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Reishi extract regulates the CNS and improves metabolic function

metabolic superfood

A 2020 study created an obese mouse model with a high sugar and fat diet for 60 days, then a Ganoderma lucidum extract supplement for 35 days. It tracked changes in liver, adipose tissue, colon, intestines, spleen, kidneys, and brain histopathology, metabolism, transcription, and gut microbiota. Results revealed G. lucidum extracts could reduce weight, alter lipid serum levels, improve gut microbiota, and mitigate organ damage from the unhealthy diet, while enhancing leptin pathways in the hypothalamus for better metabolism. This suggests G. lucidum extracts benefit the microbiome-gut-liver and microbiome-gut-brain connections, activating leptin-related signaling for metabolic improvement.

Key effects achieved via leptin signaling

Due to shifts in lifestyle and dietary habits, metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (Non-AFLD) have surged in China. Reports indicate over 450 million Chinese suffer from metabolic conditions today. Although factors like smoking, drinking, exercise, meditation, and genetics contribute to metabolic disorders, they don’t fully explain China’s higher disease rates compared to developed nations. Thus, urgent strategies for prevention and treatment are needed. One study linked gut microbiota to obesity’s development, especially metabolites like short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides. These compounds trigger chronic inflammation, fostering obesity, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. Central obesity typifies metabolic syndrome, largely driven by diet and influencing gut microbiota composition. Dietary supplements play a vital role in maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis. Modulating gut-brain signals holds promise for combating obesity and type 2 diabetes. Ganoderma lucidum, a longstanding health-promoting ingredient in Southeast Asia, has prebiotic effects shown to regulate the gut-brain axis in obese mice fed high-sugar-and-fat diets.
 
The hypothalamus plays a vital role in regulating feeding and body weight. Research has focused on specific neurons in this region, like those expressing POMC and AgRP. These neurons control food intake, foster bonding in mice, and respond to leptin. G. lucidum extracts activate pathways related to metabolism and CNS regulation, showing promise in improving metabolic syndrome symptoms in high-sugar-and-fat diet-fed mice.

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a high fat, high sugar diet significantly alters microbiota and damages organs

Several studies have affirmed the bidirectional regulation between the CNS and gastrointestinal system, crucial for functions like intestinal motility, absorption, and immune balance. The gut microbiota, forming the brain-gut-microbiome axis, are vital in this system, influencing CNS functions and gastrointestinal stability. In diseases like IBDs, metabolic syndrome, neuropsychiatric traits, and cancer, gut microbiota changes are notable. In this study, certain gut microbiota groups were significantly altered by a high sugar and fat diet but improved after treatment, suggesting a potential prebiotic effect.

The disruption of the delicate balance in this intricate ecosystem, known as dysbiosis, is linked to various human illnesses. Any disturbance in the interaction between the host and microbiota can trigger or worsen disease development.

brown sugar icebox cookies

A prize winning simple cookie recipe with low sugar content of only 11 grams per two cookies.

Recipe link

how it works

An aging obese mouse model was created via a 60-day high-fat diet. Subsequently, mice received daily gavage doses of 100 mg/kg of alcohol extracts from different forms of G. lucidum for 35 days. The G. lucidum extract-treated groups exhibited reduced body weights, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and NF-κB expression. Microbiota analysis showed altered abundances of various groups, indicating G. lucidum extracts mitigated gut microbiota, small intestine, and liver alterations caused by the high sugar and fat diet.

A key finding regarding leptin. 

Leptin, a hormone produced in white adipose tissue, acts in the brain to communicate fuel status, suppress appetite following a meal, promote energy expenditure and maintain blood glucose stability (Zhang, Chen, Heiman, & Dimarchi, 2005). In these processes, AGRP neurons are required for the primary action of leptin to regulate both energy balance and glucose homeostasis (Xu et al., 2018). 

The study analyzed key neurons in the hypothalamus, linked to leptin.  Ganoderma lucidum treatment activated these proteins, particularly in the high-dose group. This indicates Ganoderma lucidum has CNS impact, triggering negative feedback to regulate appetite and metabolism.

Leptin

Leptin is a protein hormone predominantly made by adipocytes. Its primary role is likely to regulate long-term energy balance. As one of the major signals of energy status, leptin levels influence appetite, satiety, and motivated behaviors oriented towards the maintenance of energy reserves.

Leptin helps your body maintain your normal weight on a long-term basis.

 

conclusion

This study concludes that a high sugar and fat diet impacts multiple systems and organs. Additionally, G. lucidum fruit body extracts improve microbiome-gut-liver and microbiome-gut-brain axes, enhancing CNS regulation for metabolic improvement.

how to

You can buy Reishi extract if you desire or you can learn how to make your own Reishi mushroom alcohol extracts.

reishi supplements

As a whole food supplement, Reishi is safe to consume daily without side effects. Because its properties can be additive to some of the pharmaceutical medications you may already be taking, always check with your health care provider before making Reishi a daily ritual especially if you have a history of cancer.  

A teaspoonful of Reishi powder or three capsules provides the recommended dosage of 2,000mg.

Add powder to your daily natural oral immune therapy drink and stir. 

According to studies improved health benefits can generally be seen in 4 to 8 weeks of daily use.

Although food based supplements are safe for daily use take occasional breaks from any other supplement use.

If you like natural health tips like the ones above you can learn more in Immune For Life

protect metabolic health

Remember, no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar per day for women and 9 teaspoons (38 grams) for men. The AHA limits for children vary depending on their age and caloric needs, but range between 3-6 teaspoons (12 – 25 grams) per day. Children under two should have zero grams of sugar per day.