Blueberries are tiny, but they are mighty, disease-fighting warriors. Brimming with health-promoting compounds, they provide a delicious boost to the heart, immune system, brain, eyes, and musculoskeletal system.
Boosting the Immune System
Cell damage caused by unstable oxygen molecules called free radical weakens the immune system. This damage is also linked to aging and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer. Bluberries are nature's wonders, bursting with the goodness of antioxidants to protect the body by neutralizing free radicals. They are one of the richest sources of antioxidants, making them a powerful supporter of the immune system.
Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Just 100g of fresh blueberries can deliver the antioxidant capacity of five servings of some fruits and vegetables.
Supporting Heart and Liver Health
Keep your heart happy with blueberries. Thanks to their high antioxidant activity, blueberries help reduce the buildup of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, thereby preventing cardiovascular disease and stoke. Resveratrol in blueberries has an anticoagulant effect that prevents the formation of blood clots that may block blood vessels and cause heart attacks and stroke.
Helping to Prevent Cancer
Blueberries contain more than 40 healthful compounds with high antioxidant activity that may reduce risk of certain types of cancer. Scientific research shows that pterostilbene in blueberries has immense potential in breast cancer prevention. Folate in blueberries may help guard against cervical cancer. Consuming blueberries may reduce liver cancer risk. Researchers found that phenolic acids and anthocyanins in blueberries inhibited the growth of liver cancer cells by 50%. Resveratrol and ellagic acid in blueberries have shown significant anticancer effects and may delay the aging process.
Protecting Brain Cells
A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that one group of volunteers in their 70s with early memory decline drank the equivalent of 2-2.5 cups of a commercially available blueberry juice everyday for two months. A control group drank a beverage without blueberry juice. The blueberry juice group showed significant improvement on learning and memory tests. Another study showed that people who ate a cup of blueberries a day performed 5%-6% better on motor skills tests than the control group.
Blueberries are rich in quercetin. Quercetin has been found to be particularly effective in protecting brain cells from free radical damage that can lead to dementia. One study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that quercetin protected rats' brains from damage due to exposure to hydrogen peroxide, a free radical.
Research at the University of Reading has found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, can reverse age-related memory decline and may have implications for the treatment of diseases associated with age (such as Alzheimer's disease). Published in Free Radical Biology & Medicine, that research shows that supplementing a regular diet with blueberries results in improvements in memory.
Improving Vision
Individuals who spend long periods staring at computer screens should eat more blueberries. According to Japanese research, blueberries ease eyes fatigue and improve weak eyesight. Blueberry consumption increases circulation of the capillaries of the eyes, which reduces oxidation in these tissues. This action benefits eyesight. It is thought to be especially helpful in preventing diabetic retinopathy, a disease of the retina due to diabetes mellitus, as well as night blindness, cataracts, and macular degeneration, an age-related eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly.
Fortifying Bones and Muscles
Blueberries contain manganese, an essential trace mineral important for many chemical reactions in the body. Manganese also aids in keeping bones strong. Studies show that malvidin glycosides in blueberries may be beneficial in alleviating muscle damage caused by oxidative stress. Blueberries contain flavonoids, which help strengthen connective tissue.
Anti-allergy Effect
Blueberries reduce the production of histamines, which are the inflammatory substances the body produces that are responsible for allergy symptoms. Promoting Urinary Tract Health
Research shows that phytochemicals in blueberries called proanthocyanidins prevent urinary tract infections by inhibiting E.coli bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.
What is Immune System?
The immune system is an amazing, proactive defense mechanism. Its complex network of white blood cells, antibodies and other immune chemicals and organs offers us around-the-clock protection against invaders. When there is a cut on the skin, the immune system works actively to heal it and stop the entry of microbes like viruses and bacteria. As our cells continuously reproduce, a strong immune system also helps to detect and defeat cell mutations that could lead to cancer.
Most diseases are the result of a malfunctioning immune system. The immune system may malfunction in one or both of the following ways:
A Weak Immune System
You may have come across someone who constantly gets sick – be it with flu, a cough, cold or even stomach discomfort. Have you ever wondered why some people recover quickly while others take longer or just never fully recover? The answer lies in our immune system.
The air we breathe, the food we eat and the surfaces we touch are always teeming with disease-causing dust, pollutants, fungi, parasites and germs like viruses and bacteria. Once our body is weak, these toxic agents will easily overwhelm the immune system and cause illnesses.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one example of a disease linked with a weak immune system. Once AIDS sets in, the immune system is critically compromised and unable to effectively combat dangerous germs. Cancer is also a sign that our immune system is weak. Chemotherapy, a type of radiation treatment for cancer, further weakens the immune system – this is why cancer patients are easily afflicted with flu, coughs and colds.
A Hyperactive Immune System
The immune system can be also malfunction by over-reacting of turning against the body’s own cells. This often leads to allergies or autoimmune diseases.
An allergic reaction, such as a respiratory allergy, skin allergy or food allergy, occurs when the immune system reacts against non-threatening agents, such as plant pollen, animal fur, dust and some types of food.
An autoimmune disease occurs when our immune system mistakenly attacks our body’s own healthy cells. Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus are all examples of common autoimmune diseases.
Doctor treats allergies and autoimmune diseases by prescribing drugs to suppress the immune response. Such treatment usually results in a weakened immune system, thus, leaving us more susceptible to diseases. And usually, such drugs only stop the symptoms, such as swelling or pain. They do not completely cure the disease. In addition, medications result in a wide array of harmful side effects. Immune Organs
The first line of defence – skin: When invaders are sighted, Langerhans cells sound the warning bell. Antibacterial substances within our sweat and sebum trap bacteria while tears and mucus membranes secrete enzymes to break down the invader’s cell wall.
Soldier Factory – Bone Marrow: Bone marrow creates red blood cells and white blood cells, the soldiers of the immune system. Every second, about 8 million blood cells die and the same number are regenerated here.
Training Ground – The Thymus: Just as soldiers train for war through the navy, infantry and air force, the thymus assigns T cells their duties in fighting illnesses. The thymus also secretes immune-regulating hormones.
Battlegrounds – The Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes are little pockets of battlegrounds with billions of white blood cells. When fighting infections, lymph nodes swell with foreign invaders and immune cells to the point where you can actually feel them. Swollen lymph nodes are a good indication that you have an infection and your immune system is hard at work. As the army’s drainage system, lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid, which carries away waste products like viruses and bacteria. The body contains about four times more lymph than blood.
Blood Filter – The Spleen: The spleen is a blood reservoir. It filters the blood by removing dead blood cells as well as engulfed viruses and bacteria. It also activates B cells to produce large amounts of antibodies.
Throat Guard – The Tonsils: The tonsils maintain constant vigilance against invaders that gain access to the body through the nose and mouth. People who have had their tonsils removed show a marked increase in getting Strep throat and Hodgkin’s disease – indicating the importance og the tonsils in upper respiratory tract protection.
Immune Assistant – The Appendix: The appendix assists with B cell maturation and antibody (IgA) production. It also acts like a traffic coordinator, producing molecules that direct the movement of white blood cells to other parts of the body. The appendix also exposes white blood cells to the invaders present in the digestive tract and helps suppress potentially harmful antibody response while promoting local immunity.
Intestinal Guards – Peyer’s Patches: Like the appendix, Peyer’s patches react to invaders in the intestines. They are vital to the control of microbial invaders in our food.
Immune Cells
Specific Fighters – B Cells & Antibodies: B cells provide humeral immunity – protection via antibodies circulating in our bodily fluids like serum and the lymph. B cells are soldiers who fight invaders by producing antibodies specific to them. Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are our enemy-seeking missiles. They track and lock onto assigned invaders before triggering immune responses to destroy the invaders. Some B cells become “memory” cells. So, if the same invader attacks again, they are quickly identified and antibodies are immediately produced to fight against them.
Non-Specific Fighters – T Cells: T cells give the body cellular immunity. They provide non-specific immunity by seeking and destroying enemies regardless of type. Helper T cells are the commanders of the immune system. They rouse and issue orders to other soldiers through chemical messengers. Cytotoxic T cells and NK cells are lethal snipers who shoot holes into invaders. Once the infection is controlled, suppressor T cells regulate antibody production and call an end to the war.
Enemy Eaters – Phagocytes & Granulocytes: Phagocytes, such as monocytes and macrophage, are large cell eaters that engulf and digest the enemy. Macrophages are multitasking immune cells. Apart from cleansing the body of debris and aged blood cells, they also secrete chemicals to bring other immune cells to where the invasion is taking place. Granulocytes, like neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils, destroy invaders through potent chemical granules. For example, pus from a serious infection contains dead neutrophils and other war debris.
The Amazing Longevity Herb
Did you know there is a plant with such strong life force that if you pluck a leaf today, a new one will sprout tomorrow? This amazing plant is ashitaba.
Ashita means tomorrow and ba means leaf in Japanese. Native to Japan's Hachijo Island, ashitaba has long been used by the island's inhabitants as both food and medicine. Because of its strong life force, ashitaba is well known as a longevity herb.
Ashitaba is renowned for its healing properties, and the Japanese use it to improve overall health.
In traditional medicine, ashitaba is a rejuvenating food that contributes to long life. Hachijo Island used to be a place of exile for convicts during the Edo period. Despite hard labor and poor diets, the convicts lived long lives. Their unlikely longevity was attributed to the continual consumption of ashitaba, for which they foraged.
Superb Nutrition Flavonoids
Flavonoids are naturally occurring plant pigments with antioxidant effects. Some flavonoids have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and stroke. Luteolin 7-glucoside and isoquercitrin are among the different flavonoids present in ashitaba.
Coumarins
Coumarins are potent antioxidants with anticancer properties. They are particularly abundant in ashitaba. An example of a coumarin in ashitaba is laserpitin.
Chlorophyll
Ashitaba is rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment present in plants and responsible for collecting and storing energy from the sun. Chlorophyll stimulates the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body's tissues. It is also excellent for cleansing the blood and liver and promotes the growth of friendly intestinal bacteria. Chlorophyll has antioxidant properties and helps prevent DNA damage, thereby inhibiting cancer activation.
Chalcones
Cut ashitaba's stem and a sticky yellow sap flows out. This sap is very precious - only a few milligrams can be collected from the cross section of the stem. The sap is mostly made up of chalcones, which are yellow pigments. Many of ashitaba's health-promoting benefits have been attributed to chalcones.
The two main types of chalcones in ashitaba root are exanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin. These two chalcones are also polyphenols. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants and help fight free radical damage.
Cancer Prevention In vivo and in vitro tests have shown exanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin to be promising anticancer agents. They inhibit tumor growth and spread and prolong lives of animal models with lung cancer. Isobavachalcone induces cancer cell death in human neuroblastoma (a cancer that arises in immature nerve cells and affects mostly infants and children) without killing normal cells.
4-hydroxyderricin prevents the decrease of cancer-fighting cells-lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer T cells - in the spleen of tumor-removed mice. It also exhibits potent cytotoxic activities against leukaemia, melanoma, and cancers of the lung and stomach.
Ashitaba chalcones inhibit the spread of liver cancer cells in mice. Isobavachalcone also inhibits skin tumor promotion in experimental studies.
Antioxidant Effects
Free radical damage is linked to aging, inflammation, and diseases like cancer. Chalcones in ashitaba, such as exanthokeismins A-C and exanthoangelol B, have potent antioxidant effects to fight free radical damage. Ashitaba seeds contain ashitabaol A, an antioxidative sesquiterpenoid that exhibits free radical scavenging activity.
Anti-allergy Effect
Xanthoangelol B, xanthoangelol C, and Xanthoangelol E in ashitaba inhibit histamine release, which can prevent an allergic reaction.
Blood Glucose
Ashitaba is a promising functional food for regulating blood glucose levels because it contains abundant amounts of 4-hydroexderricin and xanthoangelol.
Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study show that chonic intake of ashitaba powder containing 4-hydroxyderricin is safe, moderately reduces blood glucose, and improves blood glucose control in subjects with mild hyperglycemia.
Bone Health
Ashitaba helps promote bone formation and increase bone mass. As such, it is a promising ingredient for treating osteoporosis and preventing osteopenia, a condition considered a precursor to osteoporosis. An individual with osteopenia has a lower bone mineral density than normal.
Cardiovascular Health
Ashitaba may help to alleviate hyperlipidemia, or high blood cholesterol level. In experimental studies, the herb has been shown to lower total cholesterol as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ("Bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides, both of which contribute to hardening and narrowing of arteries. Laserpitin, a coumarin in ashitaba, raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) levels.
Both 4-hydroxyderricin and laserpitin have been shown to lower liver far content in experimental studies.
Gastrointestinal Health
Ashitaba restores balance to the digestive tract and generally acts as a digestive tonic. It improves digestion and speeds up waste elimination. It may help those with weak digestion or with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
As a natural diuretic, ashitaba helps remove toxins from the body.
Immunity
Before vaccination was introduced in Japan, ashitaba was used to cure and prevent smallpox. Modern research has confirmed ashitaba's powerful infection-fighting ability. Xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin show antibacterial activity against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria.
Nervous System
Chalcones have also been found to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is essential in the development and survival of certain nerve cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems. NGF is believed to have the potential to alleviate Alzheimer's disease and peripheral neuropathy. An experimental study conducted in Japan showed a 20% increase in NGF concentration after subjects took ashitaba for just four days.
Weight Management
Visceral fat, also known as abdominal fat, has been linked to metabolic disturbances and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer. Evidence from a human clinical study and from experimental studies indicates that ashitaba chalcones may help reduce visceral fat.
Xanthoangelol helps to enhance fat metabolism while 4-hydroxyderricin works to inhibit fat accumulation.
Wound Healing Agent
The sap of ashitaba stems and roots, used externally, prevents wound infection, promotes healing, and treats various skin conditions, such as athlete's foot. It also helps to repel insects and prevent infection in insect bites.
Modern science has confirmed ashitaba's astounding array of health benefits, further enhancing ashitaba's well-deserved reputation as a longevity herb. Add ashitaba to your diet today to maintain good overall health!
Some people catch colds frequently and recover slowly. Others do not fall sick when surrounded by ill people and they recover quickly form the flu. The difference is in their immune system.
Research has revealed that humans can live meaningfully for at least 120 years, and with appropriate care and wholesome nutrition, living for 150 years is possible. However, the average lifespan is currently only around 70 to 80 years. In 2010, 8 million people died of cancer, and 17 million died of heart disease; the 1918 Spanish flu killed 40 to 50 million; in 2003, SARS took over 1,000 lives. Such alarming statistics should alert us to address the root of the problem, and achieve longevity through prevention.
Nothing comes close to a healthy immune system in defending us from disease-causing agents. So how do we keep the immune system in tip-top condition?
A seemingly healthy outward appearance is no indication of how healthy we really are inside. Diseases have a way of sneaking up on us. Infections could be lurking deep within with the only hints being slight tiredness or a persistent sniffle. Before we know it, we could fall seriously ill but by then, it would be too late for prevention. Therefore, we need to stay vigilant by nourishing our immune system daily with generous servings of the right nutrients.
Ever since antibiotics were discovered, humans have been focusing more on treatment and less on prevention. We have forgotten to take advantage of the amazing preventive and healing powers of the immune system. Nutritional Immunology is a relatively new science that emphasizes prevention over cure. This science focuses on the explicit link between proper nutrition and the health of the immune system.
The Best Doctor – The Immune System
Advancement of medicine lags behind disease development. Treatment can only begin with the appearance of symptoms, and has its limitations. Fortunately, the best doctor, the immune system, is within the body. This doctor is like a sophisticated army, always on alert to protect the body against foreign invaders.
Things we encounter, the air we breathe and the food we eat may appear clean, but are full of pollutants. A small slip-up by the immune system may allow pollutants to trespass via the skin, eyes, nose and mouth, while a fully functioning immune system can easily destroy such invaders.
Influenza causes 200,000 to 500,000 deaths every year. Among those infected, some recovered and some died. The difference is due to the immune system.
A weak immune system makes the body vulnerable to attack by microbes and infectious diseases such as SARS, pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, flu and tuberculosis. It can even lead to cancer.
A hyperactive or malfunctioning immune system can result in allergies or autoimmune diseases. An allergic response occurs when the immune system reacts against non-threatening agents such as dust, plant pollen and animal dander.
An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells or tissues. Examples of autoimmune disease include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, diabetes mellitus and psoriasis.
Can medication replace immune system function?
Immune system function involves countless cells, chemicals and organs working closely together. Medications perform only specific functions such as stimulating or suppressing the immune system, and may lead to side effects, unsettling immune system balance and even leading to more diseases.
Immune system balance is the result of a healthy lifestyle:
A balanced diet: Eat mainly a variety of plant foods and reduce meat intake.
Positive and stable emotions: Stress stimulates the body to secrete corticosteroid, which suppresses immune system function, increasing risk of cancer, flu and other disease.
Adequate rest and exercise: Sleep enables the immune system to repair and regenerate. Exercise makes the body perspire, letting it purge toxins, and improves lymph circulation. If regular exercise is not possible, frequent deep breathing can help to encourage lymph circulation.
A healthy lifestyle enables us to live healthier, longer lives.
The True Health with Plant Foods
Nutrition for the immune system comes from plant foods, not animal-derived food.
Plant foods contain plant nutrients such as phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides that have been proven to prevent and defend against cancer and other diseases.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals can prevent the various stages of cancer formation.
Phytochemicals are unique to plant foods. They can effectively prevent diseases, nourish the immune system, accelerate recovery from diseases and can halt and reverse stages of cancer development.
Every plant has its own unique variety of photochemical, which are nutrients not found in meat. For example, cauliflower contains indoles, sulforaphane and flavonoids. They can lower risk of diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer, and can encourage molecules with cleansing abilities to interact with carcinogens for a detoxifying effect. Soy is another example. It contains isoflavones including genistein, daidzein and glycitein. Isoflavones can lower serum cholesterol levels, reduce risk of coronary heart disease, relieve menopausal symptoms, suppress cancer cell growth and lower risk of osteoporosis.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants can slow down aging.
Antioxidants are chemicals that can prevent cell damage by suppressing oxidative effects of free radicals, which are highly unstable molecules. Oxidation alters normal oxygen molecules to become free radicals. They can be produced via smoking, exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive sun exposure and metabolic processes such as digestion.
Free radicals are highly unstable and destructive. They can easily alter proteins, cell membranes, and DNA. Over time, such irreparable damage causes cancer and other degenerative diseases such as cataracts and heart disease.
Grape seed is high in antioxidants, particularly oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC). With 20 times more antioxidant activity than vitamin C and 50 times more antioxidant activity that vitamin E, it can protect cells from oxidative DNA damage, and boost health and skin’s youthfulness.
Rose is also rich in antioxidants. Besides 50 times the vitamin C in lemon, it contains niacin, flavonoid, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, E and K. It aids DNA damage prevention, wound healing, increase of macrophage activity, and improvement of skin tissue and appearance.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides can boost immunity, encourage natural killer cell growth and defend against tumors.
Polysaccharides are long chain of sugars. Research has shown that they can inhibit tumor growth by activating immune cells.
Polysaccharides help to balance the immune system and encourage the production of NK cells, interferons and interleukins, promoting the immune system’s destruction of cancer cells and viruses.
Research has shown that mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, and different mushrooms have different polysaccharides. ABM mushroom, Yun Zhi mushroom, Shitake mushroom, Maitake mushroom and Reishi mushroom are particularly effective in resisting tumors and viruses. They can speed up recovery from cancer and relieve side effects of chemotherapy.
Eating a variety of mushrooms is more beneficial than eating a single type of mushroom, and consuming a concentrated extract of polysaccharides is more beneficial than consuming dried mushroom powder. In addition, only a suitable amount and combination of polysaccharides will produce optimal results.
Wholesomeness is Best!
Wholesome plant foods are Nature’s miracles. Till today, their abundant nutrients have not been entirely discovered by scientists.
Advantages of Plant Foods Over Animal-derived Food
Plant foods contain phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides that can boost immune function. Plants also contain fiber that is lacking in meat, dairy products and other animal-derived food. Fiber is non-caloric and helps to regulate blood sugar, reduce blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of coronary heart disease, aid bowel movement, decrease risk of cancer in the digestive system and aid weight management. Plant foods also contain plant protein that is easily absorbed, does not easily trigger allergies and does not lead to calcium loss.
Compared to animal-derived food, plant foods do not contain animal hormones and are more eco-friendly. In 2009, Worldwatch Institute (WWI) reported that livestock produce 51% of greenhouse gases, with 1.5 billion livestock producing more waste gases than all transport vehicles in the world combined, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Methane, produced by livestock in large amounts, is 72 times as strong as carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas over a period of 20 years. In addition, rearing livestock uses large amounts of resources, taking up around 70% of farmland worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated that during 1961-2001, more than 60% of grain was fed to livestock. 2400 gallons of water is needed to produce one pound of meat, while one pound of wheat requires only 25 gallons of water. Hence, replacing animal-derived food with plant foods is not only healthy for the immune system, but also contributes towards saving the environment.
Hidden Dangers of Vitamin Pills
Many people think that they can make up for imbalanced diets due to busy lifestyles by taking vitamin pills. However, there are risks of vitamin pill overdose. Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital analyzed data from trials involving 233, 000 participants, and found that beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E intake doubles the risk of hip fracture. A large-scale eight-year study by the Swedish government revealed that beta-carotene pills might increase lung cancer risk in male smokers. Researchers at Keio University in Japan found that vitamin E overdose leads to increased osteoporosis risk. An American Heart Association report of a follow-up study on 132, 000 participants pointed out that excessive vitamin D intake can lead to a rapid heart rate or arrhythmia. Research from Johns Hopkins University has shown that vitamin A overdose increase liver and lung cancer risk, and may lead to fetal deformities and lower bone density.
Wholesome Plant Foods for Perfect Nutrition
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the best way to obtain vitamins is through consuming beneficial, wholesome foods. They also emphasize that vitamin pills cannot replace a well-balanced diet.
Wholesome plant foods contain perfect combinations of nutrients. They are Nature’s greatest gifts, and cannot be replaced with man-made vitamin pills.
Let's watch a short video about how our immune system function:
The Agaricus Blazei Murill (ABM) mushroom is originally from Brazil. It is also known as himematsutake, Mushroom of God, and Mushroom of the Sun. It is an important part of local's daily diets in Piedade, a small town in São Paulo, Brazil. Those who live in Piedade have uncommonly good health and experience a lower frequency of cancer and geriatric disease than the general population in the area.
Powerful Ally in the Fight against Cancer
The ABM mushroom is rich in the polysaccharides beta-1, 3 D-glucan and beta-1, 6 D-glucan. These polysaccharides can aid production of T cells, interferon, and interleukin to help prevent reproduction, spread, and relapse of cancer cells as well as virus-infected cells.
Research by the National Cancer Center laboratory and Tokyo College of Pharmacy showed the elimination of cancerous tumours in 90% of lab animals fed with ABM mushrooms. While polysaccharides found in most fungi can only affect certain solid tumours, those in ABM mushrooms are reportedly effective against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, sigmoid colon cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and most solid tumours.
Strengthens the Immune System
Research at King Drew Medical Center of UCLA found that the ABM mushroom increases the total number of immune cells throughout the body. Furthermore, research has shown that ABM mushroom not only increases the number of natural killer (NK) cells, but also makes each individual NK cell more powerful.
Antioxidant Effects
Exopolysaccharide AbEXP-la extracted from ABM mushroom displays anti-oxidant activity and can eliminate free radicals.
Antiviral Protection
ABM mushroom is also cited as a powerful antiviral agent, preventing viruses and harmful agents from entering delicate tissue.
Wholesome Source of Iron
One hundred grams of ABM mushroom contain 9.65 mg of iron - one of the highest percentages of iron found in plant foods - that is easily absorbed by the human body. The ABM mushroom provides the human body with a wholesome source of iron with no side effects.
Enhances Absorption of Calcium
ABM mushroom contains ergosterol, which converts into Vitamin D2. This vitamin promotes the absorption and use of calcium in the body. Ergosterol and Vitamin D2 combine to protect and strengthen bone health, and they even help prevent diseases like osteoporosis.
A Perfect Combination of Nutrients
The ABM mushroom is high in protein as well as vitamins B1, B2, and minerals needed by the body (such as calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and iron), thus providing multiple health benefits to the body.
Dr. Jau-Fei Chen obtained her PhD in microbiology from Brigham Young University, USA, specializing in immunology and biochemistry along the way. She focused on cancer research for more than 20 years.
In 1992, Dr. Chen received the Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations' Outstanding Overseas Youth Award. In 1993, she was awarded the annual Model of Overseas Chinese Youth Entrepreneurs Award.
In 1996, she was named Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Chinese Women's Association of America. Governor Pete Wilson declared march 8, 1996, to be Jau-Fei Chen Day in the state of California.
In 1997, Dr. Chen was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. She was the first person of Chinese descent to win the TOYA award in that field. She also received the China Dynasty Award in the same year.
Through the years, Dr. Chen's passion for educating about Nutritional Immunology has taken her around the world. She also published many books, including Enjoying Health & Longevity with Nutritional Immunology and Cancer & Nutritional Immunology.
Let's watch a short video about Introduction of Nutritional Immunology by Dr Jau-Fei Chen.
