Posted on 12/19/2022 4:18:57 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A recent study revealed that low levels of ergothioneine (ET) in blood plasma may predict an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
It was only in 2005 when scientists discovered a transporter specific for ET that facilitates the uptake and accumulation of ET in the body.
Prof Halliwell demonstrated that ET is avidly retained in the human body following oral supplementation, and in preclinical models, ET is transported to almost all organs, although higher levels can be found in specific cells and tissues such as the blood cells, eyes, liver, lungs, and even the brain.
Earlier work demonstrated the potent antioxidant properties of ET and later its ability to protect cells from a range of different forms of stress and toxins. As its main dietary source is in mushrooms, it was found that increasing consumption of mushrooms such as golden, oyster, shiitake and white button mushrooms is associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment in elderly Singaporeans.
The researchers showed that participants with lower levels of ET displayed poorer cognitive performance at the start of the study and an accelerated rate of decline in cognitive and functional abilities over the follow-up period.
The team also observed structural changes in the brain seen from MRI scans of participants, which suggested that the association between a low ET level in blood and cognitive decline was due to underlying disease pathology. These structural changes, including reduced cortical thickness, lower hippocampus volume, and white matter hyperintensities, are characteristic of neurodegenerative disease.
"This points to using a simple blood test to detect ET levels," said Prof Halliwell. He added that low ET levels are also associated with a number of other age-related diseases such as frailty, cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration, so ET may have a more general role in maintaining health.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
B4l8tr
Okay. Thanks.
The main ergothioneine “benefit” from white button mushrooms is that they are available everywhere for the lowest price for mushrooms. They also taste great.
There are other benefits to white button mushrooms, but for ergothioneine you’d need to eat a whole lot more.
Could you pleasw quantify “a whole lot” of button mushrooms? TIA
Also, where do portabella mushrooms fall on this scale?
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