Dr Alla’s Shiitake Mushrooms

• Anti-Tumour Properties - stimulates the function of immune depressed system; prevents the increase of chromosomal damage induced by anti-cancer drugs; reduced side effects from radiation and chemotherapy;
• Anti-HIV Properties - stimulates the production of interferon; provides synergistic (combined and improved) effect with azidothymidine (AZT);
• High Cholesterol Reducer - accelerates the metabolism and the excretion of eaten cholesterol;
• Liver Protection - strengthens the function of the liver and improves the detoxification of the liver;
• Weight Loss Effect - produces a fat-absorbing compound that assists in weight control.

Shiitake (Lentinus Edodes) represents a symbol of longevity in Asia and is glorified as food and medicine for centuries.

Wild Shiitake mushrooms existed since prehistoric times and it is native to Japan, China and other Asian countries.

In the wild, Shiitake mushroom grows on the trunks, stumps or various fallen hardwoods - oak, chestnut, beech or the shii tree, from where this mushroom derives its name ("take" means mushroom).

Shiitake Mushroom is also known by the names Oak Mushroom, Oriental Black Mushroom and Glossagyne.

Shiitake mushroom has a distinctive look - light brown with amber effect and slight trumpet-shaped caps that range in diameter from about two to four inches and rest on tender white stems.

This mushroom, mysterious and unique in many aspects, has been a gourmet product for centuries. It has a delicious taste, exotic flavour and meaty texture making it a fabulous addition to almost any dish.

Besides its taste, Shiitake mushroom is highly nutritious. It is regarded as one of the most popular sources of protein in Japan and a major staple in China and the rest of Asia. As a food source, Shiitake mushroom has the combined attributes of being appetizing, nourishing, dietetic and healthful. It has adequate nutritional benefits to serve as a main dish and it complements well the various recipes as meat substitute.

Shiitake mushroom contains all eight essential amino acids in better proportions than the ones found in soy beans, meat, milk, or eggs as well as a good blend of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, B12, C, D and Niacin, elevating it to the pedestal of functional food. Shiitake produces a fat-absorbing compound that assists in weight loss. It has become the second popular mushroom in the world.

Shiitake mushroom is the most widely cultivated and one of the most thoroughly researched and documented medicinal mushrooms.

The famous physician from the Chinese Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644), Wu Ri, wrote extensively about this mushroom, noting its ability to increase energy, cure colds, and eliminate worms. It is regarded as medicinal mushroom possessing powers of boosting "QI" within the body's blood circulation. The vast research of Shiitake's medicinal properties has been completed and it shows its ability to fight tumour, viral infections and enhance the immune system. Its beneficial effects have been reported in the Cochran's review of medicinal mushrooms, "Medical Effects" (Biology and Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms, Academic Press, 1978).

In the late 1960's a Japanese researcher by the name of T. Ikekawa together with his colleague after an intense study produced evidence related to a component of the Shiitake mushroom that demonstrated a 94.8% rate of tumour inhibition at a 200/day dose. Interestingly, the alkaline-eluted component gave only a 62.5% tumour inhibition rate at the same dosage.

Primary chemical constituents of Shiitake mushroom include Polysaccharide (lentinan), eritadenin, proteins, largely unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins D, B-2, B-12.

Lentinan, the highly purified polysaccharide fraction extracted from Shiitake mushroom, is an approved drug in Japan and has been used as an agent to prolong survival of patients in conventional cancer therapy as well as in AIDS research. Lentinan is commercially available for clinical use. In Japan, mushroom extracts have become the leading prescription treatment for cancer.

Lentinan is not only effective for cancer treatment, but may also prevent the increase of chromosomal damage induced by anti-cancer drugs with no known side effects. In the scientific articles Chihara stipulates: "The leading principles of the function of lentinan resides in the fact that it can cure patients by restoring their homeostasis and through enhancement of their intrinsic resistance against diseases."

There are also documented cases of greatly reduced side effects from radiation and chemotherapy in patients who took medicinal mushrooms at the same time.

In the clinical cases when lentinan was given as part of treatment to patients with gastric cancer, reticular fibres developed in tumour sites. Reticular cells, which are spread throughout the body in various tissues, are immune cells that have the ability to ingest (phagocytes) bacteria. When lentinan was administered, not only was there a proliferation of reticular cells in gastric tumour sites, but also many T- lymphocytes (another type of immune defender) were drawn to these cancer sites with the result that the cancer cell nests were fragmented and destroyed.

This highly prized mushroom is recommended for any disease involving depressed immune function such as cancer, AIDS, environmental allergies, yeast infections, frequent flu and colds.

The antiviral effects demonstrated by Shiitake mushroom are caused by its ability to stimulate the production of interferon.

Researchers have reported that consumption of Shiitake mushrooms lowers blood cholesterol levels by as much as 45 percent. The most dramatic results occurred when high-cholesterol foods were eaten simultaneously with Shiitake mushroom.

The ability of Shiitake mushroom to accelerate the metabolism and excretion of cholesterol was first reported in 1966 by Kaneda and Tokuda. The active principle is an amino acid named eritadenine that lowers all lipid components of serum lipoproteins. It exhibits very low toxicity and is effective when administered orally. One hundred twenty-four derivatives of eritadenine have been synthesized and tested; numerous patents have been issued for consumable products capitalizing on Shiitake's ability to reduce the cholesterol level. Lowering plasma lipids by a method as simple as consuming a natural product is very appealing to any health conscious person.

Shiitake mushroom proves to be a truly heart-smart food for the future.

• Amino acids (Arginine, Leucine, Lysine, Phenylalanine, Valine)
• Minerals (Fe, Zn, Mn, K, P, N etc.)
• Protein
• Fibers
• Vitamins B, B12, D
• Beta-glucan
• Heteroglucan
• Polyacelylene
• Guanosine 5'-monophosphate
• Adenine derivative