How Does Lingzhi Mushroom Fight Aging & Disease?

The lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bracket fungus that has been used for millennia in Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam and other East Asian cultures.

Lingzhi is the Chinese name for G. lucidum and it is also commonly referred to as reishi mushroom.

It has been classified as a “superior” herb in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) since approximately 300 BCE. Lingzhi has been an important part of medicinal and cultural traditions throughout Asia.

Today lingzhi is cultivated and supplements are readily available. The mushroom remains a popular supplement and is used for a variety of purposes, from treating fatigue to stimulating immune function.

Lingzhi has also received growing scientific attention and is being investigated for a number of therapeutic effects that may play a role in cancer treatment and maintaining cardiovascular health.

Additionally, G. lucidum fungi is used to help control blood-glucose levels, help to efficiently metabolize fatty acids and carbohydrates, improve liver and kidney performance, lower blood pressure and offer numerous other health advantages.

Reishi Mushroom

Mushroom Supplement

Immune Booster

Heart Health

Longevity

How It Works:

• Traditional Chinese immune modulator
• Promotes healthy blood pressure & cholesterol
• Anti-oxidant used for anti-aging benefits

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Lingzhi Mushroom

Lingzhi mushroom has been used by kings and the wealthy to fight off signs of aging for over 2,000 years.

Red reishi mushrooms are said to treat many of the ailments that come with aging, such as high blood pressure, arthritis, low energy and poor immune system functioning.

The Lingzhi mushroom is also sometimes used in cooking, though it has quite a bitter taste and may not be palatable to all. It can also be brewed into a tea or added to coffee.

Though there is limited research demonstrating the effectiveness of using Lingzhi mushrooms as a curative agent, herbalists and natural doctors often recommend it for a number of purposes. One common use of this extract is as an adjunct therapy to Western cancer treatments.

The mushroom is said to have powerful antioxidant properties. Oxidative damage is often cited as a cause of cancers, as well as being linked to a number of other medical conditions.

Lingzhi Mushrooms for Cancer

Lingzhi mushrooms contain a number of constituents that are being investigated for their possible role in cancer treatment. Lingzhi contains ganoderic acids, beta-glucan polysaccharides and other plant nutrients that have been observed to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties, which may act against some cancer cells.

Further, lingzhi has been observed to inhibit some tumor cell growth and replication. Also, chemopreventive properties may act to limit or prohibit the development of new cancerous growths throughout the body. This mushroom has been observed to:

• Alleviate chemotherapy induced nausea;
• Heighten sensitivity to cisplatin therapy (chemotherapy) in ovarian cancer cells;
• Strengthen immune system responses during advanced stages of cancer;
• Stimulate remission in hepatomas (liver tumors);
• Enhance the positive effects of certain radiation therapies;
• Limit incidences of cisplatin nephrotoxicity;
• Reduce development of colorectal adenomas;

The majority of these observations have been made in laboratory or animal experiments. There is little high-quality information about the therapeutic effects of lingzhi mushrooms in humans. Further research and experimentation is necessary before any definitive therapeutic claims can be made.

Can Lingzhi Fight Aging?

As we age, a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease tend to increase.

One of the purported anti-aging benefits of consuming Lingzhi is in reducing these risk factors by decreasing blood pressure. The mushroom is said to cause blood thinning which may improve circulation.

Lingzhi mushroom extracts may support cardiovascular health through a number of mechanisms. For instance, lingzhi mushrooms have been observed to lower LDL and total cholesterol levels, reduce triglycerides, improve glucose utilization, decrease the amount of oxygen used by the heart, raise HDL cholesterol and improve fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Additionally, lingzhi has been observed to induce vasodilation, which may help improve circulation, increase nutrient delivery, reduce blood pressure, decrease healing times, improve endurance and encourage mental clarity.

One of the many traditional uses of lingzhi mushrooms was to clear mucus from the lungs and support respiratory health. Lingzhi is still used to alleviate symptoms of asthma and bronchitis. The particular mechanism underlying this use remains unknown, but many have reported that lingzhi helps improve the symptoms of respiratory conditions.

Other Lingzhi Mushroom Uses

Reishi mushroom exhibits immunomodulating effects and may confer additional health benefits. It is being investigated for its ability to:

• Provide analgesic relief, especially for pains associated with herpes and/or shingles outbreaks;
• Exhibit antibacterial properties to combat infection;
• Provide antiviral properties to help combat viral infections, such as influenza and avian flu;
• Confer potent antioxidant properties that stimulate the immune system and reduce hydroxyl free radical damage;
• Lower blood pressure;
• Enhance the proliferation of nucleated bone marrow cells;
• Increase numbers of natural killer (NK) cells that exhibit cytotoxic effects on tumor cells;
• Cut off the blood flow to tumors, resulting in depleted nutrition and apoptosis (cell death);
• Enhance immune system function;
• Support liver health and stimulate liver detoxification;

Lingzhi Mushroom Negative Effects

Lingzhi mushroom have a long history of medicinal use. It is not commonly associated with severe side effects; however, in rare cases powdered lingzhi has been associated with liver toxicity. [1] Mild and temporary side effects may include digestive upset, headache, itchy skin, dry mouth and throat, nose bleeds, blood in the stool, rashes and allergic reactions to reishi spores.

Reishi mushroom may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. In particular, anyone taking anticoagulant, antiplatelet and/or antihypertensive medications should not supplement with Ganoderma lucidum.

Pregnant and/or nursing women, diabetics, surgery candidates and those with liver and/or kidney disease are not recommended for reishi supplementation. To be sure that lingzhi mushroom extracts are suitable for you, please consult with a medical doctor before beginning supplementation.

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