Tag Archive for: Vitamin D

Mushrooms…What Are They Good For?

mushrooms3Mushrooms are classified as vegetables, but they aren’t technically plants, they belong to the fungi kingdom, and they contain important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

Mushrooms provide several important nutrients, as well as being low in sodium, fat, cholesterol, and calories.  Mushrooms may help prevent chronic disease due to the presence of antioxidants and beneficial dietary fibers such as chitin and beta-glucans.

Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins such as riboflavin, folate, thiamine, pantothenic acid,  and niacin. They are the only vegan, dietary source of vitamin D.

Mushrooms also provide several minerals such as selenium, potassium, copper, iron, and phosphorus.

Excellent source of selenium

Selenium is a mineral that is not present in most fruits and vegetables but can be found in mushrooms. It plays a role in liver enzyme function, and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body.  Several types of mushrooms are rich in this essential trace mineral: 100 grams of raw crimini have 47 percent of your daily needs, shiitakes have 45 percent and raw white button have 17 percent.

Rich source of Vitamin B2 and B3

Mushrooms contain high levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin): 100 grams (31/2 ounces) of crimini have 44 percent  – that’s 30 percent of your daily recommended amount.

Rich source of Vitamin D

The vitamin D in mushrooms has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by contributing to the regulation of the cell growth cycle. The folate in mushrooms plays an important role in DNA synthesis and repair, thus preventing the formation of cancer cells from mutations in the DNA.

*Mushrooms that have been grown in the dark and have not been exposed to either sun light  or by a brief zap of ultra violet light, will not contain the same levels of vitamin D.

Improves immune function:

Long chain polysaccharides  such as alpha and beta glucan molecules, are responsible for the mushrooms’ beneficial effect on the immune system. Mushrooms may increase the production of antiviral and other proteins that are released by cells while they are trying to protect and repair the body’s tissues.

Selenium has also been found to improve immune response to infection by stimulating production of killer T-cells. The beta-glucan fibers found in the cell walls of mushrooms stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells.

High in antioxidants

Antioxidants are the “substances” that help fight free radicals that are the result of oxidation in our body.  Mushrooms contain just as high an antioxidant capacity as carrots, tomatoes, and red peppers.

So the next time you’re at the grocery store, try adding some mushrooms into your diet.

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Six Ways to Boost Your Immune System

With more than 200 viruses causing the common cold, you’re bound to catch a sniffle or two: Diversified Health shares six ways to boost your immune system.

Think Positive – Happier people are less likely to develop colds when exposed to cold viruses. People with high positive emotion scores produce just enough cytokine (a protein) to help recruit other immune cells to fight off infections.

Exercise Regularly – Taking a pass on exercise may increase your risk of catching a cold. Exercising at least 45 minutes five times a week can increase the immune fighting cells with each episode of exercise.

Victoria Clinic Indorses Six Easy Ways to Boost Your Immunity

Six Easy Ways to Boost Your Immunity

Snack on Yogurt –  Pro-biotics help promote a healthier immune system. To benefit, a person should consume between 1 and 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of active probiotics per day.

Eat your Veggies – Eating at least eight servings of brightly colored vegetables and fruits per day helps keep the immune system in top form, and prevents it from overreacting.

Give herbs and Algae a try – The herb ginseng has been proven to help prevent colds when taken as soon as symptoms develop.  Spirulina, a blue green algae, is available in health food store, is also promising. Some variations containing zinc and powdered acerola have high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.

Boost your Vitamin D – People with low Vitamin D status are one and half times more likely to get a respiratory infection than those whose Vitamin D levels were higher. Health Canada recommends 200 IU daily for adults under age 50 and 400 IU for those over 50.

Acupuncture sessions support and strengthen immunity.  Scientific research shows that acupuncture increases the white blood cells in the body and moderates the immune system allowing it to react swiftly and strongly to threats.

A healthy body has a strong and effective immune system.  For more tips and strategies on keeping your immune system strong, please contact our knowledgeable  healthcare practitioners.

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