Mycotherapy Flashcards
(7 cards)
How do fungi move nutrients back into the life cycle?
They create a mycelial (rootlike) network that releases enzymes and acids to externally digest dead organisms and return them to the soil
List the important medicinal compounds found in mushrooms
Beta-Glucans
Triterpenes
Sterols
Lectins
What is the function of beta glucans as a medicinal compound in psychotherapy?
The most important action in the body is the immune system.
They support optimal immune function, promote immuno modulation and exert anti-tumour effects.
They are captured by various cells in the lymphatic tissue of the intestine. This stimulates immune cell production such as macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells.
What is the medicinal function of triterpenes found in mushrooms
Various medicinal properties such as:
Hepato protective
Anti tumour
Over 120 types in Reishi
What is the medicinal function of Sterols in mushrooms?
Abundant .
Precursor of vitamin D
Anti cancer properties
What is the magical function of Lectins in mushrooms?
Some lectins are not great for health but this is not the case with lectins in mushrooms.
- They have been found to agglutinate tumour cells sticking them together thus preventing their proliferation
- Immune modulatory
In general, what is the thinking around medicinal mushrooms and drug interactions?
CYP450 enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of many drugs.
Research that has explored the possible interactions of the most common medicinal mushroom strains with drugs that are metabolised by CYP 450 enzymes show no appreciable inhibition caused by the mushrooms and so the possibility of a drug interaction by inhibition of CYP for 50s extremely unlikely .
This means unless there’s an interaction via another mechanism, commonly used medicinal mushrooms can be used alongside other drug treatments
