ergothioneine Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Study Suggests Ergothioneine in Mushrooms Can Help Extend Your Lifespan

The AHA! Team — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:26:55 +0000

Zoey Sky via Natural News – Mushrooms are a great addition to many savory dishes. Research suggests the benefits offered by mushrooms go beyond the kitchen. Several studies have found that a compound in mushrooms can help extend the human lifespan. One recent study looked into the potential benefits of fungi-derived bioactive compounds on lifespan and health span. The study also highlighted the importance of finding interventions to minimize age-related diseases. Another study published in the Nutrition Journal investigated the health benefits of mushrooms. Researchers found that mushroom consumption is linked to a longer lifespan. They credited this benefit to mushrooms’ high content of ergothioneine, an antioxidant amino acid found in fungi and bacteria. While conducting the study, researchers reviewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The 20-year prospective cohort study involved 15,000 participants. Results revealed that the people who included mushrooms in their diet had a 16 percent lower chance of early death. The researchers also discovered that consuming one serving of mushrooms per day instead of processed meat reduced the chances of dying prematurely from any cause by at least 35 percent. The research team explained that this benefit may be due to ergothioneine’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. They also suggested that ergothioneine’s anti-aging properties could stem from its ability to protect against telomere shortening. Research shows ergothioneine has protective effects on telomeres Telomeres are usually described as protective “caps” for chromosomes. These long strings of delicate, elaborately folded DNA act like the protective plastic tips on shoelaces that help prevent fraying and damage. Longer telomeres are associated with better cellular health and are also usually linked with longevity. But telomeres naturally shorten over time, which makes them less able to preserve the structure of chromosomes. Shorter telomeres are linked with aging and chronic degenerative disease. In a study with participants over 60, those with shorter telomeres were three times more likely to die of heart disease than those with longer telomeres. They were also at least eight times more likely to die from infections. In another preliminary study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements in 2022, a research team discovered that treating cells with ergothioneine for eight weeks alleviated telomere shortening from oxidative stress. They suggested that this can help potentially avoid mutations in DNA that could cause cancer. The researchers concluded that the results support “a potential role for ergothioneine in oxidative stress-related conditions and healthy aging.” Ergothioneine also supports longevity by helping to replenish and recycle glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. Data also suggests that ergothioneine offers a valuable “trifecta” of anti-aging gifts: supporting longer telomeres, protecting DNA and recycling glutathione. Mushrooms can support optimal brain health In a separate study, scientists found that people over 60 were found to display lower levels of ergothioneine. They added that those over 60 with mild age-related cognitive impairment showed even sharper declines in this important amino acid. This is bad because ergothioneine, which helps protect brain cells from oxidative stress, is believed to help aging adults maintain healthy cognition and memory. Test tube and animal studies have indicated that ergothioneine may also help support memory by creating new neurons or brain cells. In a trial published in the Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, the research team gave both healthy adults and those with mild cognitive impairment a mushroom extract containing 5 mg of ergothioneine a day for 12 weeks. They found that the supplementation resulted in significant improvements in verbal memory, working memory and sustained attention for both the healthy and the mildly impaired volunteers. (Related: 6 Mushrooms you can eat to prevent cognitive impairment and reduce your dementia risk.) Aside from its anti-aging properties, ergothioneine also helps support a healthy immune system, promotes optimal cardiovascular function and supports healthy skin. Ergothioneine is even used in skincare serums and creams to reduce the appearance of fine lines and soothe redness and irritation. It is also used in products that help fight against damage and photoaging caused by ultraviolet radiation. Visit NaturalMedicine.news for more research about mushrooms and other superfoods. Watch the video below to learn about the health benefits of Organic Chaga Mushrooms. This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com PubMed.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov Brighteon.com To read the original article, click here: https://www.naturalnews.com/2024-08-14-study-ergothioneine-mushrooms-help-extend-lifespan.html

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“Mood-Lifting” Mushrooms? Intriguing New Study Links Mushroom Consumption with Lowered Depression Risk

AHA Publisher — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 08:00:46 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – If you’re feeling a little more “down in the dumps” lately, you have plenty of company. In a disturbing – but unsurprising – report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a significant toll on national mental health. Between August of 2020 and February of 2021, the percentage of American adults with recent symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders jumped from 36.4 percent to 41.5 percent. On a more hopeful note, researchers at Penn State College of Medicine, have just published a new study suggesting that mushroom consumption is linked to reduced rates of depression. While nobody claims that mushrooms are a miracle cure for depression, the study indicates that these tasty fungi contain compounds that can lift the mood. (And many of us could use some of that!) Let’s see what the research says about the antidepressant effects of mushrooms. Researchers Say: Study Suggests Mushrooms Cut Depression Risk In the study, which involved over 24,000 adults and was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, participants filled out questionnaires detailing their daily diets. The researchers concluded that those who ate moderate amounts of mushrooms had a lower likelihood of experiencing depression. In a perplexing finding, those who ate moderate amounts (about 5 grams a day) experienced the strongest antidepressant effects. Scientists did not know why higher amounts of mushrooms, such as 20 grams a day, did not experience a reduction in depression rates. In other words, it seems there is a “sweet spot” for mushroom consumptionthat leads to lower depression risk. By the way, the fungi that the subjects reported eating weren’t of the psychoactive or hallucinogenic variety. Although they weren’t identified by type, they were presumably ordinary mushrooms commonly available in American supermarkets, such as white button, crimini, and portobello. Antidepressant Effects of Mushrooms Linked to Potent Antioxidant Addressing the reasons for this surprising benefit of consuming mushrooms, lead researcher Dr. Djibril Ba., Ph.D., noted that they are the highest known dietary source of ergothioneine, an antioxidant amino acid. This could allow mushrooms to decrease levels of oxidative stress, thereby reducing symptoms of depression. In addition, mushrooms’ generous amounts of potassium could also contribute to their anti-anxiety and mood-lifting effects. Mushrooms are also rich in vitamin B12, which is associated with reduced anxiety. Finally, mushrooms marketed as having been grown under UV light are rich in vitamin D, which has been linked with improvements in mood. Incidentally, other nutrients believed to have mood-lifting effects include folate (a B vitamin), omega-3 fatty acids (found in coldwater fatty fish like salmon and sardines), and fermented foods such as yogurt and kimchi. In general, experts note that high-fiber diets – featuring plenty of antioxidant-rich fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs – can improve mental health while reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Additional Research Links Mushroom Consumption to Longer Lives and Less Cancer Risk Earlier research by the same group of scientists has shown that the antidepressant effects of mushrooms are not their only benefit. In a study involving over 16,000 participants, the team found that the group with the highest consumption of mushrooms lowered their risk of premature death by a significant 16 percent. Moreover, adding mushrooms to the diet while subtracting another item seemed to offer even more important benefits. In fact, substituting a daily serving of mushroom for a daily serving of red or processed meat lowered cancer risk by 35 percent! Scientists believe mushrooms’ life-prolonging effects may stem from their content of glutathione – the body’s premier antioxidant – and ergothioneine. Both glutathione and ergothioneine are believed to play significant roles in preventing chronic diseases and premature death. That isn’t all. Earlier research by the same team showed a connection between mushrooms and lowered cancer risk. In a meta-analysis, the scientists found that participants who ate 18 grams of mushrooms a day reduced their cancer risk by 45 percent compared to those whose diets didn’t include mushrooms. Mushrooms Are a True “Superfood” In addition to their other virtues, mushrooms have a stellar nutritional profile. Virtually free of fat, sodium, and cholesterol, mushrooms are about as low-cal as it gets, with a half-cup serving (35 grams) containing about seven calories and 1.1 grams of protein. Plus, they are packed with B vitamins and are a good source of copper, potassium, and iron. Bonus health tip: For mushrooms with the highest ergothioneine content, look for oyster and shiitake varieties. With their satisfying consistency and savory taste, mushrooms can be consumed raw or grilled, roasted, steamed, or sauteed. So, go ahead and enjoy mushrooms in salads, stews, risotto, pasta, and omelets. Not only are they a great addition to a healthy diet, but they might just brighten your mood. Sources for this article include: MedicalNewsToday.com BioMedCentral.com MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here.

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