The shiitake mushroom is an edible mushroom originating from Asia that grows on freshly cut wood. The fact that it is also called the "king of mushrooms" and mentioned in the writings of The fact that TCM was already prominently mentioned over 2000 years ago underlines its special position within the medicinal mushrooms.

Highlights of Shiitake

• Its key ingredient is the so-called "lentinan," which is chemically a glucan that is said to have immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects. For example, in Japan, a lentinan-containing infusion ("lentinan") has been used as an adjunct to cancer therapy since 2000 (see Ajinomoto: History of Pharmaceuticals Business, October 2008).
• Many users report antibacterial and antiviral effects of the shiitake mushroom. This could also be attributed to the ingredient lentinan, which is said to improve the release of immunoglobulin A antibodies produced in the gut and increase the formation of T cells.
• Many users of shiitake mushrooms have observed a cholesterol-lowering effect, which has not yet been fully explained scientifically. One possible cause could be the shiitake compound eritadenine, which is believed to inhibit linoleic acid metabolism in liver cells.

Extract instead of powder - advantages in detail

• The mushroom powder, which is later extracted using hot water, is produced using the so-called "shell-broken" method; in this process, the mushroom is ground so finely that the chitin cell wall of the mushroom is broken open. This allows the body to optimally absorb the nutrients.
• Only the fruiting body is used for the production of the mushroom extracts, NOT the underground part ("mycelium"), which contains hardly any nutrients, or the substrate on which the mushroom is cultivated. Such products can contain many undesirable byproducts, from wood to manure.
• Mushroom extracts contain, in particular, highly effective and bioactive polysaccharides and glucans in high concentrations, which are relevant to the immune system.
• The extraction process not only releases the active substances from the cell organelles, but also enriches the fungal active substances by removing the insoluble accompanying substances.
• Another advantage of extracts over powders is their standardization and reproducibility. This allows for precise and targeted dosing and combination with other preparations.
• The proportion of polysaccharides also varies in the extracts: a few products even contain up to 30%.

Legal Consumer Information: German and European law aims to protect consumers from potentially misleading claims about product effects. The statements made here refer to original Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) texts. This millennia-old, traditional knowledge is based on experiences passed down from generation to generation. It is not intended that the products described here have any effect in the sense of Western medicine. All products are dietary supplements; they are not medications and have no medicinal effect. If you are ill and require medical attention, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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