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 ...
There are supplements now available, if mushrooms aren’t your thing.
Every cell in our body has an ion channel specifically for ergothioneine. It is transported into a specific location within mitochondria, where free radicals are made a nutrients are turned into energy for the cell. It is very specially needed, as our mitochondria have a built-in process to renew/regenerate ergothioneine to make it survive up to three to four weeks, in that location.
Some gut bacteria can make small amounts of it.
It serves as a backup antioxidant to glutathione and superoxide dismutase, as well, in some functions. These are antioxidants we make, at least when we are young. When we age, we then have to supplement glycine, cysteine, and taurine, to create them, according to recent studies I’ve posted here on Free Republic.
Or you could eat lots of Black Beans.
Of course that could cost you friends and make you the butt of jokes.
Ping.
My dog and I were taking Turkey Tail religiously (pup for cancer, I after reading how beneficial TT is), but there were so many types that it became overwhelming so I quit my purchases after pup died.
Curious, I wonder about micro-dosing something like mushroom to stimulate the neural paths—sort of like a roto-rooter for the brain to clear out the debris. I know that work has been done with micro dosing, especially for vets suffering PSTD with good results, but as for forestalling dementia, etc has there been similar work done?
Bkmk
Thank you. This has been known for a long time. Residents near mushroom plants in Japan have a 50% reduction in Cancer rates from their mushroom consumption. Eat a mushroom a day, even on is enough.
Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) very noticeably improves my recall ability, over several years of trials and different products. But I have found some products to be much more potent than others. The better ones seem to have both mycelium and fruit body extracts. Haven’t yet looked to see how LM fits into the categories of mushrooms listed in the article.
::Eat mushrooms, preferably not normal button mushrooms....”
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Your excerpt mentions white button mushrooms as a good source. Are they different from button mushrooms?
::Eat a mushroom a day....::
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Advice from Fungi...hmmmm.... :)
And make sure it is cooked....
“Of course that could cost you friends and make you the butt of jokes.”
Oh no you di’int.
“Of course that could cost you friends and make you the butt of jokes.”
Look in your local health food store for ‘Stamets 7’. I had Hep C and they dropped my viral load by 50% in a month. My doctor didn’t want to discuss it.
I dunno what kind of shrooms are on that mushroom teriyaki burger, but I’ll take this article as permission to induldge at least once a month
I definitely could use more mushrooms. Love them.
They are the same. White button mushrooms have little of the good stuff.
p
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