Yes, I agree that’s quick, and Shiitake (Lentinus Edodes) is really good-tasting, I too make sure I have fresh mushrooms once a week but beyond that I’m too lazy, so I started to study micotherapy.
Shiitake has many beneficial properties (as the immunomodulatory and anti-carcinogenic function you cite), some shared with other mushrooms and is often used in conjunction with other species.
I realized there are currently only 10-12 species of registered medicinal mushrooms (in Europe), and they are often used in combinations. Some, like the Reishi or Ganoderma Lucidum, are not edible usually; some like the Cordyceps genus are rarely found fresh in the West (never really saw them) or are exceedingly rare and costly (Cordyceps sinensis).
At the end, it is fun to design your own regime of micotherapy, parallel to the regime of conventional supplements and the literature shows so many properties that they are hard to ignore.
At the end I selected 3 species, according to my specific requirements: Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi), Cordyceps sinensis/militaris and Hericium Erinaceus (Lion’s mane).
My degree of belief in their efficacy is pretty strong (the OP is about ‘thinking’, or ‘believing’, of course after considerate research).
It’s interesting that the AI lists first just about the same supplements listed by Peter Attia and other credible influencers.
But then, he goes on including unknown molecules and ignoring other well-known ones…
A lot of these are complex, however. Zinc is very easy to overdose. The menaquinones with more isoprene residues (eg K2 MK7) are useful to make the Electron Transport Chain more efficient, but disrupt sleep.
Etc etc.
Creatine is interesting because it increases endogenous creatinine which acts as a storage of ATP, but I wonder if chronic usage undermines AMPK.
I don’t know anything about hemp oil. I’ve always taken algae oil instead of fish oil because I’m vegan… and I assume there is less mercury, although I haven’t checked. Any thoughts of algae vs hemp?
EDIT:
I just googled and see hemp has ala and not dha/epa … asked and answered
When we talk about essential fatty acids, the term “essential” actually only applies to Alpha Linolenic Acid (LNA) and Linoleic Acid (LA) - the two Omega oils found in plants but does not apply to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) or Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), the Omega 3 derivatives found in Fish Oil. The reason is that your body can and does convert LNA into EPA and DHA, so you don’t need to eat EPA or DHA - you only need to make sure you have enough LNA and your body can make the others from it. FACT #1 - the EPA and DHA found in Fish Oil are not essential dietary components. But what about claims that your body cannot convert ALA (as found in Hemp Oil) into EPA and DHA or that the conversion rate is too low? That claim was not true when the fish oil industry invented it and it is not true now. Your body can convert ALA into both EPA and DHA. Various factors influence how much conversion takes place but the research is well established that at least 20-30% of Omega 3 LNA gets converted into the Omega 3 derivatives EPA and DHA. FACT #2 - Omega 3 from plant sources are converted into EPA and DHA in your body. Things that enhance the conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA are:
Protein
B Vitamins
Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium
All of which are found in high abundance in Hemp Seeds. Another thing which increases the conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA is being vegetarian. Research at Cambridge University showed that conversion is 22% higher in vegetarians than in people who eat fish. FACT #3 - Vegetarian bodies are better at metabolising ALA Omega 3 A few other things you should know about Fish Oil. Firstly, wild and farmed fish all over the world are known to be contaminated with dangerous toxins such as Mercury, Dioxins and PCBs. This is why the British Government Food Standards Agency and others publish public warnings to limit the amount of fish eaten, especially in pregnant women.
I don’t actually use fish oil and only use algae oil. You mentioned some things I’ve never heard before, so thanks for taking the time to share all of that info.
Algae oil sounds very expensive. Hemp oil used to be very expensive… but the last 2 years it has dropped to about as low as $6 AUD for 250ml. Cheap enough for me to consume 1 tablespoon a day. My LDL and HDL score is never an issue. It taste a bit like EVOO, perhaps a little stronger… and I started having it with MCT ($7.50 AUD for 250ml). Both I buy at the local supermarket. Both are certified organic.
I guess if you think you need DHA and EPA over ALA. I believe the body can convert ALA to DHA and EPA as it needs. Fish oil is never an option because of the mercury risk. Thus I feel safer taking hemp oil which have other anti inflammatory benefits. Of course algae oil producer will tell you theirs are better and vice versa… For me, my blood work shows good results and no fishy after taste. As for algae… I am not sure… but I stick to what I know.
The body can convert ALA , a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, into DHA and EPA , but the conversion process is very inefficient. Only a small percentage of ALA is converted to EPA (typically less than 10%) and even less to DHA (often less than 1%).
Fish oil supplements are purified through processes such as molecular distillation to remove contaminants, including mercury.
