shiitake has the combined attributes of being appetizing, nourishing, dietetic and healthful. It​​ has adequate nutritional benefits to serve as a main dish and it complements well the various recipes as meat substitute.

Shiitake contains all eight essential amino acids in better proportions than the ones found in soy beans, meat, milk, or eggs as well as a good blend of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B2, B12, C, D Niacin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron,​​ Beta-glucan, Heteroglucan,​​ Polysaccharide (lentinan), eritadenin, largely unsaturated fatty acids, Polyacelylene, Guanosine 5′ –monophosphate nd Adenine derivative. It yields 26% protein by dry weight, carbohydrates, fiber and ergosterol. It has been used to treat nutritional deficiencies and liver ailments. Shiitake produces a fat-absorbing compound that assists in weight loss. Primary chemical constituents of Shiitake include. It has become the second popular mushrooms in the world.

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The famous physician from the Chinese Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644), Wu Ri, wrote extensively about this mushroom, noting its ability to increase energy, cure colds, and eliminate worms. It is regarded as medicinal mushroom possessing powers of boosting “QI” within the body’s blood circulation. The vast research of Shiitake’s medicinal properties has been completed and it shows its ability to fight tumors, viral infections and enhance the immune system.

Anticancer

​​ In the late 1960’s a Japanese researcher by the name of T. Ikekawa together with his colleague after an intense study produced evidence related to a component of​​ the Shiitake that demonstrated a 94.8% rate of tumor inhibition at a​​ 200 mg/kg/day dose. Interestingly, the alkaline-eluted component gave only a 62.5% tumor inhibition rate at the same dosage.

Lentinan, the highly purified polysaccharide fraction extracted from Shiitake, is an approved drug in Japan and has been used as an agent to prolong survival of patients in conventional cancer therapy as well as in AIDS research. Lentinan is commercially available for clinical use. In Japan mushroom extracts have become the leading prescription treatment for cancer. Lentinan is not only effective for cancer treatment, but may also prevent the increase of chromosomal damage induced by anti-cancer drugs with no known side effects. In the scientific articles Chihara stipulates: “The leading principles of the function of lentinan resides in the fact that it can cure patients by restoring their homeostasis and through enhancement of their intrinsic resistance against diseases.

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In the clinical cases when lentinan was given​​ as part of treatment to patients with gastric cancer, reticular fibers developed in tumor sites. Reticular cells, which are spread throughout the body in various tissues, are immune cells that have the ability to ingest (phagocytes) bacteria. When lentinan was administered, not only was there a proliferation of reticular cells in gastric tumor sites, but also many T- lymphocytes (another type of immune defender) were drawn to these cancer sites with the result that the cancer cell nests were fragmented and​​ destroyed. 
There are also documented cases of greatly reduced side effects from radiation and chemotherapy in patients who took medicinal mushrooms at the same time. With lentinan there are no known side effects of any serious nature. The non-cytotoxic nature of polysaccharides offers a way to destroy unwanted cells without damaging the host.

Antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal
The antiviral effect is believed to be caused by Shiitake’s ability to produce interferon.​​ What’s more, Shiitake appears to be effective against some of the​​ more serious viruses we face today: HIV and hepatitis B. Test-tube studies in Japan indicate that LEM (short of​​ Lentinula edodes​​ mycelium), an extract of Shiitake mushroom, is more lethal to HIV-infected cells than AZT, a well-known medication developed to delay the progress of AIDS. In other test-tube studies, LEM lignins have been shown to block HIV cells from reproducing and damaging helpful T cells. These lignins also stop cell damage from herpes simplex II, two viral infections that often plague individuals with HIV.

Hepatitis B is a liver disease transmitted through transfusions, the use of unclean needles, or other blood-to-blood contact. In the 1980s, a trial involving 16 clinics in Japan​​ investigated the impact of LEM on hepatitis B. The studies indicated that LEM may stimulate the body to produce antibodies. Forty individuals with chronic hepatitis B ingested six grams of LEM daily for four months. All of the patients experienced relief of hepatitis B symptoms, and in 15, the virus was inactivated.

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Beinfield points out that Shiitake “can be used as a food as well as a medicine. It treats nutritional deficiencies and improves immunity through diet”. Because of its appealing flavor and rich​​ nutritional makeup, vegetarians sometimes use Shiitake mushrooms as a substitute for animal protein.

Particularly, mushroom substances called terpenoids help kill bacteria and viruses and exert anti-inflammatory effects,

Immune Booster

This highly prized​​ mushroom is recommended for any disease involving depressed immune function such as cancer, AIDS, environmental allergies, yeast infections, frequent flu and colds. 

The immune-boosting, anti-viral properties of Lentinan are used to help AIDS and heart-bypass patients fight off infections, by stimulating various parts of the body’s defense system.

Shiitake has Anti-HIV properties by stimulating the production of interferon. It provides synergistic (combined and improved) effect with azidothymidine (AZT).

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Cholesterol and cardiovascular health

Researchers have reported that consumption of Shiitake mushrooms lowers blood cholesterol levels by as much as 45 percent. The most dramatic results occurred when high-cholesterol foods were​​ eaten simultaneously with Shiitake. In two human studies, cholesterol dropped 6 to 15 percent when the amount of Shiitake consumed was nine grams per day or approximately 10 dried medium-sized mushrooms.​​ 

The ability of Shiitake to accelerate the metabolism and excretion of cholesterol was first reported in 1966 by Kaneda and Tokuda. The Donko and Koshin varieties of Shiitake produced a 45% and 36% reduction in total plasma cholesterol respectively. The active principle is an amino acid named eritadenine.​​ Eritadenine lowers all lipid components of serum lipoproteins in both animals and man. It exhibits very low toxicity and is effective when administered orally. One hundred twenty-four derivatives of eritadenine have been synthesized and tested. Patents for​​ consumable products capitalizing on Shiitake hypocholesterolemic effect have been issued. Lowering plasma lipids by a method as simple as consuming a food or beverage is very appealing to the health-conscious public.

Shiitake has also shown the capacity to lower high blood pressure in laboratory animals.

Liver protection​​ 

Shiitake strengthens the function of the liver and provides the detoxification of the liver;

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Other Benefits of Shiitake Mushroom

Shitake is used medically​​ for any and all diseases involving depressed immune function including cancer, AIDS, environmental allergies, yeast infections, and frequent flu and colds.

In addition, contains compounds effective in lowering cholesterol and treating high or low blood pressure. Shiitake produces a fat-absorbing compound that assists in weight loss.

In China and Japan, Shiitake mushrooms have enjoyed a long reputation as a remedy for exhaustion, colds, worms, poor circulation and liver ailments.

According to Kenneth Jones in​​ Shiitake: the Healing Mushroom, Shiitake provides noteworthy benefits for ulcers, liver problems, allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Directions:​​ Adults, take one (1) capsule daily or as recommended by your physician, as a dietary supplement.