CapsCanada
Wakunaga
Immune Health

Mushroom Science on the Rise for Immune Support

by Lisa Schofield | July 1, 2015

According to Gina Rivers Contla, national science educator, Host Defense Organic Mushrooms in Washington, market data demonstrates that immune support is a top consumer category. On a daily basis, people come into contact with over 2,000 compounds, including benzenes, formaldehyde, nitrosamines, hydrocarbons, petro-chemicals and xeno-estrogens, to name a few, that compromise and distress our natural immunity. Therefore, supporting immune function becomes more imperative for overall health and well-being.

“Immunity is no longer just a wintertime consideration, and mushrooms are functional foods that provide year-round support for health and daily maintenance,” she said.

Mushrooms contain polysaccharides, antioxidants, enzymes and prebiotics that support the immune system with basic building blocks on a cellular level. All other body systems, she points out, can certainly benefit when the innate immune system is functioning at a higher level.

“While unique compounds found in mushrooms such as beta-glucans have been studied and shown to up-regulate Natural Killer (NK) cells and macrophages, other compounds like triterpenoids may have a regulating aspect on the TH3 branch of the acquired immune system, which houses T Regulatory cells,” Contla explained. “These specialized cells are like the police officers of our immune system, and are responsible for controlling the amount of cytokines produced in the immune response. In this way, mushrooms are true immune modulators.”

There is a rapidly growing body of published research on mushroom mycelium and how various mushroom species may support health. Currently, a quick search on pub.med.gov will produce more than 800 scientific, peer-reviewed studies on mushroom mycelium. Host Defense Turkey Tail, said Contla, was selected as the preferred preparation in an NIH-sponsored study conducted at Bastyr University in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Medical School. “Our Turkey Tail demonstrated support for immune system health,” she reported.

According to Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., L.Ac., director of Herbal Science at California-based Rainbow Light, the National Institute of Health provides ongoing funding to study mushrooms as natural immune boosters. “And consumers are becoming more aware of the deep immune benefits of medicinal mushrooms,” he said.

Feature

Don't Miss Out!

Sign up for Vitamin Retailer Digital Newsletter
Digital Newsletter
Subscribe to Vitamin Retailer Magazine
Vitamin Retailer Magazine

Industry Professionals
Stay Informed!

Stay informed about the latest health, nutrition, and wellness developments by signing up for a FREE subscription to Vitamin Retailer magazine and digital newsletter.

Once subscribed, you will receive industry insights, product trends, and important news directly to your doorstep and inbox.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay Informed! Breaking news, industry trends featured topics, and more.

Subscribe to our newsletter today!