Thursday, May 7, 2009
With the swine flu scare on the front page of every newspaper, people are looking for ways to boost their immune systems. Many are turning to Tamiflu or other medications, but your favorite pizza topping could help prevent this disease.
If your favorite pizza topping is mushrooms, then you’re in luck.
Mushroom goodness: The vitamins and nutrients in mushrooms can help fight off disease.
Asian countries have used mushrooms for centuries to strengthen the immune system and promote a long life, says Deena Kosh, a naturopathic physician in Shawnee.
“They have been used for many, many years and improve your immune system by increasing your white blood cell count,” Kosh says. The white blood cells are disease-fighting cells, therefore making your immune system more resistant to bacterial or viral infections.
Mushrooms also contain a substantial amount of B vitamins as well as selenium and copper, zinc and potassium, says Lisa Markley, registered dietitian with the program of integrated medicine at KU Med. These are all important trace minerals that the body needs to fight off disease.
“For preparation I would cook the mushrooms. Unlike a lot of other vegetables, they still keep their nutrients after being cooked. I would advise against eating raw mushrooms,” Markley says.
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Comments
Nurture by nature: Mushrooms
It's unfortunate that the Kansan opted to use a naturopath, as opposed to a real medical professional, as the the source for this story. It leaves the reader unclear as to whether or not those claims are founded - infections also result in an increased white blood cell count, so it's an unimpressive corollary to point to. I recommend readers read up on naturopathic quackery at quackwatch.com
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturopathy.html
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