Chaga mushroom: is it a superfood?

throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It looks more like a dark clump of earth than a mushroom, but is distinguished from other growths by its orange tissue. Doctors, alternative medicine advocates, and researchers are increasingly interested in the potential health benefits of this particular mushroom ( Inonotus obliquus ). Often used in mycotherapy, the discipline that uses medicinal mushrooms as health supplements, Chaga mushrooms are rich in a "wide variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, including:

• Vitamins of the B complex
• vitamin D
• potassium
• rubidium
• cesium
• amino acids
• fiber
• copper
• selenium
• zinc
• iron
• manganese
• magnesium
• football

The quality of medicinal mushrooms, such as Chaga for example, is that they contain a fair amount of sterols, or specialized molecules that are similar to steroids but only in a natural and beneficial way for health. The main sterols contained in Chaga are:

• anosterol
• betulin
• lupeolo
• inotidiols

. Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and white hair. Exposure to the sun, pollution and other sources lead to the formation of free radicals that accelerate the aging process of the skin. In theory, providing the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process or even reverse the visible signs of aging. Chaga has anti-aging properties due to its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress. The modest antioxidant content may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called "bad" cholesterol. High cholesterol, as it is known, is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against disease Cardiovascular Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor to increased blood pressure. People with hypertension are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health problems. Chaga's antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.

Cytokines, the chemical messengers of the immune system, are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system's first line of defense against a number of diseases. Chaga mushrooms could help regulate cytokine production, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with each other, and fighting infections. Some diseases, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to a chronic inflammatory condition. The role of chaga mushrooms in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases. Not only that, among the other beneficial properties of this particular mushroom, there is also that of lowering blood sugar levels, but research in this field is only in the initial stages.

What is mycotherapy?

Mycotherapy is the discipline that uses medicinal mushrooms as health supplements. Usually linked to the world of traditional Chinese medicine, it is based on the use of mushroom extracts that act effectively on the metabolism and the immune system. therefore species. These can be divided into two large groups: the higher fungi also known as macromycetes or macroscopic fungi (they are large fungi, visible to the naked eye, which also include the different types of edible fungi) and the lower fungi, also known as micromycetes or microscopic fungi Note that mycotrapic practice is not accepted by medical science.

Did you know that ...

Among the mushrooms considered curative, and therefore used in mycotherapy, there are also the Grifola frondosa, better known with the name of Maitake, mushrooms able to stimulate the immune system and in the presence of metabolic alterations, in particular, concerning glycemic and lipid metabolism. And then again the well-known Shiitake mushrooms: it is a mushroom whose scientific name is Lentinula edodes; it is used by mycotherapy to support the immune system, to protect teeth and gums and in case of excess cholesterol in the blood.

. It is available as a tea made from 1 teaspoon of Chaga powder to 1 cup of hot water. It has a rich flavor similar to aromatic coffee, and can be sweetened with honey, stevia, or coconut sugar. intend to take chaga, they should consult their doctor before doing so. The right daily intake of chaga varies according to the treatment goals. Chaga mushroom is in no way a substitute for medical treatment, so people who have conditions such as cancer , diabetes or hypertension should continue with the therapy prescribed by the specialists, considering the chaga mushroom as an adjuvant under the supervision of a doctor.