F.A.Q.

The Agaricus blazei mushroom (ABM), Himematsutake, "Cogumelo do Sol", has been recently identified to be an immune system enhancer with strong anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. This edible mushroom is native from a area of the mountains in Atlantic Forest of São Paulo state, in Brazil.

back

Epidemiologists studying the native population in this area found that they had a very low incidence of a variety of illness including cancers as well as viral and bacteria induced diseases, and a high number enjoyed longevity. This was correlated to the consumption of Agaricus blazei mushroom in the diet. Since 1980’s the ABM mushroom was demonstrated to be an immune system stimulant which promotes the body’s natural defense mechanisms to fight a variety of infectious agents and also cancers.

back

3. How does the ABM can help the immune system ?

Any living organisms have an immune system that destroys the external bacteria, toxic chemicals, and any neoplasm cells caused from mutation. The organism survives through fighting against these external harms. A healthy person has an immune system that is in order and is strong enough to fight against any harmful factors. However, the immune system has weakened due to excessive stress, diet disorders, and unhealthy life patterns, which eventually cause serious diseases and infections.

Agaricus Blazei Murrill mushroom contains rich polysacharides including β-D-glucan. The major characteristics of these polysacharides are that they restore the weakened immunity to the maximum and suppress the excess immunity to reach the optimal condition.

back

No, it does not cure cancer directly by removing the cancerous cells. Therefore, it can by increasing the immunity of the host to activate the immune system. Many substances in Agaricus blazei murill help restore the functions of the body in the fight of cancer diseases.

back

5. Why should the ABM be taken with vitamin C ?

The Beta-Glucans are extremely large organic molecules and some are not readily absorbed in the stomach and intestines, but pass through unchanged. But as the Beta-Glucans are long chain molecules, research has found that breaking the chain into shorter segments makes the substance more readily bio-available while maintaining the same clinical properties. One-way to do this is to co-administer vitamin C with the mushroom. The addition of 1000 mg (1 gram) of vitamin C at the same time the mushroom are taken, logarithmically increases the absorption of the Beta-Glucans, making them much more bio-available to the system.

back

In the plant and fungus kingdoms, sugars are produced within the cells. These sugars are used both as sources of energy and arranged into structural units which make up the cell walls. The particular arrangements of the sugars and their binding with other substances determine the biological activity of these compounds. Some of these compounds which have potent medicinal properties are found in mushrooms.
These are called the Alpha and Beta-Glucans. These Glucans are long chain polysaccharide molecules, consisting of thousands to millions of glucose molecules bonded together in particular fashions.
Alpha or Beta-Glucan is not any one particular compound or structural arrangement, but refers to the way in which the sugars sub-units are attached to one another. Both of these arrangements (alpha and beta) are found in all of the Medicinal Mushrooms. These compounds are in fact, what give the mushrooms their profound medicinal properties.

The mushroom Agaricus blazei is the only source found so far which contains significant amounts of 1-6 Beta-Glucan. This particular Beta-Glucan has shown extremely potent action in all tests against Human Cancer conducted to date. Specifically, this Beta-Glucan seems to significantly increase the number and activity of the body's Natural Killer cells (NK cells).

Besides the structural arrangements of the glucan molecules, there is another factor that helps determine biological activity, and that is whether or not there are any other molecules joined to the glucan molecule. It is quite common in nature to find proteins and peptides attached to the end of the glucan molecules. This "protein bonding" changes the way in which the human body uses this glucan in the immune system.

back

7. How does the stimulation of the immunological system happen for the Beta-Glucan?

The human body has a complex system of immune defense, which functions as a guardian of the body against foreign invaders and against our own aberrant cells (Cancer). This immune system consists of many different specific types of cells, such as the T cells, B cells and Natural Killer cells (NK cells). One of the functions of the Beta-Glucans is a stimulation of the production of immune cells. It is not uncommon to see a 3000% to 5000% increase in the number of active immune cells within 72 hours of beginning Beta-Glucan therapy. Another function of Beta-Glucan is that it attaches to receptor sites on the immune cells and activates them. When disease occurs in the body, it is always due to a deficiency in the body's immune response. By supplying a larger amount of Beta-Glucans in the body, a higher state of immune response is created. This is the primary pathway by which medicinal mushrooms help the body to fight off invasion by diseases and cancer cells. This is called IMMUNOMODULATION. Modulation of the immune system. Perhaps better referred to as stimulation of the body's immune system.

back
 

8. How the ABM mushroom helps in the control of the Diabetes?

Diabetes is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s inability to properly process sugar to use as fuel. There are two kinds of diabetes: Type 1, when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, and Type 2, when the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin, or the body cannot properly utilize the insulin that is produced. Type 1 diabetes is often referred to as insulin dependent diabetes, and Type 2 as non-insulin dependent diabetes. The Diabetes causes various complications or secundary diseases that are often very serious

1) Diabetic Kidney disease: possible glucosuria disorder
2) Diabetic Retinitis: amblyopic
3) Diabetic neurosis: result in disorder of peripheral nerve system
4) Cataract, scurvy, tubular artery disorder, counter infection.

Agaricus blazei has dual balancing process: Agaricus Blazei is known to have dual immunity balancing process that normalize the excessive lymph or macrophage. Agaricus also contains substances such as polysaccharide protein complex body and RNA duplicator that are known to control the sugar level in the blood system. Also, it accelerates the restoration activity of pancreas; amino acid and zinc supply which result in active insulin manufacturing process.

back

9. How the ABM mushroom helps in the control of the Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, particularly the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. The immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect the body against bacteria, viruses, and other threatening invaders. These invaders are called antigens and the body responds to them by making antibodies that "attack" them. In an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between antigens and its own cells and tissues. As a result, it produces antibodies known as auto-antibodies, which produce immune complexes. These immune complexes build up in the tissues, causing inflammation, injury to tissues, and pain.

back

10. How the ABM mushroom helps in the control of the Hypertension and Arteriosclerosis?

Balance cholesterol level: Neglecting chronic diseases such as hypertension and multiple sclerosis will weaken the function of the organs and eventually result in a stroke and other heart diseases. These are called "malign cholesterol." Agaricus blazei murill has superior function calls cholesterol controlling function, which removes the malign cholesterol.

LDL Receptor activation: Human body contains LDL receptor cells that control the malign cholesterol (LDL) in the blood system. LDL is combined with LDL receptor and then enters into the cells to decompose the toxic substances. If the number of LDL in the blood is increased more than the number of its receptors, then the function is weakened and the malign cholesterol cannot be decomposed any longer, and this can possibly cause in serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Agaricus blazei murill has superior substances that activate the LDL receptor cells to accelerate the decomposition of malign cholesterol.

Neutralization of malign cholesterol: Cholesterol is generated in the liver. To generate somatic body, cholesterol is progressed into the small intestine and then is absorbed into the rest of the body. The remaining cholesterol is moved to the rear part of the small intestine and later combined with fat acid in the ileum and finally returns to liver. In this cholesterol circulation process, only 60% of the cholesterol is returned to the liver.
The Agaricus Blazei Murill contains the substances calls "sterol " which combined with the fat acid quickly and then accelerates the excretion through the large intestine. Otherwise the combined cholesterol is returned to the liver.
The uncombined cholesterol is excreted in the same way. Therefore, the 60% of the cholesterol that were supposed to return to liver are excreted out.

back

11. How the  ABM mushroom helps in the control of the Hepatitis and liver sclerosis?

Hepatitis is resulted from the destruction of liver cells causing inflammation in the liver. Virus, alcohol, and drug are known to be the major cause for the disease. 80% of the patients have viral hepatitis and only 20% have this disease due to excessive drinking of alcohol.
For the viral hepatitis, the virus does not destroy the cells in the liver, but the immunization activity to remove the virus destroys the liver cells.

Agaricus increases the restoration activity of the liver: Rich protein and vitamin are essential for restoring weakened liver cells. Agaricus Blazei Murill contains rich nutrients and high-quality protein such as amino acids (essential amino acids) to strengthen the liver activity. Also, anti-virus interferon in the Agaricus contains related substances to increase the restoration of the liver.
Agaricus blazei as interferon inducer:  The β-D-glucan protein complex body that the Agaricus Blazei contains has excellent anti-virus effects by activating heteroglucan and interferon to induce cytokine.
The mechanism produces the translational inhibitory protein (TIP), which suppresses the virus mRNA from duplicating by activating interferon. This TIP is combined with liposome of the cells without being affected by mRNA duplication process.
Interferon does not have any harmful substances to the living organisms but only suppresses the virus multiplication activities.
Also, Agaricus blazei murill contains the mechanism that attacks the virus defined by the immunity restoration activity, according to the lymph activities.
In addition, the activates the blood circulation in the liver to increase the liver protecting functions and serves as a efficient treatment.

back

12. How the  ABM mushroom helps in the control of the Allergies ?

Immunity Dual Balancing Process:  Nowadays, almost one third of the total population of world are allergic to something. Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common and serious skin diseases without any excellent cure for it. Together with asthma, the early stage treatment is very important for atopic dermatitis.
 In the modern medicine, allergy is defined as a learning reaction for strengthening the immunity against the exterior environment. "Immunity and allergy are essentially the same " that is, "a blade with two edges," since the immunity protects from virus and on other occasions, immunity damages the host body by allergic reactions.
 Thus, the preferred treatment is to control the excessive degree of reaction of the immunity and to suppress the allergic reactions such as coughs, sneezes, runny nose, and skin irritations.
 Modern medicine causes side effects to some degrees.
There is a possibility to increase the undesirable immunity reactions for suppressing treatment in general. The starting point for allergy treatment is the collateral characteristics of allergy, which are uniqueness and its recalling ability.
 This means that the learning pattern of the immunity reaction is not common, thus getting rid of certain habits such as recalling activity is possible.
Allergies: Allergy is simply an "abnormal immunizing reaction." Immunizing activities normally define host and non-host body. However, when the abnormal immunizing reaction is present, the normal system is no longer in process. The main reason for the destruction of the system is the weakening of the T-cells, which have suppressing functions, thus resulting in the lower suppressing performance. Non-suppressed immunity cannot be distinguished whether it is the host or the non-host body and it begins to attack the host body, in other words, allergic reaction.
Agaricus Blazei Murill activates the suppressor, T-cells, restoring the suppressing functions and controlling the excessive immunity activities and bring the body condition to normal.

back

13. Do I need to see an doctor if I take Agaricus blazei Mushroom?

For prevent diseases: If you want to take, to prevent diseases, that is not necessary. The ABM has long been take as a tonic to increase energy, extend longevity and promote overall health and vitality. Studies indicate that ABM can boost the immune system. ABM is a rich source of various vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, fibers and nucleic acids derivatives. The compounds found in this mushroom have been classified as Host Defense Potentiators (HDP). These enhance the abilities of the immune system to protect itself. These disease-inhibiting compounds include hemicellulose, polysaccharides, polysaccharide-peptides, nucleosides, complex starches, and others metabolites. Studies have been performed using mushroom as ABM with similar properties to antiaging effects. Has the capability to increase cell turnover and collagen synthesis, improve skin hydration and firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

For sick people: If you have some disease, as cancer, AIDS, etc, it is extremely necessary. The ABM is only meant as a nutritional adjunct (or, complementary therapy) for people receiving conventional treatment or for people who have no further conventional treatment options. It is not meant to be an alternative to conventional cancer treatments. Conventional oncology has a great deal to offer and improvements in conventional treatments are happening at a fast pace. The fact is that when it comes to curing cancer, conventional mainstream oncology has a better track record than anything else. Every cancer patient should work closely with an oncologist from the first diagnosis throughout treatment.
However, since conventional oncology cannot guarantee a 90% or 100% cure rate for most cancers, many patients find it wise to explore nutritional and other therapies, including lifestyle changes, to attempt to improve the outcome of their conventional treatments. This should be done openly with your oncologist’s knowledge and most oncologists will welcome your openness and efforts.

back