Mushrooms Recipes for Cancer Treatment: Cancer Research and Mushrooms

As per the US National Cancer Research Institute, there are approximately 11 million people living with cancer in the United States, as in 2008. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women while the most common cancer in males includes prostate cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death across the globe and in the United States. Correct dietary practices and healthy diet plays a crucial role in preventing cancer and enhancing overall immunity. Research studies have pointed toward the fact that mushrooms play a crucial role in improving cancer outcome in cancer patients. This article is about cancer and the role of mushrooms in cancer management.

Mushrooms are beneficial
to prevent cancer

Cancer Research and Mushrooms: Mushrooms for Healthy Diet

Research and laboratory investigations suggest that button mushrooms are wonder foods that enhance the body’s immune mechanism significantly. In a clinical trial, pounded white button mushrooms were administered to mice, and results showed a boost in the manufacture of natural killer cells in them. These killer cells have the potential to shield the body against cancers and virus infected cells.

Including Mushrooms in the diet can help booth immunity while also act as protective foods against management of chronic ailments like advanced stages of cancer.

What are Button Mushrooms?: Nutritional Highlights of Mushrooms

Button mushrooms actually resemble miniature umbrellas. These belong to the Agaricus Bisporus family. There are 3 varieties of button mushrooms – the white button mushroom, brown button mushroom, and brown-open button mushroom.

According to the ancient Egyptians, the mushrooms own the secret to immortality. Consequently, decrees were enforced, and only the Pharaohs were permitted access to them and allowed to eat them. Certain nutritional facts of Mushrooms are,

·         Button mushrooms are excellent sources of the vitamin B group.

·         Mushrooms also provide liberal amounts of copper, selenium and zinc.

·         Phyto-chemicals (powerful anti-oxidants) are also found in great abundance in button mushrooms.

Mushrooms protect against
breast cancer

Mushrooms for Cancer Treatment: Preventing and Treating Cancer with Mushrooms

Mushrooms possess highly potent immune-enhancing, infection-fighting and anti-cancer elements. They augment the levels of the NK cells (or the natural killer cells), that have a very vital part to play in battling cancer. Mushrooms improve the phagocytic activity of the macrophages, i.e. the phagocytes and the macrophages swallow up and obliterate cancer cells, infectious agents, and foreign bodies. Including mushrooms in regular diet can enhance immunity and protect individuals from developing cancer.

Mushrooms Recipes: Tips to Select Good Quality Mushrooms

Here are some quick service recipe ideas for mushrooms, which can help incorporating them in your regular diet,

1. Mushrooms make wonderful and scrumptious additions to pizzas. For the pizza sauce, add pureed tomato, diced and sautéed onions, garlic and chopped mushrooms.
2. Lightly brush mushrooms and vegetables with olive oil, and skewer them on to kebab skewers. Sprinkle a few herbs of your choice. Grill.
3. Stuffed mushrooms are a delectable snack option. Get rid of the stems and fill them with a cheese and vegetable filling. Grill or lightly sauté.

While selecting mushrooms ensure that one always selects fresh mushrooms. The mushrooms must be firm, fleshy, plump and clean. Steer clear of mushrooms that are greasy or wrinkled. Darkening of the flesh is an indication of aging. Opt for mushrooms that are white / light colored. Always stock mushrooms in a paper bag. Organically grown mushrooms are always a better choice.

Precautions of Mushroom Consumption:

1. Some kinds of mushrooms bring on diarrhea and gaseous distension of the abdomen, if eaten in huge amounts.
2. Allergic reactions, chiefly, skin rashes have also been testified occasionally.
3. Mushrooms supply loads of purines. Thus, individuals with high levels of serum uric acid or those suffering from gout should avoid the consumption of mushrooms.