By Dominic E. 
DNA Damage from Free Radicals
Damage to DNA by free radicals is one of their most important effects. This damage can cause changes and raise the risk of getting cancer. Free radicals can also hurt proteins, lipids, and other parts of cells, which can cause swelling, cell death, and damage to tissues. This damage can make a lot of long-term diseases more likely to happen, like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease.
Antioxidants as Defense Mechanism
Antioxidants are one of the body’s weapons against free radicals. They eliminate free radicals and stop them from doing damage. But when the body has too many free radicals, these defenses can’t keep up. This can cause reactive stress and a higher risk of getting sick.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
It is important to live a healthy life and limit your exposure to natural toxins to lower your chance of free radical damage. This means staying away from tobacco smoke and other pollutants and eating foods like fruits and veggies that are high in antioxidants. Managing your stress and working out regularly can also help lower reactive stress and improve your health and well-being as a whole.
Antioxidant Properties of Medicinal Mushrooms
This plant has a lot of antioxidants, which are chemicals that help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are chemicals that are not steady and can hurt cells. This can cause a lot of health problems, like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and heart disease.
How Antioxidants Work
Free radicals are turned off by antioxidants, which stops them from doing damage. These are some of the most popular antioxidants that can be found in therapeutic mushrooms:
Phenolic Compounds
A big group of antioxidants called phenolic substances has been shown to be good for your health in many ways, such as lowering inflammation, defending against cancer, and making your heart healthier.
Flavonoids Benefits
Flavonoids: Flavonoids are another type of vitamin that has been shown to be good for your health. They can lower inflammation, protect against cancer, and make your brain work better.
Polysaccharides Properties
Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate that has been shown to help the defense system and fight free radicals. Because they are high in antioxidants, these are some of the most famous therapeutic mushrooms:
Reishi Mushroom Benefits
Reishi mushroom: These mushrooms are famous for having a lot of antioxidants and helping the body adapt. They have been shown to lower inflammation, protect against cancer, and boost the immune system.
Chaga Mushroom Properties
Chaga mushroom: Another mushroom that is known for having a lot of antioxidants is the chaga mushroom. It has been shown that chaga mushrooms can lower inflammation, protect against cancer, and make heart health better.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits
Mushrooms called lion’s mane: These mushrooms have been shown to help protect against neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It has also been shown that lion’s mane mushrooms can help your brain work better and lower inflammation.
Consuming Medicinal Mushrooms
You can take medicinal mushrooms in many forms, such as pills, powders, drinks, and extracts. You can also put them in drinks and food.
Medical Advice Before Use
It is important to talk to your doctor before taking medical mushrooms because they may help with your health. Some medicines may not work as well with medicinal mushrooms, so it’s important to know the risks and benefits before you take them.
References
- Zhang, J., et al. (2021). “Medicinal mushrooms: Current use and future potential in the treatment of chronic diseases.” Journal of Fungi, 7(12), 1045.
- Friedman, M. (2016). “Mushroom Polysaccharides: Chemistry and Antioxidant Properties.” Foods, 5(4), 80.
- Islam, T., et al. (2021). “Dietary Mushroom in Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases: Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potentials.” Current Pharmaceutical Design, 27(25), 2792-2808.
- Jayachandran, M., et al. (2017). “A Critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1934.
- Valverde, M.E., et al. (2015). “Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life.” International Journal of Microbiology, 2015, 376387.
- Wasser, S.P. (2017). “Medicinal Mushrooms in Human Clinical Studies. Part I. Anticancer, Oncoimmunological, and Immunomodulatory Activities: A Review.” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 19(4), 279-317.