What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that destroys memory and other important cognitive functions. Initially, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience mild confusion and problems with memory and recall. However, over time people with this disease may forget important loved ones and suffer extreme changes in personality.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent cause of dementia, a group of brain disorders that cause the loss of intellectual and social skills. In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells deteriorate and die, causing diminished capacity of memory and cognition.

The medications and control strategies that are used today to treat Alzheimer’s disease can temporarily improve symptoms. However, since Alzheimer’s disease is degenerative and has no cure, it is important to seek support services and get in touch with professionals as soon as possible.

Which mushrooms have useful properties for Alzheimer’s?

The below mushrooms that have the best results for the brain support. They help with the regeneration of neuronal connections and have a high antioxidant profile to combat the premature aging and deterioration of brain cells.

Lion's Mane Hifas da Terra

 Lion’s mane

Regenerates tissues that favor neuronal connections and improves brain function
The action of Lion’s mane is based both on its ability to regenerate myelin and on the regeneration of new synapses thanks to its content in hericenones and erinacines, which act as agents that enhance the nerve growth factor (NGF).

The extract of Lion’s mane promotes the neuronal stability and the normal development of the brain cells without showing toxic effects or damage in these cells.

In some study performed in people with mild cognitive impairment, an improvement in cognitive functions was observed after the ingestion of the lion’s mane.

Reishi Hifas da Terra: useful properties

Reishi

Powerful antioxidant. Reduces cell aging
Reishi has the most anti-aging effects of all the mushrooms. Free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species, are capable of oxidizing molecules that result in cell death or tissue damage and Reishi counteracts this damaging process with its potent antioxidant properties.

 

Nutritional recommendations and general healthy habits for the maintenance of a good state of health

  • Have a varied diet.
  • Do not take foods that are too hot or too cold.
  • Consume water in abundance.
  • Avoid toxic environments and contaminated with smoke, tobacco …
  • Stroll through natural areas, parks … where you can breathe purer air without polluting.
  • Avoid meat products, especially red meat and derivatives such as sausages.
  • In general, you can not take baked goods or pastries.
  • You should also avoid the consumption of pre-cooked and dried fast-food type soup soups.
  • Avoid or reduce salt consumption to a minimum. When you consume it, choose preferably unrefined salt. You can substitute the garnishes of the meals with spices, for example.
  • To cook and dress your dishes, always use extra virgin olive oil, prioritizing its raw consumption.
  • Our advice is to take fatty or semi-fatty fish (blue fish) 2 to 3 times a week. Varies the fish: salmon, red mullet, sardines, horse mackerel, bonito, tuna, mackerel, anchovy, etc.
  • Increase the daily consumption of vegetables.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not consume industrial processed products rich in sugars, salt, oils and additives that are harmful to health (cookies, toast, bread, industrial cereals …).
  • It prioritizes the consumption of whole grains and avoids refined flours (white bread, pasta, biscuits …).
  • The techniques of preparation of preference are: cooking, steaming or iron. Do not take fried, breaded, barbecued or barbecues.
  • It is important to perform some activity that improves breathing or lung function, deep breathing exercises, outdoors, yoga ..
  • Perform some relaxing activity such as meditation to regulate stress levels.
  • Eat seated and relaxed. Rest before and after meals especially in chronic lung disease.

References

  1. Klaus AS, Kozarski MS, Nikšić MP (2011) Antioxidant properties of hot water extracts from carpophore and spores of mushroom Ganoderma lucidum. Proceedings for Natural Science, Matica Srpska Novi Sad 120, 277-286.
  2. Kozarski MS, Klaus AS, Nikšić MP (2011) Extract from wild strain of mushroom Ganoderma lucidum as natural antioxidant. Proceedings for Natural Science, Matica Srpska Novi Sad 120, 287-295.
  3. Ma BJ, Shen JW, Yu HY, Ruan Y, Wu TT, Zhao X (2010) Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus. Mycology 1, 92-98.
  4. Moldavan M, Grygansky AP, Kolotushkina OV, Kirchhoff B, Skibo GG, Pedarzani P (2007) Neurotropic and trophic action of Lion’s Mane mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) extracts on nerve cells in vitro. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 9, 15-28.
  5. Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T (2009) Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research 23, 367-372.
  6. Kawagishi H, Zhuang C (2008) Compounds for dementia from Hericium erinaceum. Drugs of the Future 33, 149-155.
  7. Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, Azumi Y, Kinugasa S, Inatomi S, Nakahata N (2008) Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 31, 1727-1732.