Reishi and Chaga for Chronic Inflammatory Processes

Chronic silent inflammation is considered an underestimated risk factor for modern civilization diseases. In this article, you will learn what lies behind it, how the risk can be reduced in everyday life, and natural treatment options with vital mushrooms.

What are silent inflammations?

There is no uniform medical definition for so-called silent inflammations (also "low-grade inflammation"), as they do not represent an independent disease. Unlike acute inflammation – which arises as a normal defense reaction of the body to an infection or injury and subsides again after it has healed – silent inflammation progresses subtly and over a long period. It can persist for weeks, months, or even years, leading to a permanent, low-grade activation of the immune system.

They are triggered, among other things, by infections, autoimmune diseases, or environmental factors. Symptoms such as pain or redness are absent. Affected individuals usually only report non-specific symptoms such as susceptibility to infection, fatigue, or lack of energy. The insidious thing about this type of inflammation is that it often goes unnoticed or is detected too late, when secondary diseases have already developed.

Even though the research field is still young, scientists agree that there is a close connection between chronic silent inflammations and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Common co-morbidities include, for example, diabetes mellitus, obesity, or bronchial asthma. These are both risk factors and amplifiers for chronic persistent inflammation. However, there are also far less manifest causes. Alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise or sleep, and stress contribute to the risk. An estimated 10-20% of the population is affected – often without knowing it.
There are also certain genetic variants (SNPs) and epigenetic changes that can make an organism more susceptible to inflammation.

Lifestyle recommendations for silent inflammations

First, it is important to treat existing underlying diseases, as these can intensify inflammatory processes. An anti-inflammatory diet forms the basis. This can actually look somewhat different for everyone, as everyone has a basic predisposition, possibly pre-existing conditions, and genetic variants. What can promote inflammation in one person may alleviate inflammation in another. However, sugar and highly processed foods should be reduced as much as possible for everyone.

Regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and mindful stress management support the regulation of the immune system. Smoking should be avoided and alcohol consumption reduced as much as possible.

A healthy, holistic lifestyle can thus contribute to positively influencing silent inflammations.

How vital mushrooms can support silent inflammations

With regard to inflammation in the body, two vital mushrooms are particularly noteworthy: Reishi and Chaga.

Reishi:

Reishi, also known as the "mushroom of eternal youth," has certainly earned its name not least due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is considered one of the most scientifically studied vital mushrooms, with currently over 5000 studies. Important ingredients include polysaccharides, especially arabinogalactans and the beta-glucan ganoderanes, proteoglycans, and polyphenols. The main active ingredients are triterpenes, of which the mushroom contains over 120 different compounds. Triterpenes have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The effect is due to the so-called Cox 1 and Cox 2 inhibition. These two enzymes play a central role in the formation of inflammatory mediators. In chronic inflammations, inflammatory mediators are continuously produced, and the inflammation cannot be "switched off." If the body is supported by the inhibitory effect of triterpenes, these processes can be reduced.

In addition, Reishi has a high antioxidant capacity, which means that oxidative stress is reduced. Inflammation and oxidative stress are closely related and mutually dependent, creating a vicious circle. Antioxidants help stop the cycle by reducing free radicals.

There are many more positive effects attributed to the mushroom. In the context of silent inflammations, the adaptogenic effect is also important to mention. As already mentioned, stress and lack of sleep can contribute to the development of chronic inflammations. The calming and stabilizing effect of Reishi on the central nervous system leads to better stress regulation, sleep promotion, and cortisol reduction.

Feel free to check out our Reishi products Pure Night, Pure Balance and our new Extract Capsules.

Chaga:

The king of antioxidants has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It has the highest ORAC value worldwide, which provides information about the antioxidant capacity of a food. The anti-inflammatory effect is due, among other things, to the betulinic acid it contains. The mushroom accumulates this from birch bark. In addition, Chaga scores with a high beta-glucan and melanin content. Melanin as a skin antioxidant protects our DNA from oxidation.

Due to its strong immunomodulating property and antioxidant effect, Chaga supports the reduction of systemic inflammation.

It can be taken as extracts or prepared as Chaga tea.

If you want to try Chaga tea, you can go directly to our Chaga chunks. Or are you more interested in our extract capsules or our Pure Immune liquid extract?

Conclusion on silent inflammations

Silent inflammations are long-lasting, subtle inflammatory processes that often go unnoticed yet can significantly contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Since they are closely linked to lifestyle factors, underlying diseases, and oxidative stress, a holistic approach is crucial: the treatment of existing diseases, an anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good sleep, and stress reduction form the basis.

In addition, vital mushrooms such as Reishi and Chaga can provide support through their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.

Author: Charlyne Krüger

Sources:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30995041/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31437163/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17666849/
• https://fet-ev.eu/kurzprofil/chronische-entzuendung-krankheitsbild/
• https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Cyclooxygenase_2