It has been a very long time that I have had a love affair with mushrooms. I was very young the first time my father took me to Kennett Square on one of his mushroom buying drives.
The mushroom houses were long, dark buildings filled with trays of soil and all kinds of amazing mushrooms sprouting from that soil.
The mushrooms were packed in wooden baskets and we even purchased mushroom soil in bags to add to his gardens.
Over the years I've learned more and more about amazing fungi. Most recently I've become interested in the idea of using mushrooms for toxic remediation because of a video I watched a while back. This is related to my work with the Silver Valley Community Action Center, and a longtime goal of SVCRC to find a better way to do mine clean up than repositories.
I'll continue to be a mushroom lover, and a user of mushrooms for health. We offer very high quality medicinal mushrooms and these are the ones I have used to help many people with a variety of health concerns. Contact us FMI(see Mycelia and Beta-Glucan). We're pleased to supply your needs.
So you can follow up on mushrooms for health here's a sampling from Natural Health News -
Men's Health and Magic Mushrooms
Antidepressants Might Be Right Under Our Noses
New medical trials explore benefits of hallucinogenic drugs
Vitamins for Alzheimer's
Don't let flu hit you full force...
Mushroom Nutrition
Showing posts with label immune system health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immune system health. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Viral Infections: An Overactive Immune Response
New culprit for viral infections among elderly -- an overactive immune responsefrom the leaflady: Nettle
ScienceDaily (2009-11-30) -- Researchers have found that exaggerated responses of the immune system explain why the elderly succumb to viral infections more readily than younger people. The study bucks the general belief that declining immune responses are to blame for susceptibility to viral infections. ... > read full article
"Anti-inflammatoryexcerpt above from Notes on Nettle at leaflady.org
Stinging nettle demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity in experimental situations. The extract partially inhibits the activity of 5-lipoxygenase and shows a concentration dependent inhibition of the synthesis of cyclooxygenase derived reactions.(2) (Note: these are the same enzymes that aspirin inhibits). A new class of drugs (called Cox2 inhibitors) aimed specifically at modulating cyclooxygenase enzymes is one of the new darling in the pharmaceutical industry.
Stinging nettle (both the leaf and root) also appears to prevent the over stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta. Cytokines can be thought of in simple terms as immune system messengers. And while a discussion of these proinflammatory cytokines and immune system balance is beyond the scope of this column, cytokine balance is a growing area of interest in medicine.
In fact, virtually all immune disorders (from HIV, to cancer, to autoimmune diseases), allergic conditions (like asthma and allergies) and even obesity/insulin resistance have characteristic imbalances in cytokine levels as part of the functional derangement occurring at a metabolic level. Between the lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, and cytokine modulating activities of this plant, stinging nettle is literally a treasure chest of unexplored potential.
Anti-viral and Immune Balancing
UDA Superantigen Stinging nettle actually contains a "super lectin" called UDA superantigen (UDA for short). For those interested, UDA appears to be an N-acetylglucosamine specific lectin. Evidence indicates that this super lectin can inhibit a range of viruses including those responsible for HIV, colds, and influenza.(4)
UDA is also T-cell mitogen, distinguishable from classical T-cell lectin mitogens, by its ability to discriminate a particular population of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, as well as its capacity to induce an original pattern of T-cell activation and cytokine production.(5) Basically, what this means is that unlike most things that stimulate the immune system only toward greater activity, the super lectin in stinging nettles appears to stimulate the immune system to be in balance.(6)
While studies in humans are lacking (and would be extremely desirable), the UDA super lectin has been shown to prevent the progression of experimentally induced systemic lupus erythematosus-like pathology in mice. In the experiment, UDA-lectin treated animals did not develop overt clinical signs of lupus and nephritis (kidney disease). UDA was also shown to alter the production of autoantibodies in a sex-dependent manner.(14)"
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/11/research-shows-antioxidants-beneficial.html
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Vitamin D and Viral Protection
Vitamin D Prevents Common Cold, Flu
by Jeffrey Dach MD
Are you sneezing, with a runny nose, and aches and pains? You may have the common cold. Rather than go through a week of misery, better to prevent Colds with Vitamin D.
A new study published Feb 23 in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that Vitamin D prevents the common cold. In this study, patients with low vitamin D levels had 40% more flu episodes.
These findings suggest Vitamin D helps the immune system fight off viral illness like the flu. Vitamin D is actually a hormone which attaches directly to cellular DNA and is involved in prevention of autoimmune diseases. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and increased rate of cancer. In fact, low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased over-all mortality. Read more about Vitamin D, click here:
Vitamin D Deficiency, the Ignored Epidemic of the Developed World
by Jeffrey Dach MD
References and Links
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/4/384 Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adit A. Ginde, MD, MPH; Jonathan M. Mansbach, MD; Carlos A. Camargo Jr, MD, DrPH Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):384-390.
Background Recent studies suggest a role for vitamin D in innate immunity, including the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). We hypothesize that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels are inversely associated with self-reported recent upper RTI (URTI).
Methods We performed a secondary analysis of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a probability survey of the US population conducted between 1988 and 1994. We examined the association between 25(OH)D level and recent URTI in 18 883 participants 12 years and older. The analysis adjusted for demographics and clinical factors (season, body mass index, smoking history, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Results The median serum 25(OH)D level was 29 ng/mL (to convert to nanomoles per liter, multiply by 2.496) (interquartile range, 21-37 ng/mL), and 19% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18%-20%) of participants reported a recent URTI. Recent URTI was reported by 24% of participants with 25(OH)D levels less than 10 ng/mL, by 20% with levels of 10 to less than 30 ng/mL, and by 17% with levels of 30 ng/mL or more (P < .001). Even after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, lower 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with recent URTI (compared with 25[OH]D levels of 30 ng/mL: odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.84 for <10 ng/mL and 1.24; 1.07-1.43 for 10 to <30 ng/mL). The association between 25(OH)D level and URTI seemed to be stronger in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 5.67 and 2.26, respectively).
Conclusions Serum 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with recent URTI. This association may be stronger in those with respiratory tract diseases. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on RTI.
Adit A. Ginde; Jonathan M. Mansbach; Carlos A. Camargo Jr.
Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009; 169 (4): 384 DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.560
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223221242.htm
Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Risk Of Colds, Flu
ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2009) — Vitamin D may be an important way to arm the immune system against disorders like the common cold, report investigators from the University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Children's Hospital Boston.
Study participants with the lowest vitamin D blood levels – less than 10 ng per milliliter of blood – were about 40 percent more likely to report having a recent respiratory infection than were those with vitamin D levels of 30 or higher. The association was present in all seasons and even stronger among participants with a history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema. Asthma patients with the lowest vitamin D levels were five times more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection; while among COPD patients, respiratory infections were twice as common among those with vitamin D deficiency.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/24/health.vitamind.cold/
Vitamin D may protect against common cold.
Deficiency of vitamin D is common, particularly in winter. People with low blood levels of vitamin D more likely to report a recent cold By Theresa Tamkins,Vitamin D may protect people -- especially those with asthma and other chronic lung conditions -- from colds and other respiratory tract infections, according to the largest study to date to look at the link.
People with low blood levels of vitamin D were more likely to have had a recent cold.
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cold-and-flu/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100233622
Too Little Vitamin D May Mean More Colds and Flu
By Alan Mozes, HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) --
Forget the apple. The largest study of its kind to date shows that vitamin D each and every day is what will keep the doctor away when it comes to the common cold or the flu.
http://jeffreydach.com/2007/06/10/vitamin-d-deficiency--by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx
Vitamin D Deficiency, the Ignored Epidemic of the Developed World
by Jeffrey Dach MD
by Jeffrey Dach MD
Are you sneezing, with a runny nose, and aches and pains? You may have the common cold. Rather than go through a week of misery, better to prevent Colds with Vitamin D.
A new study published Feb 23 in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that Vitamin D prevents the common cold. In this study, patients with low vitamin D levels had 40% more flu episodes.
These findings suggest Vitamin D helps the immune system fight off viral illness like the flu. Vitamin D is actually a hormone which attaches directly to cellular DNA and is involved in prevention of autoimmune diseases. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and increased rate of cancer. In fact, low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased over-all mortality. Read more about Vitamin D, click here:
Vitamin D Deficiency, the Ignored Epidemic of the Developed World
by Jeffrey Dach MD
References and Links
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/4/384 Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adit A. Ginde, MD, MPH; Jonathan M. Mansbach, MD; Carlos A. Camargo Jr, MD, DrPH Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):384-390.
Background Recent studies suggest a role for vitamin D in innate immunity, including the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). We hypothesize that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels are inversely associated with self-reported recent upper RTI (URTI).
Methods We performed a secondary analysis of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a probability survey of the US population conducted between 1988 and 1994. We examined the association between 25(OH)D level and recent URTI in 18 883 participants 12 years and older. The analysis adjusted for demographics and clinical factors (season, body mass index, smoking history, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Results The median serum 25(OH)D level was 29 ng/mL (to convert to nanomoles per liter, multiply by 2.496) (interquartile range, 21-37 ng/mL), and 19% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18%-20%) of participants reported a recent URTI. Recent URTI was reported by 24% of participants with 25(OH)D levels less than 10 ng/mL, by 20% with levels of 10 to less than 30 ng/mL, and by 17% with levels of 30 ng/mL or more (P < .001). Even after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, lower 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with recent URTI (compared with 25[OH]D levels of 30 ng/mL: odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.84 for <10 ng/mL and 1.24; 1.07-1.43 for 10 to <30 ng/mL). The association between 25(OH)D level and URTI seemed to be stronger in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 5.67 and 2.26, respectively).
Conclusions Serum 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with recent URTI. This association may be stronger in those with respiratory tract diseases. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on RTI.
Adit A. Ginde; Jonathan M. Mansbach; Carlos A. Camargo Jr.
Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009; 169 (4): 384 DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.560
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223221242.htm
Vitamin D Deficiency May Increase Risk Of Colds, Flu
ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2009) — Vitamin D may be an important way to arm the immune system against disorders like the common cold, report investigators from the University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Children's Hospital Boston.
Study participants with the lowest vitamin D blood levels – less than 10 ng per milliliter of blood – were about 40 percent more likely to report having a recent respiratory infection than were those with vitamin D levels of 30 or higher. The association was present in all seasons and even stronger among participants with a history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema. Asthma patients with the lowest vitamin D levels were five times more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection; while among COPD patients, respiratory infections were twice as common among those with vitamin D deficiency.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/24/health.vitamind.cold/
Vitamin D may protect against common cold.
Deficiency of vitamin D is common, particularly in winter. People with low blood levels of vitamin D more likely to report a recent cold By Theresa Tamkins,Vitamin D may protect people -- especially those with asthma and other chronic lung conditions -- from colds and other respiratory tract infections, according to the largest study to date to look at the link.
People with low blood levels of vitamin D were more likely to have had a recent cold.
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cold-and-flu/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100233622
Too Little Vitamin D May Mean More Colds and Flu
By Alan Mozes, HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) --
Forget the apple. The largest study of its kind to date shows that vitamin D each and every day is what will keep the doctor away when it comes to the common cold or the flu.
http://jeffreydach.com/2007/06/10/vitamin-d-deficiency--by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx
Vitamin D Deficiency, the Ignored Epidemic of the Developed World
by Jeffrey Dach MD
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thieves Vinegar
Anti- Epidemic Vinegar from the leaflady
This is the historic recipe known as "Thieves' Vinegar" used during the time of Black Plague.
You will need:
1 quart of organic raw apple cider vinegar
1 pound garlic cloves
8 oz. comfrey root
4 oz. each of oak bark, marshmallow root, mullein flowers, rosemary flowers, lavender flowers, wormwood, black walnut leaves
12 oz. vegetable glycerin
Make a tea from each herb by soaking in clean spring or distilled water for 12 hours, then boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Let steep for 30 minutes. Then strain each herb and simmer again reducing the amount to one-half to concentrate the tea. Juice or squeeze the garlic, and add to the mixture of teas and vinegar. Stir in the glycerin thoroughly.
Store best in an amber glass bottle.
Take 1 -3 teaspoons during an epidemic, or 1 teaspoon hourly if someone has a serious communicable dis-ease.
Most of the supplies you'll need to make this vinegar may be ordered through our strategic partner link in the right column: Starwest Botanicals.
Please note that comfrey root may only be ordered for external use under current FDA guidelines (salves, oils or liniments).
Immune Health
This is the historic recipe known as "Thieves' Vinegar" used during the time of Black Plague.
You will need:
1 quart of organic raw apple cider vinegar
1 pound garlic cloves
8 oz. comfrey root
4 oz. each of oak bark, marshmallow root, mullein flowers, rosemary flowers, lavender flowers, wormwood, black walnut leaves
12 oz. vegetable glycerin
Make a tea from each herb by soaking in clean spring or distilled water for 12 hours, then boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Let steep for 30 minutes. Then strain each herb and simmer again reducing the amount to one-half to concentrate the tea. Juice or squeeze the garlic, and add to the mixture of teas and vinegar. Stir in the glycerin thoroughly.
Store best in an amber glass bottle.
Take 1 -3 teaspoons during an epidemic, or 1 teaspoon hourly if someone has a serious communicable dis-ease.
Most of the supplies you'll need to make this vinegar may be ordered through our strategic partner link in the right column: Starwest Botanicals.
Please note that comfrey root may only be ordered for external use under current FDA guidelines (salves, oils or liniments).
Immune Health
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