Reishi Mushroom Heart Health Benefits
Article at a Glance:
- Reishi is a potent functional mushroom with multiple heart health benefits.
- Reishi’s ability to support healthy blood sugar reduces a significant heart health risk factor.
- The antioxidant properties in Reishi Gummies can be a part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Nicknamed the "mushroom of immortality," Reishi is one of traditional medicine's most healing functional mushrooms. Reishi has over 400 bioactive compounds known to influence blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and blood clotting, all of which play a role in heart health.
Let's explore how a daily Reishi supplement can be a part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Understanding Heart Health
Knowing that heart disease is the number one cause of death for all adults makes improving our heart health essential for life. Promoting good heart health requires a combination of things like balanced eating, managing stress, exercising, and getting good sleep.
Heart disease is a complex chronic disease that combines hereditary, dietary, and lifestyle factors. Though there isn't one leading "cause" of heart disease, we do know that several risk factors are closely associated with heart disease.[1]
Heart Health Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Physical Inactivity
- Overweight and Obesity
What is Reishi?
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a potent functional mushroom used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Reishi mushrooms have a woody flavor and texture, which makes them more favorable for enjoying steeped in tea or as an extract rather than eating.
The bioactive compounds in Reishi are linked to potential benefits for normal cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and platelet aggregation, all of which support heart health.[2]
Reishi Heart Health Benefits
We are still early in understanding how to use Reishi for heart health. The most convincing evidence from test tubes and animal models shows Reishi's positive influence over normal blood sugars, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.[3]
Manage Blood Sugar
Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate abundant in Reishi mushrooms. They are particularly beneficial for helping maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels and the nerves around your heart. Reishi has been shown in animal and early human models to benefit regular blood sugar.[4]
Fight Cardiac Effects of Stress
The physical effects of stress are a significant contributor to heart disease. Additionally, being sedentary or having an undernourished diet can also contribute to these negative side effects.
When our stress exceeds what the body can handle, a cellular byproduct called free radicals is formed in the cells. These free radicals wreak havoc on the body and contribute to many illnesses, including heart disease.
The antioxidants in Reishi help to lower free radicals. In turn, this positively affects oxidative stress and heart health.
Healthy Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
As a medicinal mushroom, Reishi has the potential use to help support normal blood pressure and cholesterol. Some evidence links Reishi to healthy LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.[5]
Animal models have linked Reishi with normal blood pressure, which may have the potential to benefit humans as well.[6]
How to Take Reishi for Heart Health
Our Reishi gummies are made from extracts of the most nutrient-dense part of the mushroom, the fruiting body. Using extracts, we can ensure a consistent amount of the highest quality Reishi.
Each gummy is vegan, gluten-free, and free from artificial dyes. Adding a Reishi gummy can be a heart-healthy addition to your daily routine.
If you are taking a blood thinner or a medication to lower blood pressure or blood sugar, talk to your medical provider before starting a Reishi supplement.[2] Reishi can naturally do these things in the body, and we want you to enjoy Reishi gummies safely.
If you are looking for a complementary way to influence heart health positively, adding a daily Reishi supplement may help.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Heart Disease. Reviewed July 12, 2022. [Accessed February 16, 2023]. (Link)
- National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus. Reishi Mushroom. Reviewed August 16, 2022. [Accessed February 16, 2023] (Link)
- Wa Chan S, Tomlinson B, Chan P, Wai Kei Lam C. The beneficial effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. Pharmaceutical Biology,2021;59(1):1159-1169. doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1969413.
- Mojani Qomi M S, Hatami M. Effects of Powder, Extracts, and Components of Ganoderma Lucidum in Treatment of Diabetes. J Guil Uni Med Sci. 2021;29(4):86-101. doi:10.32598/JGUMS.29.4.1509.1.