Most people are fascinated with mushrooms. But what they don’t know is that these fungi contain compounds that support many bodily functions. This is why mushrooms have been gaining traction recently as a potential means of supporting overall health and well-being.

A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that gargal mushrooms can be used as a natural treatment for heart disease. The research team from Mie University in Japan observed that these mushrooms could improve the symptoms of atherosclerosis — a condition that often predates cardiovascular disease — in laboratory rats. This finding is one of the first to directly associate gargal mushrooms with improved cardiovascular health.

In the study, the team investigated the ability of the mushrooms to reduce plaque buildup in the arteries using an animal model. To mimic the symptoms of atherosclerosis, researchers injected mice with angiotensin and observed its effects, especially after they were treated with an extract from the gargal mushrooms.

After the experiment, mice that were treated with the gargal extract had lower biomarkers for atherosclerosis than those in the control group. In particular, the mice had reduced levels of plaque buildup in their main blood vessels. They also found an increased number of T cells in the bloodstream, which indicated that the extract helped in boosting the immune system of mice in the treatment group. Further analysis also revealed increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that stimulates the production of blood vessels.

Overall, the researchers noted that gargal mushrooms can be used to boost immunity and improve symptoms of atherosclerosis.

Keep atherosclerosis (and heart disease) at bay with these natural cures

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. — over 800,000 adults die from it every year. However, most people don’t realize that a lot of these deaths are preventable with proper diet and an active lifestyle. In particular, most cases of cardiovascular disease start from atherosclerosis, a condition wherein plaque clogs up the arteries and restricts blood flow. Here are some herbs and supplements that can help in managing (and even preventing) the symptoms of atherosclerosis.

• Artichokes – Multiple studies have concluded that artichokes help raise the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol levels, while significantly reducing that of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
• Garlic – The health benefits of garlic are well-known. Studies have found that allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, prevents heart disease and slows the progress of atherosclerosis.
• Vitamin B3 – The B-vitamin, also known as niacin, is found in fish like tuna and salmon, but it can also be taken as a supplement. Studies have shown that niacin can increase HDL cholesterol levels by a third while lowering triglycerides, a lipid that increases the risk of heart disease.
• Policosanol – This compound is derived from sugar cane and yams, and studies have shown that it possesses the ability to reduce total cholesterol levels.
• Hawthorn – It’s a shrub found in every corner of the world, and for good reason. It contains the phytochemical quercetin, which has cholesterol-reducing properties.

To note, taking supplements is only the first step in preventing atherosclerosis. Avoiding risk factors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity is proven to significantly reduce a person’s likelihood of developing not only cardiovascular disease, but also other chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

This research on gargal mushrooms puts humanity one step closer to finding natural treatments for the various diseases that plague society today. However, people taking prescription drugs for a pre-existing condition or those with a previous history of chronic diseases should first seek the advice of their healthcare provider before taking gargal or other herbal supplements.

Sources:

ScienceABC.com

NaturalMedicine.news

CDC.gov

Healthline.com