Medicinal Mushrooms - Chaga

The use of medicinal mushrooms, like Chaga,  dates back to the ancient Egyptians and ancient Chinese cultures that used them to promote general health and longevity. The difference between medicinal mushrooms and the ones you order on your pizza are that medicinal mushrooms contain immune activating beta-glucans and other polysaccharides within their indigestible cell walls.

Chaga is highly sought out because of its ability to work with the body to support the immune system, eliminate toxins, stimulate the central nervous system, maintain skin color and elasticity, and promote a youthful look.

Chaga is one of the superfoods with the highest level of antioxidants (yes, it even beats out the acai berry), which help protect cells from free radicals. 

Chaga is also an important adaptogen, which means its compounds increase the body's ability to adapt to stress, fatigue, anxiety, inflammation, and changing situations. 

Chaga is rich in natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenols, containing the compounds betulin and betulinic acid – which derive directly from host birch trees. Both betulin and betulinic acid may demonstrate anti-tumor effects, which explain why Chaga is known outside of the U. S. as an anti-cancer agent. Additionally, some science shows that betulin may play a beneficial role in controlling metabolic disorders, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. A group of compounds in Chaga called lanostanoids also appear to play significant anti-cancer roles.
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The reported anti-cancer activity of Chaga is not completely understood, but some compounds in the fungus boost immune activity, may help prevent cancer cells from replicating, and others may cause premature cancer cell death. This argues for the utilization of a whole Chaga extract, rather than isolating a single compound. In Chaga, many agents appear to be and may be active against cancer.

One of the most surprising benefits of Chaga is in regards to psoriasis. In one Russian study, psoriasis patients who took Chaga recovered from their condition. Given that psoriasis is notoriously difficult to treat and responds to very little therapies, this effect alone could be of enormous benefit to many.

The compound ergosterol in Chaga, along with related agents, shows anti-inflammatory activity. This may account for why Chaga is thought of as a life-extending agent in China, as inflammation is part of every chronic, degenerative disease. Reducing systemic inflammation can mitigate or help with a variety of health problems, leading to a healthier life – and presumably a longer one.

• Chaga has an ORAC value of nearly 60,000 and is one of the highest natural Vitamin B sources on Earth!!!
• Contains over 215 Phytochemicals – possibly making it the most nutrient rich superfood.
• Over 1400 modern scientific publications indicate these components could offer solutions to many health conditions.
• Potent immune enhancing agent.
• Siberian Chaga is one of nature’s oldest medicinal herbs. Some would say it has been touted worldwide as “The Medicinal King of Herbs”, and a precious gift from nature.
• For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners used Chaga for general health, longevity and beauty and as a remedy for many serious health conditions.
• Chaga Mushroom gets its saturated nutrients from birch trees, rather than from the ground. Siberian Chaga contains large amounts of betulinic acid in a form that can be ingested orally, as well as the full spectrum of immune-stimulating phytochemicals.
• Total Life Changes Siberian Chaga is 100% natural and ensures the purest form of Chaga available. 
• Chaga is extremely rare and is found growing on only about one of every 15,000 birch trees.
• Chaga’s extremely high antioxidant levels make it a great natural resource for helping to counter free radical damage. It’s also an excellent resource for vitamin D, vitamin K, multiple B vitamins and minerals. Chaga’s other constituents include botulin and betulinic acid responsible for many of its positive effects, as well as flavonoids, polysaccharides and other phytonutrients.
• The betulinic acid in Chaga has shown to be helpful and effective for its antioxidants and anti-cancer benefits.
• Chaga helps fortify your immune system, helps support healthy digestion, helps liver function, helps with stress, anxiety and fatigue, and can help promote healthy skin and so much more.
• Chaga helps promotes heart health.   The betulinic acid in Chaga enters the blood stream, where it assists in breaking down harmful LDL cholesterol and may help lower the risk of potential cardiovascular disease.

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Bottom Line: Why Should You Use Chaga? It is a powerful medicinal mushroom that regulates and restores your immune system, protects against infection, and is a documented cancer fighter.  

Who can't use some of that?

BodyNista