Mushrooms also contain the powerful antioxidant L-ergothioneine.

Among the mushroom types selected for use in our health supplements, Shiitake, maitake, oyster and king oyster mushrooms contain the highest amount of L-ergothioneine. But criminis, portabellas and white button mushrooms are also excellent sources.

Unknown to most people, mushrooms contain more protein than most vegetables, and their meaty texture can make them a good substitute in dishes calling for meats.

Shiitakes have been cultivated in China and Japan for 2,000 years. The shiitake mushroom has a rich, buttery, meaty flavor. When shopping for fresh shiitakes, look for dark brown caps that curve under and are nearly round. The gills should be tightly formed and moist. The only washing usually necessary is a gentle wipe with a damp cloth or a paper towel. Remove the stems where they meet the cap. The stems are too fibrous to eat on their own, but they can make an excellent addition to stockpots.

Shiitakes are in fact quite good raw, if you don’t mind their chewiness.

Another healthful mushroom is the reishi (ganoderma lucidum). Although very bitter and too woody to eat, the reishi is one of the most-widely used herbal remedies in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used since the second century BC, though for a long time it was the exclusive prize of Chinese royalty.

Happily, in the 1970s it was successfully cultivated and has since become widely used. It has proven itself to be exceptional for battling allergies or bronchitis, and can help reduce problems related to hypertension.

Reishi also scavenges free radicals to retard aging and promote general healthiness on a systemic, cellular level. It is known to protect the liver and help instill calmness. And attention has been paid to reishi’s high concentration of polysaccharides—which are linked to cancer remission, hypoglycemic treatment and strengthening of the immune system.

Supplements such as our Wellness Renew Plus PH™ are specially formulated to assist the body in carrying out this necessary detoxification task.

Toxins create extra strain on the body as it struggles to rid itself of these unwanted byproducts. And the free radicals which make up part of these toxins are linked by research to various degenerative conditions as well as to premature ageing.

While the body’s ability to detoxify depends largely on the nutrients we take in and the environment around us, our ability to detoxify efficiently can be helped by super foods rich in antioxidants and other essential nutrients known to bring about a healthier detox experience. Diets high in natural fiber, for instance, can help eliminate toxins via natural bowel movements and increased water flow.

Many cultures have detoxify therapies and native diets that specifically help the body to detoxify itself. This may involve foods which have a strong eliminating effect such as those with excess fiber or natural diuretics—or even induced sweating through exercise or saunas.

Adding to your diet foods which help rid the body of free radicals and other toxins, while eliminating foods which actually contribute to excess toxins, is prudent. Refined foods, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, sugars such as corn syrup and others high in fructose, or enriched white flour—all contain or tend to create large amounts of free radicals during digestion.

You should increase your consumption of foods known to contain helpful amounts of antioxidants and other essential nutrients acting as catalysts to a healthier detox process. Blueberries, for instance, are loaded with phytonutrients—compounds which aid detoxification. Broccoli is not only a great source of folate, it also contains these same phytonutrients and is an excellent source of vitamin C.

Green tea extracts offer fine antioxidant protection for the human body. The polyphenols and high concentrations of catechins in green tea extracts are much more effective than black tea in neutralizing and preventing the damage free radicals can do. Wellness Renew Plus PH™ utilizes high concentrations of these green catechins, along with other proven antioxidants that help your body detox efficiently and maintain its healthy balance.

Adaptogens can offer noticeably improved functioning of the entire body including the brain and other key organs, the digestive system, the immune system and the reproductive system.

Properly grown, harvested, and formulated—adaptogens are believed by Eastern medical practitioners to promote significant improvement in overall health and to restore optimal endocrine system balance (homeostasis) for better physical and mental functioning and increased longevity.

Think of them as the broadest spectrum of traditional natural remedies.

And from this limited group of adaptogen herbs reishi, cordyceps, ginseng and rhodiola rosea attract particular attention as herbs which have extensive, recognized histories in Eastern medicine along with ready market availability.

Reishi (ganoderma lucidum) is derived from mushrooms and is a known immune modulator—an herb which naturally regulates and fine-tunes the immune system. It is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates such as water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active elements in Reishi associated with anti-tumor, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects. It is also used to treat anxiety, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia and asthma—and to increase oxygen utilization and improve liver function.

Cordyceps is a powerful grassy fungus offering notable immunological restorative properties. It can assist athletic performance and recovery, enhance the libido and improve fertility. By promoting vascular elasticity it also maximizes the body’s oxygen intake and can improve heart muscle strength. Cordyceps is also a noted detoxifier.

Ginseng’s name derives from the Greek “panax,” which gave us the word “panacea” or cure-all. This popular root builds vitality and mental focus, enhances strength and promotes relaxation. It primarily finds use as a preventative against sickness, weakness, and fatigue.

Rhodiola rosea is believed to significantly increase energy and muscular performance as well as mental stamina.

What is MTHFR?

Having a MTHFR gene mutation can result in hyperhomocytenemia, which is an elevated level of an enzyme called homocysteine. More simply, this means the body cannot efficiently absorb folate, also known as folic acid and B vitamins. According to Dr. Peyman Saadat, MD, medical director of the Reproductive Fertility Centers in the Los Angeles area, folic acid is a key ingredient in making DNA, which is critical in the growth of all humans, from conception. “It helps the baby to be able to grow and develop from a fetus into a full-term baby,” says Saadat.

Therefore, a pregnant woman missing this enzyme is at risk for high blood pressure – known as pre-eclampsia – and her child is at risk for chromosomal abnormalities such as neural tube defects (NTD’s). Commonly known NTD birth defects include such spina bifida and anencephaly. MTHFR deficiencies have also been linked to Downs Syndrome.

In addition, MTHFR can be associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. About 21 percent of women with high levels of homocysteine experience recurrent pregnancy loss, according to a study by John C Petrozza, MD, instructor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, and Inna Berin, MD, fellow, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Massachusetts General Hospital.

The good news is that the genetic defect can be detected with a simple blood test. So if you have experienced multiple miscarriages, you might want to check with your Ob/Gyn or fertility specialist.

“Folic acid and metabolizers are important in other aspects of life too,” says Saadat. “When severely defective, someone can get what they call hyper-homosistine that builds up in the system and that’s associated with cardiovascular disease such as stroke and heart attack.”

Bypassing MHTFR

While you can’t get rid of the genetic defect, you can bypass the complications through several avenues.

First off, women who are thinking of becoming pregnant should begin taking folic acid supplements. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends 400 mcg of folic acid for those thinking of conceiving, and then at least 600 mcg per day during pregnancy – though most prenatal vitamins have up to 1,000 mcg. Also, consider eating foods with higher doses of folic acid, such as eggs, beets, asparagus, mushrooms, dark leafy vegetables, – think spinach, kale, cabbage, endive and broccoli – oranges or orange juice, and legumes such as lentils, green beans, peas and dried beans. Also, read product labels because many pastas, breads and cereals are now enriched with folic acid. 

Missing the vital enzyme means there is a deficiency in three major vitamins that contribute to the DNA process: folic acid, B12 and B6. Some specialty pharmacies carry a medication known as Folgard, which contains all three of these vitamins. Or it is possible to substitute this one medication with three separate tablets of all three of these vitamins, which are all readily available at a local pharmacy. Dr. Saadat says there is no harm from taking any of these vitamins in the right dosage, minus the usual side effects that can come with any medication such as nausea and upset stomach.

What about L-5 MTHF?

Getting what your body needs for essential cell repair and division can also be obtained through a more natural avenue known as L-5 MTHF. L-5 MTHF is a metabolically active form of folate found in nature – it requires no additional metabolic steps to be utilized in the body.

“Supplementing your daily diet with L-5 MTHF helps support many metabolic processes, including hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis and repair, homocysteine metabolism, and nervous system functions,” says Bryan Abel, herbalist, acupuncturist, co-owner of Thumos Health Centers in the Los Angeles area, and founder of Longevity Herbs – an online retailer of herbal products.

Many of the essential products sold by E-commerce site Longevity Herbs contain L-methylfolate. For example, Bio-Available Folate Complete features L-5 MTHF, which contains 800 mcg  of per L-5 MTHF capsule. Abel recommends this product for those looking to conceive, pregnant, the elderly and the population in general. Some studies show that 10 percent of the U.S. population is deficient in necessary folate levels. In addition, individuals at risk for heart disease such as strokes may greatly benefit from taking L-5 MTHF.

Although men do not carry a child, this population should not be overlooked. There is increasing evidence that suggests that dietary factors can affect sperm health. Professor Brenda Eskenazi, an expert in maternal and child health and epidemiology at the University of California, Berkley, specifically examined how micronutrients affect sperm quality and found that men looking to father a child should consider taking folate to prevent chromosomal abnormalities that can lead to failure to conceive and complications such as Down’s Syndrome.

For more information on how to purchase L-5 MTHF and other herbal products, go to LongevityHerbs.com.