Joint complaints - vital mushrooms as a therapy option
Osteoarthritis is on the rise in industrialized countries. That alone should serve as a clue for us. The statement “In the industrialized nations” refers to the way we live and eat. And we have an influence on those. Today, osteoarthritis is less regarded as the classic sign of wear and tear that inevitably occurs with advancing age, but is increasingly affecting younger people.
Until now, science thought it was solely related to obesity, which is present in most sufferers. Recent studies show that an unhealthy diet (fried, baked, deep-fried food) can cause cartilage damage within just a few weeks. The fact that nutrition has a major influence on joint health is shown by patients who very quickly become pain-free with a change in diet to a plant-based, alkaline wholefoods diet. Of course, “a rolling stone gathers no moss”. Sufficient exercise and the correction of incorrect posture are part of a healthy lifestyle.
A sensible component of a joint diet can also be mushrooms. Here are some that are particularly healthy, as they provide the body with antioxidants and other valuable ingredients. In addition, so-called “vital mushrooms” have been traditionally used for thousands of years for joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. This is how the terms “fungal medicine” or “mycotherapy” came into being. For therapeutic use, the mushrooms are dried, ground and put into capsules.
Two of these valuable medicinal or vital mushrooms are called Reishi and Shiitake. Both are known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. They are important “basic fungi” in all joint diseases. Shiitake also perfectly complements an alkaline diet and deacidification measures, which are essential for joint rheumatism or gout.
In all diseases, animal protein in particular is considered a possible trigger with regard to the increase of uric acid, but also inflammation. Incidentally, elevated uric acid is also a possible cause of elevated blood pressure and requires additional kidney support to remove excess acids from the body.
The kidneys benefit from warm tea, vegetable protein and an adequate amount of daily drink. A valuable fungal support for the kidneys is provided by cordyceps. This is a mushroom used for general strengthening, exhaustion, but also for lung diseases or to support detoxification.
Another exciting mushroom for the musculoskeletal system is Pleurotus ostreatus. It is used for tense muscles and for the care of ligaments and tendons. Pleurotus can also be used when cartilage has already been damaged. Omega-3 fatty acids or glucosamine, such as those found in green-lipped mussels, are very important for healthy cartilage. Since it makes sense to use pleurotus and green-lipped mussel together for cartilage support, some manufacturers even offer them as a mixture in capsules.
With the right strategy of exercise, diet and natural products such as the vital mushrooms, there is a chance to avoid new knee joints and surgery, which is fraught with risks.
The health of our gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal flora can play an important role in rheumatic complaints or autoimmune diseases in general. An excessively permeable intestinal mucosa allows too many proteins and bacterial components into the blood and promotes chronic inflammatory conditions.
Therefore, intestinal rehabilitation with mushrooms such as Hericium and Reishi can provide good support here. The two mushrooms can help increase intestinal density and promote healthy intestinal flora. They can be supplemented with herbal substances such as curcuma or frankincense, which are traditionally used for inflammatory diseases.
An important note on the purchase of suitable mushrooms: We therefore recommend buying mushrooms from controlled organic cultivation. Especially proven so-called “mushroom powder from the whole mushroom” in BIO quality. This contains all the effective ingredients of the vital mushrooms. Mushroom powder should always be used in capsules, as it molds very quickly – and often not visibly – when packed loose.
