By Dominic E. 
Understanding Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation, caused by prolonged immune system activation, can lead to chronic illnesses. Inflammation protects the body from infections and damage.
The Damage of Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can harm healthy tissues and organs, causing heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
Blood Vessel Impact
Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, causing chronic illnesses. Atherosclerosis, a plaque-clogged artery disease, can result from chronic inflammation of the blood vessels. This raises heart disease and stroke risks.
Connection to Diabetes
Chronic inflammation can cause insulin resistance, which makes cells resistant to insulin. This can cause type 2 diabetes and excessive blood sugar.
Pancreatic Damage
Insulin-producing pancreatic cells can be damaged by inflammation, worsening diabetes.
Cancer Connection
Along with these disorders, persistent inflammation can cause cancer. DNA damage and mutations from chronic inflammation can cause cancer. Through its growth-promoting environment, inflammation can also help cancer cells spread.
Risk Factor Analysis
Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor for chronic illnesses. We can improve illness prevention and treatment by knowing how chronic inflammation causes disease.
Lifestyle Intervention
Lifestyle adjustments including diet and exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs can minimize the incidence of chronic inflammation-related disorders.
Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
Medicinal mushrooms aid inflammation management. Complex biological processes like inflammation defend the body from illness and harm. Chronic inflammation can cause cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
Active Compounds
Many chemicals in medicinal mushrooms lower inflammation and encourage a healthy immune response. Among these compounds:
Beta-glucans Properties
Beta-glucans: These carbs diminish inflammation by suppressing inflammatory cytokines.
Polysaccharides Function
Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides activate macrophages, which ingest and kill foreign invaders, reducing inflammation.
Triterpenes Benefits
Triterpenes: Plant compounds of this kind have anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.
Lion’s Mane Specific Benefits
Lion’s mane mushrooms contain hericenones, which decrease inflammation and increase nerve cell proliferation.
Popular Anti-inflammatory Mushrooms
Popular inflammation-fighting mushrooms include:
Reishi Mushroom Benefits
The adaptogenic qualities of reishi mushrooms help the body deal with stress. Reishi mushrooms decrease inflammation and promote immunity.
Chaga Mushroom Properties
Chaga mushrooms are antioxidant-rich. Inflammation and cardiovascular health are also improved by chaga mushrooms.
Lion’s Mane Cognitive Benefits
Lion’s mane mushrooms boost memory and cognition. Lion’s mane mushrooms decrease inflammation and increase nerve cells.
Shiitake Mushroom Characteristics
Shiitake mushrooms are earthy and umami-rich. Shiitake mushrooms decrease inflammation and promote immunity.
Consumption Methods
Medicinal mushrooms come in capsules, powders, teas, and extracts. They can be added to meals and drinks.
Medical Consultation
Consult your doctor before using medicinal mushrooms for inflammation. Before consuming medicinal mushrooms, consider the dangers and benefits. Some drugs might interact with them.
Important Medical Disclaimer
Importantly, medicinal mushrooms do not treat inflammation. Inflammation should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
References
- Guggenheim, A. G., Wright, K. M., & Zwickey, H. L. (2014). Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 13(1), 32-44.
- Eliza, W. L., Fai, C. K., & Chung, L. P. (2012). Efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery, 6(1), 78-87.
- Wasser, S. P. (2017). Medicinal mushrooms in human clinical studies. Part I. Anticancer, oncoimmunological, and immunomodulatory activities: A review. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 19(4), 279-317.
- Jayachandran, M., Xiao, J., & Xu, B. (2017). A Critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1934.
- Muszyńska, B., Grzywacz-Kisielewska, A., Kała, K., & Gdula-Argasińska, J. (2018). Anti-inflammatory properties of edible mushrooms: A review. Food Chemistry, 243, 373-381.