Want to boost your workout routine or just want to increase energy or reduce feelings of fatigue? Reishi mushrooms may be able to help protect against exhaustion. In a study conducted by the Zhejiang University of Technology in China, researchers examined the treatment potential of reishi in decreasing oxidative stress and, subsequently, maintaining energy.
Reishi, also known as lingzhi mushroom and Ganoderma lucidum, is one of the oldest medicinal mushrooms since it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. It is believed that reishi mushrooms have antitumor and anti-cancer properties. Previous research suggest it also helps enhance immune system functioning, reduce feelings of depression, lowers blood pressure, and treats hepatitis, bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
Researchers Zhao Zhonghui, Zheng Xiaowei and Fang Fang explain that intense physical activity is associated with a great increase in oxygen uptake and also in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overabundance of ROS can further lead to oxidative stress, which can cause muscle fatigue, muscle damage and a decrease in performance. For their experiment, the researchers focused on testing the protective effects of reishi polysaccharides on oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise.
The Effect of Reishi Polysaccharides on Oxidative Stress
Reishi can reduce oxidative stress: Chinese study
For the study, mice were randomly divided into four groups. One group acted as the control group and were given distilled water over the course of the trial. The other three groups were administered either a low, medium or high dose of reishi extract. Treatment period lasted for 28 days before the subjects were tested with exhaustive swimming exercises. Measures of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, were also taken from the skeletal muscles of the subjects. These antioxidant enzymes are also markers for oxidative stress when decreased.
After analyzing the data, the researchers found that subjects treated with reishi showed increased levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the skeletal muscles. This demonstrates a protective effect against oxidative stress induced by exercise. Based on these results Zhonghui, Xiaowei and Fang believe that reishi mushrooms can be an effective form of treatment to reduce oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise. This provides additional support to the notion that reishi mushrooms can be used to reduce feelings of fatigue.
Please check with your doctor before taking any mushroom supplements. Do not discontinue or make changes to your medication without consulting with your physician first! The author of this story is a staff writer for National Nutraceuticals’ online news portals, such as Amino Acid Information Center athttp://www.aminoacidinformation.com.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3942859/
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