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COMPREHENSIVE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM SUPPORT
The respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen, one of our most crucial requirements for life. Our lungs are one of the largest interfaces between us and the outside world, and they need to be equipped to deal with airborne particulates that can bring in pollutants, allergens, and infectious pathogens. Healthy immune function in the lungs is essential to respond to these threats. The response to pollutants requires strong detoxification and elimination functions; the response to allergens requires balance in our adaptive immune responses, determined by the ratio of T cell subtypes; and the response to pathogens requires a precise and efficient innate immune response that can eliminate infection before it takes hold.
Lucidum Medicinals has formulated the Lungs formula with well-researched mushrooms to support a healthy respiratory immune and allergic response, a healthy response to smoke and particulate exposure, and to improve aerobic endurance and adaptation to altitude changes.*
Background
When pollutants and infection damage the lungs, the airway or the alveoli can become weak, as in obstructive lung disease, collapsing when air is trying to leave the lungs. In people predisposed to allergy, airborne allergens can trigger skewed immune responses, leading to airway contraction, mucus production, and compromised lung function, while innate immune dysfunction can lead to recurrent airway infections. Our responses to allergens and pathogens can both lead to airway inflammation, which in turn increases the likelihood of further allergy, infection, inflammation, and obstruction, in a positive feedback cycle.
Mushrooms support the respiratory system through many mechanisms, supporting a healthy respiratory allergic response, modulating inflammation, decreasing the frequency of respiratory infections, and improving oxygen utilization.
REISHI
Reishi is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to ‘replenish Qi’ and relieve cough and associated conditions. Modern research has corroborated Reishi’s effects on the lungs, demonstrating anti-histamine, anti-allergic, and immune-modulating mechanisms. Clinical trials demonstrate improvements in aerobic endurance in women with fatigue and chronic pain, and a combination of reishi and cordyceps improves exercise recovery in athletes.
Action | Mechanism |
|---|---|
Nephroprotective | Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) |
Immune modulating | Increases p53 tumor suppressor gene expression; upregulates caspase-3 expression |
Hypoglycemic | Inhibits aldose reductase and α glucosidase |
Hypouricemic | Inhibits xanthine oxidase |
Anti-pathogenic | Inhibits neuraminidase; promotes NK cell and cytotoxic T cell activity |
Anti-allergic | Inhibits histamine release;
modulates of Th1/Th2 polarization |
Anti-atherogenic | Inhibits lipid peroxidation |
Anti-androgenic | Inhibits 5-α-reductase |
Adaptogenic | Modulates cortisol secretion |
Cordyceps has been used for centuries in Chinese and Tibetan medicine for lung support, and modern research validates cordyceps’ ability to reduce lung damage and inflammation associated with smoke inhalation. In a meta-analysis, patients with moderate obstructive lung disease taking cordyceps alongside Western medicine show improved lung function tests and functional outcomes compared to patients using Western medicine alone. Cordyceps also improves respiratory allergic responses by moderating TH2 immune activity.
CORDYCEPS
Action | Mechanism |
|---|---|
Vascular tonic | Vasorelaxant via production of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) |
Respiratory tonic (reduces airway reactivity and remodeling) | Inhibits inflammatory airway remodeling via down-regulation of TGF-β |
Nephroprotective | Regulates kidney function studies; inhibits TGF-β |
Anti-allergic | Attenuates IgE production; reduces eotaxin, ICAM-1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 production |
Inflammation modulating | Suppresses NF-kB activity; decreases iROS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity |
Immune modulating | Increases NK cells, IFN-γ, and IL-2 |
Adaptogenic (stimulating) | |
Ergogenic, anti-hypoxic | Stimulates lactic acid dehydrogenase; increases free radical scavenging activity after exercise; increases VEGF activity
|
Oyster mushroom is best known as a delicious food, and is rich in immune modulating polysaccharides. Clinical studies have demonstrated that formulations containing oyster mushroom polysaccharides raise levels of natural killer (NK) cells, and help to prevent recurrent respiratory infections in children and athletes partially via anti-allergic mechanisms.
OYSTER MUSHROOM
Action | Mechanism |
|---|---|
Neuroprotective, antioxidant | Reduces neuronal oxidative stress |
Inflammation modulating (topically) | β-glucan-induced modulation of inflammation |
Immune modulating | Increases NK cells; reduces frequency of respiratory infections
|
Anti-allergic | Modulates IgE production; reduces eosinophilia
|
Anti-atherogenic | Diminished lipid peroxidation; inhibits HMG-CoA reductase; inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) |
