Many mushrooms—such as the maitake, shiitake, reishi, and turkey tail—are popular as medicine mainly due to their potency as immune system boosters. Studies about these mushrooms’ ability to fight serious diseases such as AIDS and cancer have also been promising so far. Before you head to your nearest pharmacy, however, here are some things you need to remember to make the most out of your purchase. Check if none of the conventional treatments are working. Are your Vitamin C supplements doing next to nothing in easing your cold symptoms? Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with cancer, but you’re too reluctant to undergo drastic treatments like chemotherapy? Are you looking for an alternative way to stabilize your blood pressure and cholesterol levels? If your answer to questions like these is an absolute “Yes”, you may consider medicinal mushrooms. Consult your doctor. Your doctor may be as knowledgeable as you, if not more so, about your medical history. Ask your doctor for opinions on alternative treatments like mushrooms. Your doctor has likely updated himself on the latest medical trends; if he has, he can offer more reliable information. Read the label carefully. Read the indications, i.e. the diseases that the supplement can treat. Take note of the recommended dosage. If you don’t plan to buy one immediately, write down any unfamiliar ingredients, and look them up to see whether they’re safe for you. Don’t forget to read the side effects and contra-indications—that is, the people who AREN’T allowed to take that supplement. Check the mushroom supplement quality. Look for medicinal mushroom supplements that have a “Certified P-value” on their labels. This means that the fungus has not been cloned more than 10 times; when a mushroom exceeds 10 times of cloning, the medicinal benefits and nutritional quality may deteriorate. If the mushroom is sold as is-- plucked straight from where they grew, look for whole mushrooms, the ones that contain both the cap and the stalk for maximum efficacy. Stop the medication if you’re experiencing side effects. In most advertisements for drugs like medicinal mushroom supplements, you’ll notice a short disclaimer afterwards: “If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.” Take this disclaimer seriously. Even after taking the necessary precautions, it may turn out that your body doesn’t react well to that type of mushroom. Remember that your health is an investment, so choose your medicinal mushroom supplements carefully. Like any other medicine, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy body if you consume medicinal mushrooms properly. For more information on these fungi, read transformyourhealth.com/webnewsletters/may08/mushroomarticle.htm.
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