A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported on the activity of compounds from Shiitake mushroom in reducing cholesterol production. The authors of this research study from the University of Madrid in Spain report that compounds in the Shiitake mushroom were able to reduce cholesterol production. Other benefits of Shitake mushrooms reported by scientists have been to fight cancer, boost the immune system, prevent thrombosis (i.e. blood clots), and promote weight loss.
To promote heart health the first recommendation should be through diet and exercise. Heart disease continues to be a major cause of death in industrialized countries, however, it is clear there is much confusion about what the best strategy to combat this is. Unfortunately, many physicians skip this and prescribe cholesterol lowering drugs such as statins. There are many side effects to statins that may include increased risk of diabetes, memory problems, liver problems, and more.
In this study the compounds were released from the Shiitake mushroom when they were in water, hence the name water-soluble. These compounds were found to inhibit an enzyme known as HMG-CoA-reductase. But importantly, the chemical structure of these compounds is not the same as statins.
The authors concluded that these compounds, “have the potential to be used as a functional ingredient to design hypolipidemic/ hypocholesterolemic foods” to reduce cholesterol. Shiitake mushrooms are know to contain strong compounds that have been reported to fight inflammation, tumors, viruses, harmful bacteria.
Take away message: Natural compounds from the Shiitake mushroom can reduce the production of cholesterol and are different that the prescription drugs known as statins. Shiitake mushrooms have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the culinary world they are carefully produced by forest farming and for many are a favorite; in addition they can be used to help support a healthy lifestyle.
Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. 2016 March 9; Volume 64 (Issue 9): Pages 1910-20.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Cholesterol, Food, Heart
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