WellnessResources.com News and Views

Maitake & Other Mushrooms Inhibit Arterial Plaque Formation

Friday, November 18, 2011

Byron Richards, CCN

Researchers at Arizona State University have demonstrated that mushrooms can be protective against cardiovascular disease. Like fruits and vegetables, mushrooms contain nutritional factors that are anti-inflammatory. Some mushrooms, like Maitake, have special fractions (beta glucan) that boost healthy immunity. This study found that all mushroom types tested had the ability to reduce key processes involved with the inflammation that promotes the formation of arterial plaque.

In order for damaged/oxidized LDL cholesterol to accumulate in the walls of your arteries a sequence of inflammatory events must take place. Adhesion molecules enable a “sticky” process to take place, in essence helping to glue damaged LDL cholesterol to your arteries. The research showed that mushrooms of all types were effective at reducing adhesion molecule activation and therefore consequent stickiness. Such nutritional support helps interrupt the process of plaque formation. The researchers concluded that “dietary mushrooms can be protective against cardiovascular disease.”