Chaga Medicinal Mushroom A Powerful Antioxidant Against Free Radicals
A recent study on the antioxidant properties of Chaga medicinal mushroom has proved what traditional medicine has believed for centuries: the beneficial effects of medicinal mushrooms. Chaga medicinal mushroom destroys harmful free radicals in our bodies.
Free radicals are a product of oxidation. They are caused by many external toxins, such as cigarette smoke and air pollution. Pesticides and other environmental toxins can also cause free radicals to be developed in our bodies.
Free radicals are damaged cells, chemically driven to replace their damaged molecules. They do this by attacking our healthy cells. Free radicals can damage the DNA of our healthy cells, which then mutate. It is this mutation that causes many diseases.
The free radicals cause a chain reaction which can overwhelm our natural defenses. Repeated free radical attacks can lead to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Antioxidants from Chaga medicinal mushrooms destroy free radicals
Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants stop the chain reactions caused by free radicals, and prevent more free radicals being formed. Antioxidants are found in many foods, especially medicinal mushrooms, and are widely used in dietary supplements.
Researchers (Haibo Mu, Amin Zhang, et al) at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine developed a study to investigate the antioxidative properties of Chaga medicinal mushrooms.
Chaga medicinal mushroom is a parasitic fungus found on birch and other trees. Chaga grows very slowly, and is found only in cold habitats. Chaga has been used for centuries as medicinal mushrooms in Russian and Eastern European folk medicine, with little toxic side effects.
The study found that Chaga medicinal mushroom can protect our cells, and can destroy free radicals. These valuable antioxidant effects could be the basis for creating natural antioxidants and preventing diseases.