If you’re not paying attention to the food you eat, you’re missing out on the unparalleled opportunity to improve your wellness. Functional foods are foods that help your body function at its best. We eat for various reasons: We’re hungry, we crave certain foods, or we seek comfort. But we rarely think about eating in a way that benefits our health. The epidemics of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity all attest to that fact.
Researchers from the Department of Pharmacology at the Shri Ram Institute of Technology in India have highlighted the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, which have been used for thousands of years. They can modulate the immune system, neutralize oxidizing molecules, and even combat cancer. The researchers conclude that medicinal mushrooms are a relatively untapped health resource. They’re easy to grow and metabolize, and they contain numerous beneficial compounds.
If you want to include more functional foods in your diet, specific formulas containing various mushroom species offer an excellent way to supplement your diet. Combining medicinal mushrooms into a synergistic formula can maximize their immune-boosting properties and provide long-term immune system support.
Besides the Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Lentinus edodes, and Grifola frondosa mushrooms mentioned in the study, several other scientifically researched mushrooms have long been known for their medicinal properties. For example, Hericium erinaceus (also known as Lion’s Mane or Monkey’s Head) supports digestion. Cordyceps sinensis (caterpillar mushroom) supports the liver and kidneys. Tremella fuciformis helps maintain healthy blood sugar. Ganoderma lucidum also protects against the harmful effects of radiation.
Medicinal mushrooms may be at the top of the list of potent therapeutic foods, but they are far from alone. Other high-functioning superfoods include:
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are excellent for your cells and overall health. These vegetables contain brassinin, a compound that supports healthy cell growth, and an array of phytonutrients and antioxidants. They also contain the precursors of the active compound DIM (diindolylmethane), which supports a healthy hormonal balance by promoting the excretion of harmful xenoestrogens—“bad estrogens” we encounter through toxins and pollution.
Berries
Several dark-colored berries, such as acai, blackberry, blueberry, and black raspberry, have been well researched for their health-promoting properties. They contain high levels of antioxidants and other phytonutrient compounds that prevent abnormal cell growth, support immunity, and reduce inflammation, among other benefits.
Fermented Foods
Yogurt, sauerkraut, and other fermented or cultured foods have been staples in many parts of the world for millennia. These foods provide an essential source of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that help fight off harmful pathogens in the intestines and other areas of the body. Beneficial bacteria like those in the lactobacillus family have been shown to promote immune health, fight pathogens, improve nutrient assimilation, prevent abnormal cellular growth, and even benefit our mental and emotional health. Fermented foods are some of the best sources of viable friendly flora.
There are clear advantages to being more conscious of the food we eat, including seeking organic, locally grown produce. However, in today’s world, we need a more targeted approach and should emphasize foods known to provide powerful support for optimal health. These are just a few examples of what will undoubtedly become a long list of functional, healing foods. For more practical health and wellness information, visit www.dreliaz.org.
