Polysaccharide Benefits for Optimal Health:
The polysaccharides present in mushrooms have been shown to be rich in health benefits, from immune-strengthening to gut health stabilizing. Read on to learn more about polysaccharide benefits and how you can find high-quality mushroom supplements.
In today’s health landscape, there seems to be an influx of new “superfoods” every second, all promising magic solutions to various ailments, with little research to back them up. Remember charcoal? Those were dark times. In most cases, it’s best to look at what has been working for thousands of years, and medicinal mushrooms have a long history that reaches across the world. The use of mushrooms for medicinal purposes can be traced back to traditional Chinese medicine in the 12th century. Even in Russia, they called a certain mushroom (Chaga) the “King of Herbs” for its medicinal qualities.
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Backed by proven studies, mushrooms have remained at the top of trusted physicians’ lists as a proven immunity supercharger. Rich in antioxidants, mushrooms can act as a probiotic, and they contain those powerhouse polysaccharides. Not all mushrooms are created equal, and it is important to find quality mushrooms that contain these precious compounds so that you can enjoy the many polysaccharide benefits that they offer.
Real Mushrooms is a notable Canada-based company with over 40 years of experience growing and extracting organic mushrooms, and you can find a wide selection of quality mushroom products on their website. Unfortunately, a lot of “mushroom” products on the market don’t include the essential fruiting bodies, which contain the most beneficial compounds.
These inferior products are actually just mycelium (the root system of a mushroom). Mycelium is typically grown on grains, and most of the time, this grain is mixed in with the final product. real mushrooms stand behind their name, and they are made of 100% real mushrooms with zero fillers. This means that with any Real Mushroom product you choose, you are getting high-quality ingredients with verified active compounds.
[This article “Polysaccharide Benefits for Optimal Health” was originally published in MushroomMaestro]
What are Polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are carbohydrates found in mushrooms that have health-boosting properties. They are often referred to as “complex carbohydrates” (long chains of sugar). Other types of carbohydrates, like simple carbs (glucose), digest faster in the body, whereas complex carbs contain more sugar chains and take longer to digest.
There are many types of polysaccharides found in mushrooms, but the one most associated with immune-boosting properties is called β-glucan. β-glucans are the main bioactive compounds in medicinal mushrooms that are linked to the most health benefits. Therefore, when looking at what kind of mushroom supplement to buy, it is important to look out for ones that contain β-glucans. This is the surest way to enjoy the many polysaccharide benefits of quality mushroom supplements.
Extracting Polysaccharides
Since mushrooms contain a variety of polysaccharides, it is important to know how these bioactive compounds are extracted. The cell walls of mushrooms contain chitin, which is an indigestible polysaccharide that houses the all-important β-glucans. Chitin is also found in insect exoskeletons and is surprisingly strong. So, to get to the “good stuff,” some sort of extraction process needs to happen. Since β-glucans are water-soluble (think mushroom tea), they can be hot water or alcohol extracted and even dual extracted. These methods ensure that medicinal mushroom products retain their active compounds. Read on to find out more about the numerous polysaccharide benefits that mushrooms can offer.
Polysaccharide Benefits for Optimal Health is (MushroomMaestro) report.
What kind of mushrooms have β -glucans?
β-glucans can be found in a variety of foods, including yeasts, seaweed, and rye, but typically these are not as potent as the β -glucans found in mushrooms. Since many mushrooms can be used medicinally, you might often hear them referred to as “functional mushrooms.” These are some examples of functional mushrooms:
- Reishi
- Shiitake
- Turkey Tail
- Cordyceps
Polysaccharide benefits
1. Immune-boosting properties
β-glucans are known to be a Biological Response Modifier (BRM). BRMs can jumpstart an underperforming immune system and calm down an overactive one. β-glucans act as a type of fuel for the immune system, and they can trigger effective immune responses, leading to the elimination of bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections. β-glucans are also rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, which have been known to help with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Polysaccharide benefits
2. Fighting obesity
Consuming mushrooms for weight loss has been popular for decades, especially since mushrooms are a low-calorie, low-cholesterol option. Medicinal mushrooms have also been drawing the eye of physicians for their antiobesity and antidiabetic properties. There have been over 80 studies supporting the therapeutic use of β-glucans, and they are only growing in popularity.
Obesity results from the overconsumption of energy-rich foods paired with a much lower energy expenditure. While reducing the intake of energy-dense foods can help fight obesity, β-glucans can increase the number of short-chain fatty acids in the gut, providing a new source of energy and helping to restore energy balance. One positive effect may be lowered food intake. β-glucans provide an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which have the potential to improve insulin resistance and lower blood pressure.
Polysaccharide Benefits for Optimal Health is an original (MushroomMaestro) article.
Polysaccharide benefits
3. Improving overall gut health
The gut microbiota is crucial to the metabolic process, and it is one of the most complex systems in the human body. The gut microbiota is linked to our ability to extract energy and nutrients from food, immune function, and appetite signaling pathways. In other words, it’s very important to keep your gut happy.
Probiotics can aid digestion and restore the gut microbiota. They are defined as: ‘nondigestible food ingredients that when administered, exert a beneficial effect on the host health.’
Researchers have found that in freeze-dried mushroom powders, the β -glucans act as probiotics. They also increase the bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, which aids in mineral absorption and liver function.
Polysaccharide benefits
4. Brain function and anti-aging
Studies have shown that β-glucans found in Lion’s Mane mushroom have the potential to improve cognitive function, reduce anxiety and improve mood. Lion’s Mane has been shown to improve mental clarity and shield your brain from aging.
Tips on how to choose the right supplements
- Although proven to be amazing, polysaccharides are not the only compounds that mushrooms contain. Mushrooms are filled with bioactive compounds including lectins, sterols, and alkaloids. So, it’s important to read the label to make sure you are getting all those amazing benefits.
- Check the label for organically grown mushrooms
- Focus on products that contain the fruiting bodies instead of just mycelium.
- Laser focus on the β-glucan content, some brands are sneaky and just use it as a marketing tool.
Best ways to introduce mushrooms to your diet
Most people are introduced to mushrooms by eating them, which is a fantastic way to replace red meat, promote lower cholesterol and enjoy a low-calorie meal. However, you can also enjoy the potent health-promoting properties of medicinal mushrooms with high-quality supplements like those offered by Real Mushrooms. Consuming these products is a great way to incorporate mushrooms into your daily routine, and they come in a variety of convenient capsules and powders. The best way to consume mushrooms is the way that is most convenient for you, so that you can be consistent in your healthy routine. With time and a daily regimen, you are sure to reap the many rewards of these friendly fungi.
Further reading for additional reference:
Reishi History: https://www.realmushrooms.com/reishi-mushroom-history/
Lions Mane: https://www.realmushrooms.com/lions-mane-mushroom-benefits/
Turkey Tail: https://www.realmushrooms.com/turkey-tail-mushroom-benefits/
Important Note: The information contained in this article (Polysaccharide Benefits for Optimal Health) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
