Medicinal mushrooms, also known as medicinal fungi, represent a group of fungal species that have been attributed with significant health-promoting properties for centuries.
Medicinal mushrooms contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, glycoproteins, triterpenes, and secondary metabolites, which work synergistically to modulate the immune system, enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms, and support anti-inflammatory processes in the body.
The mechanisms of action of medicinal mushrooms are diverse. For example, they stimulate macrophages, increase the activity of natural killer cells, and promote the production of cytokines, which can contribute to improved immune responses.
Moreover, due to their antioxidant properties, they can provide protection against cellular damage caused by free radicals. Thus, the preventive use of medicinal mushrooms can contribute to disease prevention and promote holistic well-being.
In the production of dietary supplements, standardized extraction of the bioactive ingredients is crucial to ensure consistent quality and efficacy of the products.
