Bizarre-Looking Fungus Improves Cognition & Immunity, New Research Suggests

The AHA! Team — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:25:40 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux as it is often known, is one of the most common health complaints among adults. So much so that medications to treat the symptoms make up the third highest-selling class of drugs in the United States. Of all the medicinal mushrooms, tremella mushrooms are undoubtedly the strangest looking, with a translucent white color and a complicated-looking arrangement of frills and folds that causes them to resemble reef coral. Botanically labeled as tremella fuciformis, tremella mushrooms are commonly known by nicknames that range from the charming (snow mushrooms) to the creepy (witches’ butter). You may also hear them referred to as snow fungus, white fungus, and white jelly mushrooms. But these intriguing fungi are so much more than visual oddities. Valued as adaptogens and immune system boosters in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, tremella mushrooms are now impressing contemporary researchers. A clinical study in the Journal of Medicinal Foods concluded that tremella extracts can help protect brain cells and improve cognition and memory in patients with cognitive impairment. You won’t want to miss out on the far-reaching “head-to-toe” benefits of these fascinating fungi. Tremella mushrooms help reverse memory loss and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases In a double-blind, controlled trial involving 75 individuals with subjective cognitive impairment, the researchers set out to assess the efficacy and safety of tremella. They found that participants who received between 600 and 1,200 mg a day of tremella for eight weeks experienced greater memory and executive function improvements than those in the control group. The team concluded that tremella could be safely used to improve memory and enhance cognition. A 2022 study published in Nutrients explored tremella mushrooms’ ability to act against oxidative stress and brain inflammation that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that tremella mushrooms contain polysaccharides with anti-amyloidogenic properties (this forbidding-sounding word means that they act against the buildup of harmful amyloid-beta plaque implicated in Alzheimer’s disease). They also have antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, meaning they can prevent the death of brain cells. One specific tremella polysaccharide, TL04, was found in animal studies to confer protective effects through the mitochondrial pathway. The team concluded that polysaccharides in tremella are “promising neuroprotective agents” with “enormous potential” to inhibit the progression of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntingdon’s disease, and ALS. Tremella combats inflammatory intestinal diseases by enhancing immunity and gut microbe diversity In a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Immunology, researchers concluded that polysaccharides in tremella mushrooms have the potential to alleviate inflammation and tissue damage caused by ulcerative colitis. These beneficial carbohydrates also support the health of the gut microbiome by increasing microbial diversity and renewing populations of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus. As these bacteria’s metabolites help regulate the immune system, this also supports immune defenses. Studies have shown that polysaccharides can directly activate immune system components such as macrophages and T-cells. While more study is needed, the implications are promising. Promote and protect skin health, radiance, and hydration Tremella mushrooms contain potent antioxidants that reduce skin inflammation and help to protect against photoaging (another word for wrinkles and age spots induced by the harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight). In addition, their polysaccharides have humectant properties, meaning they can draw moisture into the skin. In a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, a 0.05 percent formulation of tremella polysaccharides performed as well in hydrating skin as a 0.02 percent formulation of hyaluronic acid – and it accomplished this at only 14 percent of the cost! Researchers endorsed tremella polysaccharides for rehydrating the skin and protecting and repairing the skin barrier. Tremella polysaccharides also help to increase the production of collagen, a protein that promotes skin firmness and elasticity (the sought-after qualities that give skin a youthful appearance). Access benefits through diet, supplements, or topical application Whole tremella mushrooms are available fresh or dried in markets and health food stores. Dried mushrooms should be soaked for an hour to rehydrate before using in recipes. While fresh tremella mushrooms are perfectly edible and nutritious – packed with dietary fiber, plant-based protein, essential vitamins, and minerals – they have a gelatinous texture that some people find off-putting. That said, their flavor is subtle and mild, and they blend in well with soups, stews, stir-fries, and casseroles. Powdered tremella is also available as a supplement. Use a reputable vendor, and choose an organic product certified by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) or USP (United States Pharmacopeia). You can also find tremella in topical serums, facial masks, and lotions. Before supplementing with tremella, you may want to get the “thumbs-up” from your holistic healthcare provider. Unsurprisingly, tremella mushrooms have also exhibited effects against cancer, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity. While much of their potential is still unexplored, their obvious benefits are causing them to emerge as an exciting natural intervention against chronic and degenerative diseases. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Liebertpub.com RealSimple.com Mdpi.com FrontiersinImmunology.org SagePub.com To read the original article click here.

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Getting Rid of Depression and Anxiety: How to Eat for Better Mental Health

AHA Publisher — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 07:00:13 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – The foods that you eat not only impact your waistline and your physical health, but they also affect the way you think and feel. You’ve probably always heard that you are what you eat – and it’s true, what you put in your body matters. But, according to a review published in the March 2021 issue of Frontiers of Nutrition, it’s what you feed your brain that really counts. Your “Second Brain” Is Smarter Than You Think Your gastrointestinal system plays an integral role in not only your physical health but in your mood and mental health as well. This is because scientists have found that neural tissue doesn’t only exist in our brains. It lines our gut as well. This network of neurotransmitters does a lot more than just regulate digestion. It is connected to the brain, and it is a key influence in diseases in the body and mental state. They’ve dubbed it out “second brain.” The technical name for our second brain is the enteric nervous system. While it doesn’t help with decision-making or your deep thoughts, it still has much to do. Yes, it does regulate the digestion process and gut behavior, but it is far more complex than that. It is estimated that 90% of the primary visceral nerve fibers transport information to the brain from the gut. This is contrary to what was traditionally believed. The enteric nervous system is also a producer of serotonin – to the tune of 95% of serotonin in the entire body is found in the bowels. This is also likely why certain antidepressants like SSRIs have side effects that include gastrointestinal issues. So, it’s no wonder that diet plays such an important part in mental wellbeing. Scientists Link Brain and Gut Health, Connect Nutrition and Mental Health The foods that you choose to put into your body directly impact your second brain. If you put junk in, it feeds the “bad” bacteria that lives in your gut. This can lead to many health problems, including anxiety and depression. However, your mental health often improves when you focus on nutrition and put the good stuff in. Promoting the idea that a poor diet has a negative impact on mood is not new. Doctors made that connection long ago. However, now that they have linked the second brain and connected all the dots, it makes perfect sense that when you feed that brain in your gut a healthy diet, it will significantly impact your mental health. But both the brain in your skull and the brain in your gut work together, so, make no mistake, the quality of your diet is everything. “Brainbuster” Foods Negatively Impact Mood; Here Are the Top Offenders Some foods are simply not good for you but aren’t detrimental to your health. Then some foods directly affect your brain and gut in ways that can have lasting effects. Nutrients and foods you should avoid include: Foods high in sodium Sugar Factory-farm meats High amounts of toxic fat Artificial sweeteners Overly processed foods Dehydration Zinc deficiency should also be avoided. It can lead to depression as well as poor immunity. Another nutrient that you need to watch out for is low B12. Folate, B12, and B6 help keep your homocysteine levels low. High homocysteine has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline, and brain atrophy. Loading Up On “Brain Boosters” Benefit Brain and Gut Health in Multiple Ways Foods that can strengthen your brain and gut, improving your mood and mental wellbeing, are part of a healthy diet. Great brain and gut health diets you might try are the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet. Doctors and nutritionists highly recommend both. Some of those brain-boosting foods include: Whole grains Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids Leafy greens Fresh fruit Colorful vegetables Olive oil Berries Legumes and beans Fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, and miso Wild caught seafood Obviously, organic quality foods are your best choice. In addition, make sure to incorporate probiotics and prebiotics into your diet as well. The main point is clear: maintaining a well-balanced diet is essential for a healthy body, gut, and brain. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov ScientificAmerican.com To read the original article click here.

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Bizarre-Looking Fungus Improves Cognition & Immunity, New Research Suggests

Getting Rid of Depression and Anxiety: How to Eat for Better Mental Health