My personal healing story with medicinal mushrooms begins with a long history of having crazy munchies. Munchies are what happens when you get low blood sugar and you feel super hungry. I thought it was just because at that time in my life I used cannabis, however after I stopped using cannabis recreationally, the munchies continued. Until I started supplementing with Reishi and Chaga. When i make tea in the evenings from these mushroom extracts, I don't wake up hungry, and i sleep like a stone.
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their health benefits. Among the many types of mushrooms, reishi and chaga are especially known for their ability to help manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a fungus that grows in hot and humid regions all around the world. It has a variety of potential health benefits, including boosting the immune system, fighting cancer and reducing inflammation. Reishi mushroom may also help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels by affecting the genes and pathways involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. For example, one study found that reishi extract reduced blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels in diabetic mice. Another study showed that reishi polysaccharides improved insulin resistance and lipid profile in obese rats. However, more human studies are needed to confirm these effects. My personal experience with Reishi already does confirm these claims.
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a fungus that grows on birch trees in cold climates. It has been used for centuries in Russia and northern Europe as a remedy for various ailments, such as infections, inflammation and digestive problems. Chaga mushroom is rich in antioxidants, which may protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Chaga may also help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels by modulating the activity of enzymes and hormones involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. For instance, one study found that chaga extract lowered blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels in diabetic mice. Another study showed that chaga extract reduced blood glucose and increased antioxidant levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi and chaga may have beneficial effects on blood sugar and cholesterol levels by influencing the genes, enzymes, hormones and pathways involved in glucose and lipid metabolism.
References
6 Benefits of Reishi Mushroom (Plus Side Effects and Dosage)
Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology - PMC
4 Benefits of Chaga Mushrooms – Cleveland Clinic
