Recent Medical Research on
Beneficial Effects of Mushrooms on Health

Nutrition News Highlights

"Mushrooms: Food and Medicine"

Whole Mushroom Products versus Extracts

Mushrooms offer heart health fibres.
(2/15/05, Source: Food Navigator.com). 
Mushrooms are a rich source of "cholesterol-lowering chiten and the heart healthy beta-glucan.

Mushrooms As Good An Antioxidant Source As More Colorful Veggies (6/26/06, Source: Penn State). Recent research on antioxidants in mushrooms.

Antioxidant supplements - myth or misunderstood?
(7/8/06, Stephen Daniells). Discussion research and opinions or experts regarding diet supplementation with antioxidants as isolated compounds vs. “whole products”.

The supplements - bird flu debate: selenium
(2/27/06, Source: NutraIngredients.com)
Discussion of the role selenium plays in immunity against viruses and suggestion that selenium supplements might help people deal more quickly and effectively with viral infections such as the Avian Flu. Mushrooms are an important dietary source of selenium

Scientists Identify Cell-Killing Molecular Switch Activated by Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress. The Molecular Pathway May Contribute to Stroke, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and the Aging Process (6/1/06, Source: Harvard Medical School News Release). Discussion of how free radicals and oxidative stress contribute to a wide variety of diseases. This further emphasizes the importance of including mushrooms with high levels of antioxidants in your diet.

Study could spell opportunity for fruit and vegetable ingredients (9/5/06, Clarisse Douaud). The USDA has recently boosted it recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption. Vegetable (and mushroom!!) - based extracts can help consumers keep up with thes guidelines. Currently, only a small percentage of the population met these dietary goals

References for Further Information

Medical Research Database on:
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
• Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor)
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
• Himematsutake (Agaricus blazei)
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
• King Trumpet (Pleurotus eryngii)
• Beech (Hypsizygus marmoreus)
• Lionsmane (Hericium erinaceus)
• Antrodia (Antrodia comphorata)

Nutraceutical Mushroom Powder Descriptions

Click here to learn about and order our new Health Products

Other Links of Interest

• Mushroom Council Information

A member organization whose primary focus is on the common Button mushroom but in recent years has been directing more attention to more gourmet species.

Effects of stage of maturity and cooking on chemical composition of selected mushroom varieties with emphasis on carbohydrates,
dietary fiber, chitin and vitamin D.

Mushrooms, the Umami Experience

Mushroom Kitchen Basics

Other Research on Nutrients in Mushrooms:
Selenium, B Vitamins, Potassium, Vitamin D, Carbohydrates,
Weight Control & Antioxidant Activity 

White button mushrooms prostate cancer prevention

Mushroom Council Research Survey

Popular Mushroom Nutrition Chart by the Mushroom Council
 
Fresh Mushrooms: A Culinary Workshop

• Natural Perspective, The Fungus Kingdom
General information on mushrooms and great pictures. http://www.perspective.com/nature/fungi/index.html

• The San Diego Mycological Society
The membership is made up of folks at various levels of involvement - amateurs, enthusiasts, professionals. They are interested in mushrooms for a variety of reasons: culinary, cultivation, identification, photography, ecology, and more.
They conduct classes, lead forays, and assist in mushroom identification.
http://www.sdmyco.org/

• Specialty Produce in San Diego
They distribute Golden Gourmet Mushrooms and a wide variety of other specialty produce items. Great web site with specialty produce pictures, recipes and handling instructions. Sign up for their newsletter.
http://www.specialtyproduce.com/

• Tom Volk's Fungi
This site contains general information about
mushrooms along with useful pictures which will
aid you in identifying wild edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Features a "Mushroom of the Month".
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/

See our featured items on the Links and Store pages.

Try out some of these Mushroom Books:
• Paperback Mushrooms Demystified:
A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi -- David Arora;