Dr. Gabriel Cousens MD has been using the MegaDefense product now for several years. His familiarity with Chinese Mushrooms and Herbs has allowed him to understand the unique value MegaDefense. Here is his report - written in November 2017.
I’ve been working with American, Ayurvedic, and Chinese herbs for more than 40 years. I’ve tested and tried many combinations and products from many different companies. My clinical experience for myself and my clients is that, overall, Mega Defense is simply the best immune modulator and enhancer that’s available today in the world.
The question is why is it so impressive? Perhaps it’s simply an extraordinarily rare alchemical synergy that’s come together, beyond the technical prowess of those who created it. From a scientific point of view, it is an extraordinary synergy of six healing and immune modulating mushrooms. These mushrooms are Agaricus blazei, Lentinula edodes, Grifola frondosa, Coriollus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, and Cordyceps sinensis. Each of these mushroom species offers a slightly different polysaccharide infrastructure, which allows the Mega Defense to activate many more different types of immune receptors than simply beta-glucans, which activate natural killer cells (NK). Research shows, most excitedly, that Mega Defense activates all 260 classes of immune cells and, therefore, gives a dynamic, extraordinary, full spectrum immune complex effect. This full spectrum includes both a combination of both water soluble, heteropolysaccharides, and high molecular weight, non-soluble, triple helix beta-glucans. Additionally, they are alchemically micronized through a propriety process that yields a maximum particle size of less than 40 microns, which is an optimal biological size, making it instantly bioavailable.
In historical context, all the mushroom derived polysaccharide immune modulators have been derived from a single species of fungi, theoretically allowing for stimulation of only a single immune triggering receptor, as opposed to 260. These 260 include a wide range of different cellular receptors, each of which attach to different structural types and sizes of polysaccharide molecules. The advantage of this, which Mega Defense has, is that it stimulates multiple receptors and multiple structural binding that creates a situation of multiple mechanisms of action that allows the trigger of a broad spectrum of immune responses. The idea of multi-receptor activation is the key theory behind the development of Mega Defense and its ability to activate the full range of immune responses in the human body.
Additionally, each of the six mushroom species has its own unique blend of anti-infective and immuno-modulating agents, which include polysaccharides, glycoproteins, ergosterols, and triterpenoids. Mega Defense also includes all of the biologically active components of the medicinal mushrooms including mycelium, the fruit bodies, the spores, and the extra-cellular compounds produced throughout the entire cycle of the organism. Also, its beta-glucan count is the highest ever seen in this type of product. Beta-glucans are unique compounds found in the cell walls of yeast, which triggers a powerful immune response against viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, neo-plastic invaders. Beta-glucans also have powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacities. In summary, the mechanism of action in Mega Defense involves an amazing synergy of over 200 highly purified immunologically active bioavailable heteropolysaccharides and 1,3-1,6 beta-glucan compounds. This synergy activates all 260 classes of immune cells, including NK cells, T cells, macrophages, and many others.
My clinical assessment is that MegaDefense has an extraordinary ability to immune modulate everyone’s immune system to give powerful protection for everyday immune stresses that people face from all the different vectors that we are exposed to in the modern world. For this preventative health reason, I recommend it to all my clients on a daily basis as a super immune shield, and whenever they are going into higher stress situations, such as air travel, or stressful emotional, social situations, and for other immune system stressors, such as periods of less sleep. What the FDA allows to be discussed about Mega Defense is that it supports NK cell activity, plays a role in immune system modulation, helps protect cells, promotes overall health and well-being, nourishes the digestive system, supports a healthy cardiovascular system, supports normal blood sugar levels, and protects against free radical damage.
In this way I see MegaDefense as an extremely practical preventative and protective shield for daily living.