The immune system is our body's armour against invaders such as viruses, bacteria, toxins and other pollutants.

However, according to many experts, hundreds more germs, bacteria, chemicals and pollutants are being discovered by scientists every day now - invaders that we come into contact with during our daily lives that contribute to a growing number of ailments and health conditions.

Continual exposure to these invaders can cause the body's defences to become vulnerable to attack. Anything we can do to minimize our exposure to these invaders will help our body to battle this growing burden. In our modern lifestyles this is easier said than done, so beyond that it's important to take any action you can to assist the body's immune system using natural supplements.

One particularly valuable source of help from nature is some of the mushroom species that are known to modulate the immune system. Use of mushrooms for medicinal purposes has a very long history in the Far East. There are also many scientific studies reporting on the benefits of certain mushroom species for specific health conditions. Different mushroom species have different properties, and not all mushrooms can be said to be medicinal, though many are nutritious in one way or another.

Mushrooms with particular value in supporting our immune systems are known as immune-modulators. Their effects, which differ with each species, include anti-infective, anti-allergy, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. In other words they help the immune system protect us in these ways:

• anti-infective properties: help to fight off micro-organisims such as viruses, bacteria, prions and parasites, and thus to prevent the effects of infections from these invaders if they get into our body
• anti-allergy properties: help to reduce the negative effects of an allergic response by the body's immune system when it reacts to a natural or toxic substance so strongly as to cause inflammation or other severe conditions
• anti-inflammatory properties: help to reduce inflammation, which is itself an immune response that can occur as the body attempts to deal with harmful stimulus, but which can lead to pain, swelling and loss of function when it becomes chronic (long-term)
• anti-carcinogenic: helps to prevent the growth of cancer cells, and to fight them when they are already present in the body
• anti-mutagenic: helps to prevent the mutation of cells - changes in the DNA of cells which can lead to tumors and other severe illnesses including cancer

An ideal way to get the various beneficial effects listed above is to find a blend of extracts from the most potent mushrooms that together display these properties. Not only do you benefit from the medicinal characteristics of each mushroom species included in the blend, but you gain additional potency from the synergistic qualities that are produced when all are consumed together.

Each mushroom species has its own unique combination of anti-infective and immuno-modulating agents, including:  • Polysaccharides  • Ergosterols   • Glycoproteins  • Triterpenoids.

You might have heard of the term "Beta Glucans." The agents listed above are precursors to these more complex compounds, Beta Glucans. It is the synergism between ALL of these elements that makes these mushroom extracts so medicinally powerful when consumed as a whole food — with mycelium included. The beta glucans trigger an immune response in the body creating a system of defences against viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic or neoplastic invaders.  They also have potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging capabilities.
 
Because these mushrooms have such powerful immune-boosting effects, it isn't surprising that some are known to have great potential for battling life-threatening conditions. Mushrooms with anti-tumor activity appear to increase the number and activity of killer T and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes, with no toxicity to healthy cells. Cancer cells are notorious for "hiding" from chemo agents. New research has shown that certain mushroom extracts help chemotherapy drugs better locate and identify cancer cells by "uncloaking them," thereby making chemotherapy more effective.

Natural NK Killer cells are cells that contain granules filled with potent chemicals. They are called 'killers' because they do not need to recognise a specific antigen before swinging into action. They target tumor cells and protect against a wide variety of infectious microbes.

In 2011 Waiora launched a new product - MegaDefense™ - which contained their AgariGold mushroom extract.

Then in 2012 Waiora introduced an improved version of MegaDefense with a blend of 6 of the most potent immuno-modulating mushroom species. Their IM6 Full-Spectrum Immune Complex blend includes the following mushrooms, all grown in special conditions and Certified Organic:

• Agaricus Blazei Murrill
• Ganoderma Lucidum [ Reishi ]
• Lentinula Edodes [ Shiitake ]
• Grifola Frondosa [ Maitake ]
• Coriolus Versicolor [ 'Turkey Tail' ]
• Cordyceps Sinensis [ 'Caterpillar Fungus' ]

Read more about MegaDefense here.

This report on MegaDefense was written by Dr Gabriel Cousens

If you have specific questions, or wish to find out more about this excellent product, please send us an email.

(Research Sources: J Cancer Research, J Nutrition, et al.)