Wholistic Fitness

Most Precious Sangha,

how long has it been since you sunk your precious teeth into a Portabella Burger and TAF to yourself, “Wow…this is REALLY, REALLY awesome!”?     or, when you have a salad or miso soup adorned by those daintily shaped mushrooms which impart such an exquisite texture, taste, and chi?   Well,   did you know that mushrooms enhance immune function and protect against cancer?

Mushrooms support the immune system.
Mushrooms contain specialized lectins (ABL) that recognize cancer cells, and prevent the cells from growing and dividing. Mushroom phytochemicals enhance the activity of natural killer cells, which are specialized immune cells that attack and destroy virus-infected and cancerous cells.

Mushrooms are unique in their breast cancer preventing (anti-aromatase) effects
Frequent consumption of mushrooms (approximately 1 button mushroom per day) has been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer by 64%. Mushrooms are thought to protect against breast cancer particularly because they inhibit an enzyme called aromatase, which produces estrogen. Mushrooms are one of the very few foods that inhibit aromatase (pomegranate is another), and several varieties of mushrooms, especially the commonly eaten white button and portobello mushrooms, have strong anti-aromatase activity.

Mushrooms protect against all cancers.
Consumption of mushrooms does not only protect against breast cancer. In addition to anti-aromatase activity, white, cremini, portobello, oyster, maitake, and reishi mushrooms have all been shown to have a wide variety of anti-cancer properties. These effects have been studied in relation to stomach, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.

Mushrooms add unique flavors and textures to vegetable dishes, and are delicious paired with fresh herbs. Combining mushrooms with the onion family, green and cruciferous vegetables, and beans, creates delicious, healthful, and powerfully protective meals. Keep in mind that mushrooms should only be eaten cooked: several raw culinary mushrooms contain a potentially carcinogenic substance called agaritine, and cooking mushrooms significantly reduces their agaritine content.

perhaps,  reading this Teaching has left you MUCH ROOM in your Awareness for more MUSHRO(OM)S!!!

head bowed,

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