The including of the Shiitake mushrooms in our daily menu means health and longevity for us and our whole family. Here is the place to provide detailed information on the vitamins and minerals contained and how they improve the functioning of our body.
The percentage of copper in the mushrooms is remarkable. Among its many features, copper assist in the formation of hemoglobin, red blood cells and bone tissue. In the body, the mineral maintains the necessary balance with quantities of zinc and vitamin c, in the formation of the protein elastin, which gives elasticity to the skin. Copper was also involved in the process: the production of energy, hair coloring, healing of wounds, skin coloring and food sensitivity. It is also needed to maintain the health of joints and nerve cells. The next element with big content percentage is pantenonium acid or Vitamin (B5). B5 is required for the extension of the duration of life. Its deficiency in the body leads to violation the exchange of substances, depigmentation, Dermatitis, stunting, etc.
The next item in the mushroom, with also high percentage is Selenium. Selenium is a mikromineral, which is needed to be taken daily through the food that we eat. It supports the thyroid gland and prevents different types of cancer disease. Selenium has been prooven to induce DNA recovery and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the proliferation of cancerous cells and trigger their apoptosis/cycle of self destruction/, in which the body removes the abnormal cells. Selenium interacts also with a lot of proteins, including Glutathione peroxidase, which is especially important for cancer protection.
The Shiitake mushroom is extremely rich in vitamins of Group B, it is rarely observed such a great collection in one product . The B2 vitamin is contained in the biggest amount from all the other vitamins of Group B. It is known as – riboflavin – especially important for the proper functioning of the body. Since it is water soluble (the excess amounts in the human body are being disposed with water), you need to get more of it every day. Vitamin B2 is involved in the production of red blood cells, it also assists in the movement of the oxygen molecules in the blood, strengthens the proper functions of the immune system and helps the body to fight against various diseases and viruses. Along with other substancess, it supports the absorption of protein and energy generated at the breakdown of carbohydrates. Vitamin B2 is important for the growth and development of the body, as well as for its production functions. Last but not least, it maintains our skin, hair and nails in a good and healthy condition. It should be known that the riboflavin increases the level of absorption of iron in the body and makes it very useful for people with iron deficiency. Vitamin B2 helps digestion and improves the function of the nervous system. This vitamin is particularly suitable for slowing the development of glaucoma.
Niacin, or also called vitamin (B3) – is extremely important for our emotional health. It has a big role in the process of the production of energy, taking an active part in the metabolism and synthesis of fats and carbohydrates. B3 takes care of the proper functioning of the digestive organs, skin, as well as the synthesis of certain sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, insulin). But perhaps its most important task is to take care of the emotional stability. Recent studies have led to discoveries that B3, can increase the immune system's ability to fight successfully with serious bacterial infections.
Important: the Niacin is not recommended for people with severe liver diseases.
Choline, vitamin (B4) – it is necessary for the health of the liver, reduces its damage due to hepatitis. B4 reduces cholesterol, it has anti sclerosis action. It also provides good prevention against arteriosclerosis; improves the heart function and has an indispensable part in the treatment of the Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin (B6) – according to the graduated nutritionist and spokesperson for the American nutritionist Association Dee Sandquist , vitamin B6 helps most of the systems in the human body to function — including cardiovascular, digestive , immune, muscular and nervous system. B6 is required for the proper development and functioning of the brain, as well as for the production of the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which affects the person's mood. The element also helps the body to create melatonin, which is responsible for the regulation of the “biological clock”.
Folic acid – also called vitamin B9, helps the cells to multiply. It is necessary for the formation of the placenta and the construction of the bone marrow of the embryo. This element has a positive impact on the body of the future mother. It also reduces the level of the stress hormones and supports the formation of new, healthy cells which improves the cardio activity, the skin, nails and hair restoration and growth. It helps preventing anemia. Since the human body does not produce vitamins, the body must get the daily needed dose from food or tablets .
Manganese – there are between 12 and 20 mg of it in the body of a grown man. The most concentrated quantity is in the brain, liver, pancreas and kidneys. It helps for the proper absorption of vitamins A, C and B, and also of the proteins and lipids. Manganese accelerates the muscle reflexes, prevents the occurrence of osteoporosis and removes fatigue. This element has a big role for the healing of cartilage tissue, stimulates the processes of growth and development of the body and protects the liver from obesity.
Zinc is an important regulator of multiple genetic activities. It supports the balance of the blood sugar and the metabolic level. Also, many types of immune cells depend on zinc for their optimal functioning. The initial symptoms of zinc deficiency in the body are loss of sense of smell and taste, loss of appetite, difficult and slow healing of wounds and appearance of white spots on the nails. Long zinc deficiency,can lead to depression, acne, psoriasis, Dermatitis, night blindness, as well as slow growth with children.
And now it's the appropriate time to tell you about the quality of the basic substance in Shiitake mushrooms – the lentinan. It is an intravenous anti-tumor polysaccharide isolated from the fruit body of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes mycelium (LEM)).
Lentinan has been approved as an adjuvant for stomach cancer in Japan since 1985. It has been shown to affect host defense immune systems. Lentinan has healing abilities during and after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Lentinan, which is located in the composition of the Shiitake mushrooms, is the moderator of the biological reaction that reinforces the action of the immune system against cancer, improves the action of macrophages and t-lymphocytes, respectively, increases the production of interlevikin-1, the substance which directly fights against malignant agents. The Lentinan modifies the cells so they can resist the colonization and spread of cancer cells in the lungs.
In 1969, researchers from the National Research Institute in Tokyo, found a compound they called – lentinan. They found that Shiitake grown on logs have a higher content of lentinan compared with Shiitake grown on other types of organic materials. Lentinan belongs to the Group of the immune boosters, helping the production of a certain type of white blood cells. As an antioxidant, it is given as a therapy to patients with cancer and suffering from benign tumors of the digestive organs, liver, lungs, ovarian and leukemia.
There is only one thing disturbing the Shiitake supremacy- organic compounds called purines. They are natural compounds normally found in plants and in the body of animals and people. Some people sensitive to purines, may experience health problems, since in its degradation may form uric acid. Two of the main diseases in which it is not recommended the use of Shiitake mushrooms are gout and kidney stones.
This article is not a scientific analysis of the chemical composition of the Shiitake mushrooms. It explains in stages, the benefits of these small miracle healers and gives us the necessary information to include them in our daily menu because the Shiitake mushroom is the equivalent of health.