Mushrooms have been a part of many cultures for centuries. Though they have been used for various purposes throughout time, one of the most well-known is their ability to help support your immune system. In this article, we will explore some of the main ways mushrooms can help optimize your immune system and why these benefits can be so important for us.
In addition to being a natural antioxidant, mushrooms have been shown to increase our immunity by reducing inflammation and elevating the production of red blood cells. Supporting our respiratory system to strengthening our bones, mushrooms can even provide benefits to our digestive system! Mushrooms are also full of proteins and essential nutrients that are crucial for optimal health. You don’t need to search hard or forage the Canadian forests just to get these benefits! Functional foods or mushrooms supplements can be the perfect way to incorporate them.
Here are some ways mushrooms can help you build up your immune system and support your health.
First, what is the purpose of your immune system?
It's important to understand the very basics to grasp how you can have the ability to support your immune system. The immune system is a network of organs and cells that protects the body from getting sick and help you heal if/when you do. There are three different types: innate, adaptive, and inducible.
Adaptive immunity is the specific type of immunity we’ll focus on within this post. With this type of immunity, your body creates antibodies to fight off any invaders. These also help our bodies learn to recognize them if they come back in the future.
In order to do this, your body needs to know what “looks” like an invader! This is where antigens come into play. Antigens are molecules that can be recognized by your immune system and are what cause an immune response.
An antigen can be anything: bacteria, a virus, fungus, and even chemicals or toxins! They all have different shapes and sizes which means they will look different under a microscope. Antigens are what trigger your body to send antibodies out to bind and neutralize the antigens to fight off whatever is invading.
Therefore, having a healthy, optimally functioning immune system can help this fundamental process run smoother and ideally without causing too much stress on the body.
Mushroom Benefits
There are many benefits for incorporating medicinal mushrooms. Here are some of the most known benefits, they are rich in antioxidants that help to boost your immune system, especially when it's weakened or under strain. They’re naturally rich in anti-inflammatory properties.
Another well-known benefit of mushrooms is their ability to increase production of red blood cells in our bodies. Mushrooms can also provide vitamin B12, vitamin D3, selenium, niacin, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, and riboflavin—all key nutrients that are essential for your health!
Getting these benefits can be easy, either using them culinary or through supplementation. Some of the simplest ways is through mushroom teas or quality mushroom powders that can be added to soups, smoothies, or any of your favorite meals.
A Potent Antioxidant
Mushrooms are some of the most beneficial sources for antioxidants. When it comes to our immune system, these antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and protect our cells from free radicals.
What’s more, mushrooms have been found to boost our levels of glutathione—a nutrient that is crucial for a healthy immune system. Glutathione is a naturally occurring protein that has antioxidant properties. In fact, it has been said to help prevent oxidative damage in cells and tissues, which can be harmful to the body over time.
Studies have shown that those who consume mushrooms on a regular basis have higher levels of glutathione than those who do not. Glutathione has many important responsibilities, one of them is supporting the immune system. Its plays a necessary role in ridding the body of toxins and free radicals. Another key role in the production of immune cells that keep you healthy. It can enhance the activity of different immune cells while simultaneously acting as an antioxidant alongside them, which is pretty cool!
Mushrooms and Inflammation
Mushrooms are filled with many health benefiting compounds, some like polysaccharides and triterpenoids currently being studied for their ability to help reduce inflammation. This research is very interesting and involves many different mushrooms species.
rget to like and share. he Chaga Mushroom, which is anecdotally used internally and externally around the glob from helping to heal wounds faster to decreasing everyday pain. Mushrooms are packed with anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce the degenerative effects of inflammation on your body.
Having too much or low-level chronic inflammation can weaken your immune system and makes it harder for your body to respond to stress. Improving inflammation levels in your body is just another way to better support to your immune system. Functional Mushroom’s natural ability to reduce inflammation and health promoting benefits make these a great option to add into your diet.
Healthy Bones
It may seem odd, but your bones and your immune system is connected and interact. Mushrooms contain a variety of nutrients and minerals that are good for the health of your bones. Such as copper, known to help strengthen bone density.
These nutrient dense mushrooms also contain vitamin D, which is important for bone health for its role calcium absorption. It is an important building block to make and maintain strong, healthy bones. This mean healthy bones are also important for your immune system.
Supports Digestive Health
Mushrooms are loaded with gut-friendly bacteria and enzymes which can be healthful for your microbiome. In recent years, we’re all learning the importance of gut health and its role in overall health. It's been said the mushrooms can act sort of like prebiotics, stimulating the growth of healthy gut bacteria. While more research needs to be done, it is looking very promising.
Mushrooms also have compounds, like beta-glucan, which can support your digestive tract. Beta-glucan is known to boost the healthy, essential gut bacteria.
Your gut microbiome influences and even teaches your immune system. Something that has evolved in us over a very long time. And it’s this, the gut health and immune system connection that makes it so important to maintain or create a healthy, happy gut.
Conclusion: Make sure to incorporate mushrooms!
So here it is, functional and edible mushrooms offer a wide range of benefits for our immune system. From boosting our immune response to increasing the production of red blood cells and even fighting inflammation. Mushrooms can help us maintain optimal health and function as we age.
Not only are they full of proteins and nutrients, but other unique compounds that can benefit us. Mushrooms are not just great for short term benefits - these benefits can be long lasting!
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to supplement your immune health, in our opinion, it’s worth looking into mushrooms.
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