The Goodness Of Mushroom
Today's Question
I've been trying to include more mushrooms in my diet because I heard you say that they're really good for you. But now I've been told that certain ones are carcinogenic! Can you give me the straight scoop on this? -- Anonymous
Today's Answer
Mushrooms are a big favorite of mine, but if you're just learning about their medicinal properties, I don't blame you for being confused about which ones are -- or aren't -- good for you. In general, I advise against eating a lot of the cultivated white or "button" mushrooms found on supermarket shelves across the nation. They are among a number of foods (including celery, peanuts, peanut products, and salted, pickled, or smoked foods) that contain natural carcinogens. Just how dangerous these natural toxins are is unknown, but we do know that they are not present in other kinds of mushrooms that offer great health benefits.
Instead of white mushrooms, I suggest you look for the more exotic varieties which are becoming increasingly available in this country. Some are edible and can make a delicious addition to your diet, but some are strictly medicinal mushrooms, and they come dried or in capsule form. Here's a brief guide to my favorites, in alphabetical order:
Cordyceps: A Chinese mushroom used as a tonic and restorative. It is also known for improving athletic performance. You can buy whole, dried cordyceps in health food stores and add them to soups and stews, or drink tea made from powdered cordyceps. You can also get cordyceps in capsule form. To treat general weakness, take cordyceps once a day, following the dosage advice on the product. For health maintenance, take it once or twice a week.
Maitake: This delicious Japanese mushroom is also called "hen of the woods" because it grows in big clusters that resemble the fluffed tail feathers of a nesting hen. You should be able to find it dried or fresh in Japanese markets, gourmet foods stores, or upscale supermarkets. Research indicates that maitake has anticancer, antiviral, and immune-system enhancing effects. It may also reduce blood pressure and blood sugar.
Reishi: Strictly a medicinal mushroom -- not a culinary one -- reishi is hard and woody and has a very bitter taste. Like maitake and other related mushrooms species, reishi can improve immune function and inhibit the growth of some malignant tumors. It also shows significant anti-inflammatory effects, reduces allergic responsiveness, and protects the liver. You can buy dried, ground mushrooms and use them to make tea if you don't mind the bitterness. Otherwise, I suggest buying reishi tablets or capsules, which are available in health food stores. Follow the recommended dosage, and take reishi every day for at least two months to see what it can do for you.
Shiitake: These meaty and flavorful mushrooms contain a substance called eritadenine which encourages body tissues to absorb cholesterol and lower the amount circulating in the blood. One Japanese experiment showed that eating 90 grams (about three ounces) of fresh shiitake a day lowered serum cholesterol 12 points in a week -- it even counteracted cholesterol increases caused by adding butter to the diet. Shiitakes also have antiviral and anticancer effects. Dried shiitakes, available at all Oriental grocery stores, are also effective. Fresh ones are becoming increasingly available thanks to domestic cultivation of this delicious mushroom.
Are there any drawbacks to eating mushrooms? It's rare, but some people are allergic, and some find them hard to digest. To learn more about the health-promoting effects of mushrooms, check out www.fungi.com, the Web site of Fungi Perfecti, an excellent source for information about medicinal and gourmet edible mushrooms.
By Dr Andrew Weil
http://www.drweil.com/
