Mushroom Immune Defense™ features 16 of the best-studied species of health-supportive mushrooms, including shiitake, reishi, and maitake. These mushrooms contain compounds, including beta-glucans, glycoproteins and polysaccharides, which support a wide range of immune defenses.
Researchers propose that constituents of these mushrooms may support natural killer (NK) cell, T-cell, macrophage activity, and cytokine production all of which are necessary for proper immune function. Supplementing with Mushroom Immune Defense may be especially important these days with more dangerous strains of cold and flu that seem to be surfacing.
The Immune System
The immune system is a complex network of specialized tissues, organs, cells, and biochemicals. |
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Innate immunity is present at birth and provides the first line of defense. The skin, mucus secretions, and stomach acidity are examples of innate immunity. Adaptive immunity is acquired later in life, and includes elements such as antigens that generate antibodies, or white blood cells, T-cells, and B-cells. Amazingly, the adaptive immune system retains a memory of all its activities.
Advanced Nutrition: Beta-Glucan
Beta-glucan is a complex sugar (polysaccharide) derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast, oat and barley fiber, and many mushrooms. Beta-glucans bind to receptor sites on macrophages and neutrophils, which are part of the immune system’s first line of defense. This nutrient has been widely researched for its immune-supportive properties.
How Do Mushrooms Work?
Mushrooms are a treasure trove of bioactive compounds, but most of their immunomodulating activities have been attributed to polysaccharides (long-chain, simple sugars) and glycoproteins (polysaccharides naturally associated with proteins). These compounds activate a variety of immune responses.
The following mushrooms have demonstrated the most evidence for immune defense:
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Lentinan, the beta glucan from shiitake, has been studied more extensively than similar substances and may be one of the most effective immunomodulators. Numerous studies have shown its ability to stimulate natural killer cell, T-cell, and macrophage-dependent responses.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Reishi’s polysaccharides may stimulate macrophages and enhance T-cell proliferation, according to in vitro studies.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa): Maitake enhances the activities of natural killer cells, T-cells and macrophages, according to animal studies. MUSHROOM IMMUNE DEFENSE contains MaitakeGold 404™, a highly specialized maitake product, rich in beta-glucans, which is the only maitake betaglucan fraction endorsed by the world’s premier maitake researcher, Dr. Hiroaki Nanba, Ph.D.
Turkey Tails (Trametes versicolor): These mushrooms have a long history of traditional
use in Asia. One in vitro study suggests that its polysaccharides stimulate macrophages.
Almond portabella (Agaricus blazei): This mushroom may stimulate the immune system by increasing T-cell activity, according to animal studies.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis): Cordyceps came to international attention during National Games in China when, in one week, three women’s track and field world records were broken. The coach partially credited a cordyceps elixir. Cordyceps was found to augment antibody and other immune responses in one animal study, and a cordyceps polysaccharide was found to elevate cytokines in vitro.
Mushroom Immune Defense contains 10 additional mushrooms, including enoke, oyster, Polyporus umbellatus, and Poria cocos. Vitamin C is added to enhance absorption and activity.
By carefully combining these mushrooms and fortifying them with extracts, Mushroom Immune Defense offers a broad- spectrum, high potency, complete mushroom product.
Remember, a focus on immune support can pay tremendous dividends for your entire life. If you are dedicated to good health you want a powerful formula on your side, such as Mushroom Immune Defense.
References
Kurashige S, et al. 1997. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1997 19(2):175-83.
Wang S. Y. et al. 1994. Program and Abstracts of the’94 International Symposium on Ganoderma Research. Beijing: Beijing Medical University.
Wasser S. P. and Weis A. L. 1999a. Crit Rev Immunol, 19, 65-96.
Sherwood ER, Williams DL, McNamme RB, Jones EL, Browder IW, Di Luzio NR. Enhancement of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 production by soluble glucan. Int J Immunopharmacol (1987) 9(3): 261-267.
