NEWSLETTER: NOVEMBER 2011
MUSHROOMS FOR YOUR HEALTH
A mushroom is the visible fruit of a fungal organism that lives underground or in various dead plant materials. The fruit produces spores which allow for the reproduction of the fungus. The fungus exists as a mycelium which is a network of delicate filaments called hyphae that form the body of a fungus. Unlike other plants, fungi lack chlorophyll and are unable to manufacture their own food. They extract nutrients from their environment.
The mushroom life cycle starts when spores are released from the visible fruiting body of the mushroom. When environmental conditions are right, the spores germinate, sending out the tiny threads called hyphae. The hyphae must find other hyphae that are compatible. When two compatible hyphae meet, they fuse together to form a mycelium. This mycelium eventually forms what is known as a hyphal knot which grows and develops into a pinhead which in turn grows and develops into a mushroom and then it all starts again.
Many beneficial compounds are formed by the fungal mycelium during its growth into a fully developed mushroom. Additional beneficial compounds are found in the fruiting body and spores of the mushroom. A number of mushrooms have been shown to have specific benefits for human health. Among them are the Shitake, Reishi, Maitake and Cordyceps.
SHIITAKE:
The name shiitake is Japanese and is named after a type of evergreen tree on which the mushrooms often grow. Shiitake mushrooms grow in the Far East, mainly Japan, China, and Korea. They fruit from spring to late summer or early fall. When exposed to sunlight during the growing process, this mushroom produces high amounts of vitamin D. Shiitake contains lentinan which is a specific kind of polysaccharide, known as a Beta-D-Glucan. Beta-D-Glucan appears to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. Research indicates lentinan fights stomach cancer by preventing enzymes from metabolizing carcinogens in the stomach and colon into more active forms. For this reason, shiitake mushrooms are thought to be especially beneficial for those suffering from stomach and colorectal cancers.
REISHI:
There are several species of Reishi and a number of varieties within these species. Reishi grows on hardwoods such as maples, oaks and elms throughout the world. They prefer tropical and subtropical climates. They are very rare to find in the wild so most reishi sold today is cultivated commercially. The Japanese government officially lists reishi mushrooms as a cancer treatment. Reishi contains multiple active compounds such as Beta-D-Glucan which appear to stimulate the immune system. Some research indicates compounds in Reishi stimulate the production of T cells which do battle against pathogens and cancer cells. Triterpenes are steroid like molecules found in Reishi that inhibit histamine release and have anti-inflammatory properties. Reishi's effects are cumulative. You probably won't notice anything after taking it just once or sporadically. Take it every day and be patient. It can take a few weeks to 2 months to notice an effect.MAITAKE:
Maitake mushrooms are most commonly found in the Northeastern areas of the United States and Canada. They also exist in hardwood forests in parts of Japan, China, and Europe. Like shiitake and reishi, maitake contains Beta-Glucans that stimulate the immune system. An extract of these glucans was patented and is known as maitake D-fraction. The terms "D-fraction" is simply referring to a concentration of certain maitake polysaccharides. Research has shown maitake D-fraction to regress tumors, especially in cases of breast, liver, and lung cancer.
CORDYCEPS:
Cordyceps are found primarily in the high altitudes of the Tibetan plateau in China. Cordyceps has a long history of use in heart disease. This mushroom has been shown to dilate blood vessels and thus improve blood circulation throughout the body. Reduced heart rate and relief from arrhythmias have been shown in animals given cordyceps. Hypotensive (lowering of blood pressure) and relaxation of the vascular system have been demonstrated in animal studies using this mushroom. Some studies have shown increases in oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and greater endurance when using cordyceps.
The four mushrooms we have briefly reviewed can be purchased as separate products or in combination in a single product. They are usually available as capsules or tablets. Many other mushrooms are also being used to enhance immunity, support respiration, improve cognitive function and promote healthy liver function. Companies that market mushroom products will use the whole mushroom, certain parts of the mushroom, extracts of certain compounds found in the mushroom or some combination of all these methods. One company, called New Chapter Organics, recently marketed a line of mushroom products where they use the entire plant (mycelium, extracellular compounds, fruiting body and spores) to make their products. It is believed this approach insures one is getting the full spectrum of potential benefits available from the mushrooms being used. Please see our “Product of the Month” page for more details on this line of products.
Mushrooms are used around the world to enhance immunity, fight cancer, improve cardio health and promote general wellbeing. We encourage you to use mushroom products to facilitate overall improved health and to deal with specific health concerns.
GREEN FOOD NUTRITION
NEWSLETTER: DECEMBER/JANUARY 2011/2012
Green plants provide a level of nutrition unparalleled among all the foods we humans eat. Green plants are foundational to life and supply the wide range of nutrients our bodies need for repair and maintenance. Life begins and ends at the cellular level. Every cell in our body requires a daily intake of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, proteins, enzymes and dozens of other nutritional components. Even a minor deficiency of some of these nutrients can reduce the body’s ability to protect and repair itself and can manifest itself in disease. Healthy cells produce healthy tissue which in turn generates healthy organs and overall well-being.
Our bodies were designed to require a broad spectrum of nutrients in order to facilitate the proper function of all body processes. These nutrients are often missing in the standard American diet which consists of processed and refined foods. Consequently, we are experiencing a great many health problems and much degenerative disease. Eating a daily portion of green foods will go a long way in preventing disease and providing the level of health we all desire.
Because heating green foods destroys their enzymes, some vitamins and alters other nutritional components, eating a portion of raw greens on a daily basis will maximize the amount of nutritional benefit you receive. Greens such as romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, Swiss chard, broccoli and green peppers will provide you a wide spectrum of nutrition. These greens are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes and have an abundance of health-promoting phytonutrients such as carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) and flavonoids (proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols) which provide you with powerful antioxidant protection. Kale is considered the most nutrient dense food you can eat. Spinach has been shown to protect against prostate cancer and enhance heart health.
While eating this mix of greens on a daily basis is the ideal, I know that many people just don’t have the time or will to daily put together a salad that features the variety of greens necessary to insure optimal nutritional intake. For those not able to daily eat a large salad of nutritious greens, I recommend adding a green food concentrate to your diet and virtually having your daily salad in a glass. At Milk ‘N Honey we feature a product called Barleylife which provides you with the nutrients found in the aforementioned green foods and a whole lot more.
WHAT IS BARLEYLIFE?
Barleylife is a concentrated green food made from the dehydrated juice of the leaves of the barley plant to which some sea kelp and a small portion of brown rice is added. Formerly known as Barleygreen, this product was developed by Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara of Japan and has been available in America since 1982. After many years of research into over 200 varieties of green plants, including all the cereal grasses, Dr. Hagiwara concluded that it was in the leaves of the barley plant that are found the widest spectrum of nutrients in the best possible balance for the human body. Dr. Hagiwara added kelp to provide additional trace minerals and brown rice for additional B-vitamin content.
Barleylife is the result of growing barley grass organically, (without the use of any chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides), to a height of 10 to 12 inches at which point the barley grass is at its peak nutritional level. It is then cut, washed, juiced and spray dried in a vacuum at 97 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 to 3 seconds. A small amount of kelp and brown rice powder are then added and the product is vacuum packaged in canisters for distribution. By processing Barleylife at a temperature less than 100 degrees, the many nutrients in this food are able to be preserved in a very biologically active state. This includes the enzymes which normally get destroyed by heating a food over 120 degrees. Barleylife is produced at the site where the barley grass is grown within a very short time frame from when the grass is harvested. This rapid processing allows for the many nutrients in Barleylife to be preserved at peak quality and availability to the body.
Barleylife has been analyzed to contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and enzymes. This product contains most of the amino acids that make up proteins in our body. Barleylife is a rich source of chlorophyll, bioflavonoids and essential fatty acids. Chlorophyll stimulates hemoglobin production in the body which is vital to oxygen delivery to all body cells. Chlorophyll is a strong detoxifying agent for the liver. Barleylife is a good source of beta-carotene and other carotenoids and provides a generous supply of potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Barleylife provides the body with an alkaline food which serves to reduce the high acid pH levels associated with eating the standard American diet which is high in acid-forming foods. Science has demonstrated that an alkaline pH protects the body from disease. Barleylife has been shown to help detoxify the body and very strongly support liver function and boost the ability of the immune system to protect us from a variety of viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Using Barleylife on a daily basis has been found to strengthen the bodies overall ability to fight disease of all kinds because of the manner in which this product provides nutrition to the billions of cells that make up our bodies.
BENEFITS YOU CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM BARLEYLIFE:
The absence of disease does not necessarily mean the presence of wellness. Wellness is the ability of our various body systems to meet daily biological demands and still have something in reserve for emergencies. It is in this area of meeting daily biological demands, while providing for a measure of organ reserve, that Barleylife has its greatest value.
We have many customers using Barleylife and I have personally used this product for the past 24 years. Over the years we have received many unsolicited testimonials were we are told that using Barleylife on a daily basis has resulted in more energy, stronger immunity, more mental clarity and a greater sense of wellbeing.
HOW TO TAKE BARLEYLIFE:
Barleylife comes as a powder and can be easily mixed in a glass of water or juice and drank as a “liquid salad” (We call it a salad in a glass). When using Barleylife for the first time, it’s best to begin with a level teaspoon per day for the first week, then go to a heaping teaspoon the second week and to a heaping tablespoon or more per day beginning the third week. BarleyLife is best taken on an empty stomach, one-half hour before eating. Barleylife is also available in capsules.
Taking Barleylife on a daily basis provides a margin of safety and protection from the kind of nutritional deficiencies so common in America. I encourage you to try Barleylife and experience the difference it will make as to your health and wellbeing.