Mushrooms - they are great!

Mushrooms - There are a number of mushrooms that appear to help the body fight cancer and build the immune system - Shiitake, maitake, reishi, Agaricus blazei Murill, and Coriolus Versicolor. These mushrooms contain polysaccharides, especially Lentinan, powerful compounds that help in building immunity. They are a source of Beta Glucan. They also have a protein called lectin, which attacks cancerous cells and prevents them from multiplying. They also contain Thioproline. These mushrooms can stimulate the production of interferon in the body.
Extracts from mushrooms have been successfully tested in recent years in Japan as an adjunct to chemotherapy. PSK is made from the Coriolus Versicolor. Maitake mushroom extract is PCM4.
China has medical texts that are 4,000 years old documenting the benefits of the Reishi mushroom, Shiitake mushroom, and Cordyceps mushroom.
Extracts of the fungus Phellinus linteus that in the wild grows on mulberry trees and that is widely used in Japan, Korea and China for medicinal purposes may help fight cancer by slowing the growth of tumors and starving them of blood.
Extracts of this fungus have been used for centuries in Eastern Ancient medicine where it’s thought to have the power to rejuvenate and extend life.
Recent studies have indicated that the mushroom has the ability of holding back the growth of skin, lung and prostate cancer cells. Researchers also believe that this mushroom increases the amount of prostate cancer cells killed by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin.
Scientists working with breast cancer at Indianapolis’ Methodist Research Institute found evidence that this mushroom blocks the activity of an enzyme called AKT which control signals that lead to cancer cells growth and the development of new blood vessels around them; blood vessels that are vital for the cancer cell survival.

Shiitake Mushroom Nutritional Facts, for 100 grams:
Calories: 296
Calories from Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Total Fat 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 13mg
Total Carbohydrates: 75g
Dietary Fiber: 11g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 10g
Vitamins
Vitamin A: 0%
Vitamin C: 6%
Calcium: 1%
Iron: 10%