Food and Nutrition
Mushrooms' - Breast-Cancer Fighting Properties
By
Nov 18, 2008 - 3:52:49 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - The Mushroom Council is dedicated to funding research with the goal of improving the treatment for and curing breast and prostate cancer. The Council is contributing to the $560,000 committed for a 3-year human clinical study on breast cancer as well as prostate cancer research.

Researchers at the City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, are investigating the effects of mushroom extract in post-menopausal women, after preliminary research showed that mushroom extract slows breast cancer growth in mice.

In addition to breast cancer research, the Mushroom Council is constantly funding research studies to better understand the health benefits of consuming mushrooms. In fact, you can learn more about 11 different cancer-prevention studies on our nutrition resource page here: http://www.mushroominfo.com/nutrition/research.html

Better Health with Mushrooms' Antioxidants

Mushrooms are a natural source of many vitamins and antioxidants recommended for a healthy, disease-preventing diet.

Mushrooms are the leading source of the antioxidant selenium in the fruit and vegetable category:

Selenium protects body cells from damage that might lead to some serious chronic diseases.Selenium is being studied for its positive effects on prostate, breast and colon cancers.
Mushrooms also contain the antioxidant ergothioneine, which is being studied for its role in the early prevention of heart disease.

The antioxidant capacity of white mushrooms is comparable to the antioxidant capacity of colorful vegetables such as tomatoes, green peppers, pumpkin, zucchini and carrots; the antioxidant capacity of brown (crimini) and Portabella mushrooms is comparable to the antioxidant capacity of green beans, red peppers and broccoli.

Mushrooms may be nature's hidden treasure for vitamin D:

Preliminary studies associate optimal levels of vitamin D with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease.

An emerging body of science suggests that higher intakes of vitamin D may be associated with lower risks for some cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, colon and colorectal cancers.
Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable that naturally contains vitamin D, a nutrient which many people lack.

Using Mushrooms Every Day, Every Way

Tossing in a handful of mushrooms in a salad, sandwich, or other meal is an easy and delicious way to eat healthy. Visit www.mushroominfo.com for mushroom information, research and recipes.

The Mushroom Council
2880 Zanker Rd., Suite 203
San Jose, CA 95134

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