Articles

PRODUCT REVIEW

Agaricus Blazei
Medicinal Mushroom Extract by Mushroom Science®

By Mark Isaac Thyss
Garden of Healing®

Gene-altered corn, unlabeled ingredients in food, and the release of cloned meat and milk into the food supply, not to mention killer jungle viruses arriving from the Rain forest; what’s a consumer to do?

Medicinal mushrooms to modulate your immune system is welcome news, and here’s one we love, Agaricus Blazei by Mushroom Science®. For an immune-stimulating boost, learn what this mushroom can do for you.

Agaricus Blazei is a medicinal mushroom that contains a special class of polysaccharides known as beta glucans.  Studies show beta glucans stimulate activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which are an important part of the immune system.

The active constituents of Mushroom Science® Agaricus Blazei are the Polysaccharides (1-6 linked proteoglycans extracted from the cell walls).  We like this Mushroom Science® product because it’s considered the most potent extract.

There are different varieties of agaricus mushroom, and Agaricus Blazei is one of the most common.

Beta glucan is a naturally-derived polysaccharide which has been studied for its anti-tumor and immune stimulating properties. The carbohydrate polymers known as beta-1,3-d-glucans exert potent effects on the immune system - stimulating anti-tumor and antimicrobial activity, for example, by binding to receptors on macrophages and other white blood cells and activating them.

Agaricus blazei specifically helps in production of interferon and interleukin, which are instrumental in fighting off cancer cell metastasis, especially cancer of the uterus. It also reduces blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the effects of arteriosclerosis.

Agaricus Blazei mushrooms are thought to owe their beneficial effects to their beta-glucans, a group of immune-boosting agents also found in shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms, as well as in yeast.

Native to Brazil, Agaricus Blazei mushrooms are now also cultivated in Japan, Korea, and the United States.

The mushroom’s effect on the immune system has been verified by clinical trials, which have shown an increase in the number of white blood cells, a rise in the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, and an increase in production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Researchers in Korea and Japan have declared it an effective treatment for supporting the immune systems of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Agaricus Blazei, Royal Sun Agaricus, Nature’s Most Powerful Beta 1-6 Glucan is a Dehydrated Hot Water Extract, 45% beta 1-6 glucan (polysaccharide).

The Agaricus blazei in this product is extracted with the preferred hot water/alcohol method to increase its digestibility and enhance bio availability of the polysaccharides.

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Medicinal mushroom extracts are very simple to take. They come in capsule form and the suggested use of this particular product is 1-3 capsules twice daily or more as recommended by your health care professional. It is best to take this supplement on an empty stomach.

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