Functional Medicine

Mushroom Health Benefits: El Paso Back Clinic

Nutrition is integral to optimal health and can help treat and manage diseases that threaten the body. Mushrooms come in various shapes, sizes, and colors and have been used for their unique ability to add flavor and taste without sodium or fat. They are also healthy and tasty and contain various vitamins and minerals. Different mushrooms can provide distinct health benefits that can be increased brain function, help with hormonal balance, and as an antioxidant.

Mushroom

Research continues to uncover how mushrooms can improve everyday health and help mitigate the risk of developing health conditions like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Mushrooms are recommended because they are:

  • Fat-free
  • Low in sodium
  • Low-calorie
  • Cholesterol-free
  • Packed with fiber

Nutritional benefits vary depending on the type of mushroom.

B vitamins

  • Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins: riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which help maintain heart health. Riboflavin supports red blood cells. Niacin assists the digestive system and helps keep healthy skin. Pantothenic acid supports nervous system function and helps the body make necessary hormones.

Minerals

  • They are a great source of minerals – Selenium, Copper, Thiamin, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. Copper helps the body create red blood cells to deliver oxygen and maintain healthy bones and nerves. Potassium supports heart, muscle, and nerve function.

Antioxidants

  • Antioxidants help protect the body from damaging free radicals that can cause heart disease and cancer. They also protect against damage from aging and increase immune system function.

Beta-glucan

  • Beta-glucan is a soluble dietary fiber linked to improved cholesterol levels and supports heart health. It helps the body regulate blood sugar, which helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps increases energy levels by utilizing oxygen more efficiently and enhancing circulation. This can be especially helpful for athletes or individuals who regularly work out and has been shown to improve exercise and athletic performance and speed up muscle recovery.

Shiitake

This mushroom has benefits that are particularly good for the heart, as they contain phytonutrients, which aid in:

  • Preventing plaque buildup
  • Maintaining blood pressure
  • Maintaining circulation
  • Lowering cholesterol

Chaga

Chaga mushrooms are full of antioxidants, making them excellent for fighting free radicals and inflammation. This mushroom combats oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging. And it can help prevent or slow cancer growth and has been found to help lower low-density lipoprotein – LDL cholesterol.

Mushroom Preparation

Mushrooms are almost always available in the produce section of any grocery or health food store. Make sure to wash them thoroughly first. Example: Cremini mushrooms can be:

  • Eaten raw or cooked, sliced or unsliced.
  • Simmered in water for 5 minutes until soft
  • Sauteed – cook the mushrooms in a pan with olive oil on medium heat for eight minutes, frequently stirring until they brown at the edges.
  • Sprinkled raw over meals to add more texture and flavor.

Ways to add mushrooms to a nutrition plan:

  • With eggs in the morning.
  • Mix into cooked beef, chicken, or turkey.
  • Cook mushrooms with garlic and butter for a side dish.
  • Add to a stir-fry with other vegetables.
  • Add to homemade pizza.
  • As an ingredient in pasta sauce.
  • Add to salads.
  • Make cream of mushroom soup.

Always talk to a doctor, nutritionist, or dietician before to confirm whether adding mushrooms is safe, especially if pregnant or using medications, as certain mushrooms can cause side effects like an upset stomach or allergies.


Food as Medicine


References

Fukushima, M et al. “Cholesterol-lowering effects of maitake (Grifola frondosa) fiber, shiitake (Lentinus edodes) fiber, and enokitake (Flammulina velutipes) fiber in rats.” Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) vol. 226,8 (2001): 758-65. doi:10.1177/153537020222600808

Kabir, Y et al. “Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats.” Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology vol. 33,5 (1987): 341-6. doi:10.3177/jnsv.33.341

Kolotushkina, E V et al. “The influence of Hericium erinaceus extract on myelination process in vitro.” Fiziolohichnyi zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1994) vol. 49,1 (2003): 38-45.

Ma, Gaoxing, et al. “Health benefits of edible mushroom polysaccharides and associated gut microbiota regulation.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition vol. 62,24 (2022): 6646-6663. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.1903385

Rop, Otakar, et al. “Beta-glucans in higher fungi and their health effects.” Nutrition reviews vol. 67,11 (2009): 624-31. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00230.x

Tuli, Hardeep S et al. “Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Cordyceps with special reference to Cordycepin.” 3 Biotech vol. 4,1 (2014): 1-12. doi:10.1007/s13205-013-0121-9

Related Post

Venturella, Giuseppe, et al. “Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 22,2 634. 10 Jan. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22020634

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Mushroom Health Benefits: El Paso Back Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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Dr Alex Jimenez

Welcome-Bienvenido's to our blog. We focus on treating severe spinal disabilities and injuries. We also treat Sciatica, Neck and Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, health, fitness, and structural conditioning. We use Individualized Diet Plans, Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Adapted Cross-Fit Protocols, and the "PUSH System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. If you would like to learn more about a Doctor of Chiropractic who uses advanced progressive techniques to facilitate complete physical health, please connect with me. We focus on simplicity to help restore mobility and recovery. I'd love to see you. Connect!

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