If you or someone you know is fighting HIV infection or AIDS, there may be hope in the form of medicinal mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to boost the immune system, making it easier for your body to fight disease.
What are Medicinal Mushrooms?
Medicinal mushrooms are functional foods, meaning they serve a purpose beyond simple nutrition. These edible fungi are often overlooked and even shunned due to fear. Fear of mushrooms, called mycophobia, is a very common fear.
Old wive’s tales about poisonous “toad stools” and the mistaken belief that mushrooms contribute to yeast infections and other medical problems have millions of people avoiding these incredible sources of healing nutrition.
Medicinal mushrooms are densely packed with nutrients such as B-vitamins, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, and essential minerals selenium and copper. Medicinal mushrooms exposed to sunlight quickly absorb vitamin D, which gives you the immune-boosting nutrients you need.
AIDS and the Side Effects of Antiretroviral Drugs
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a primarily sexually-transmitted infection although it can also be transmitted through blood transfusion and shared needles. The first step to AIDS infection is HIV. In the early stages of HIV, the virus attacks your killer T-cells, leaving you open and vulnerable to developing secondary infection. When so many of these killer T-cells have been destroyed, you enter into the final stage of HIV: Full-blown AIDS.
The most common conventional treatment for AIDS infection is antiretroviral therapy. These life-saving treatments have dramatically improved the quality of life for HIV and AIDS patients. Unfortunately, they come with many side effects. These side effects include increased cardiovascular risk, anemia, neuropathy, insulin resistance, diabetes, dry mouth, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
Medicinal Mushrooms May Prevent AIDS Progression
For those who are sensitive to the more aggressive forms of antiretroviral therapy, medicinal mushrooms may offer a welcome natural solution. According to scientific studies, AIDS patients who used a combination of medicinal mushrooms experienced a marked increased in both T-cells and CD4+ cells. In some cases, cell counts were boosted by as much as 4,000%! Some of these incredible boosts occurred in patients who took only the mushrooms and no ARV therapy.
This is promising news for anyone living with an autoimmune disease that was once considered an automatic death sentence. Regular use of medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, and reishi can boost your immune system sufficiently to stop the progression of the AIDS virus. Medicinal mushrooms are also known as adaptogens, meaning they improve your body’s ability to handle disease and stress.
Medicinal mushrooms have shown real, verifiable proof that they provide a powerful immune system and nutritional boost. Their health benefits ensure not only a more balanced immune system but a more stable mind and body as well. This is a must-have for anyone battling a disease as complex as AIDS.