OYSTER MUSHROOM

Botanical Name:  Pleurotus ostreatus
Action:  Effectively reduces blood cholesterol levels.

Widely known to effectively reduce blood cholesterol levels, the benefits of the oyster mushroom begin with providing many vitamins and minerals, supporting healthy liver and kidney function.

Studies show that ingesting oyster mushroom in a concentrated form, on a regular basis either as a culinary staple or by supplement, can effectively reduce blood cholesterol levels. Due to the significant levels of the cholesterol-lowering lovastatin compound that is naturally occurring in the mushroom, it has been favorably selected over the use of the drug Lovastatin®.

Elevated cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. A number of studies have indicated that the consumption of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) can positively influence the lipid profile.

► Consumption of oyster mushrooms lowers concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and oxidized LDL due to antioxidative and cyclooxygenase inhibition properties.

REFERENCES
Ann Nutr Metab. 1991;35(4):191-5. Cholesterol-lowering effect of the mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus in hereditary hypercholesterolemic rats. Bobek P1, Ginter E, Jurcovicová M, Kuniak L.

Lipid lowering effects of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in humans. Journal of Functional Foods. Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 17-24.

The Mighty Oyster Mushroom: The Workhorse of Gourmet Fungi by Paul Stamets. Huffington Post article March 2013.