Reishi Mushroom Benefits for Men

Known as the lingzhi in China, the reishi mushroom is one of the most famous medicinal mushrooms in the world.

Enjoyed both for its nutritious value and its numerous health benefits all over East Asia since ancient times, recently, the reishi has also surged in popularity elsewhere.

Many curious souls are wondering these days whether adding some reishi to their diet could in any way improve their health and well-being.

In particular, many men out there have heard something about reishi€™s benefits for male health, but can you really trust all that hearsay?

Let€™s take a deep dive into the reishi mushroom and its unique health benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Reishi can help reduce hypertension or high blood pressure, thanks to its high polysaccharides content, which interact with the cardiovascular system in a unique way.
• Reishi works wonders at normalizing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, particularly fighting LDL, the €œbad cholesterol€ due to its polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and triterpenes content.
• Reishi mushrooms can provide pain relief, ward off viral infections, contribute positively to lung health, promote higher HDL levels, the €œgood cholesterol,€ and encourage cell regeneration, particularly in the liver. It can also be used as a dietary supplement for athletes to build strength and stamina and help reduce fatigue.

Benefits of Reishi Mushroom

We aren€™t going to beat around the bush: the rumors you might have heard are true, and reishi mushrooms do contribute in numerous positive ways to our physical well-being.

The reishi€™s fascinating health benefits were documented as early as 2000 BCE.

Since then, modern science has allowed us to map its effects on our bodies more closely, and we now know of a long list of ways in which the reishi €“ sometimes surprisingly €“ can help you and me improve our well-being and overall health.

High Blood Pressure

One of the most common health indicators used in general medicine today is blood pressure. This one measurement can, with accuracy, be correlated to any of a wide variety of the most common chronic ailments and diseases, particularly age-related ones.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, often results from various causes that can interact in very complex ways.

Here is where the reishi mushroom comes in. Reishi contains a lot of polysaccharides, a class of complex carbohydrates. These interact with your cardiovascular system in a unique way and have been shown tohelp reduce hypertension in many different demographics.

High Cholesterol

Like hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels are one of the most common indicators of poor health that we are warned about in PSAs, advertisements, and just about everywhere else.

Particularly for men, the risks that go hand in hand with high cholesterol can be very worrisome and include heart disease, several types of cancer, and obesity.

Overall, men with high cholesterol levels are much more likely to die young and in poorer health than their peers.

Then, it should come as great news that the reishi mushroom is also an effective way to combat high cholesterol. Thanks to its polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and triterpenes, reishi works wonders at normalizing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

In particular, it is effective in fighting LDL, the so-called €œbad cholesterol.€

Cardiovascular Disease

The reishi does not just fight high levels of harmful LDL cholesterol; itmay also promote higher HDL levels, the €œgood cholesterol.€

In addition, reishi contributes to low levels of triglycerides, which are strongly linked to cardiovascular disease.

All in all, thanks to the reishi mushroom€™s unique blend of active ingredients, itmay turn your heart health on its head €“ and much for the better.

Liver or Kidney Disease

Elsewhere in the body, the reishi can be equally potent as a promoter of healthy functioning.

A healthy liver is essential for flushing toxins out of your system, as well as keeping your body safe from disease and infection.

Reishi mushrooms encourage cell regeneration, particularly in the liver this can be a gigantic boon to your health. Likewise, as a powerful antioxidant, reishi may help the liver and the kidneys remove harmful compounds from the bloodstream.

Respiratory Diseases

Reishi mushroomsmay contribute positively to lung health.

Viral Infections

Because of its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, medicinal mushrooms like the reishi are also great at warding off viral infections.

Pain During and After A Shingles Outbreak

Shingles can be one of the most physically uncomfortable conditions to deal with, and particularly during recovery, chronic pain can be unbearable. Prescription treatments and medication exist, but they remain quite ineffective for many.

This is where reishi mushrooms come in. As powerful immunomodulators and relaxants, these fungimaypromote pain relief.

At the same time, reishi helps stave off the infection €“ something that no other pain medication or treatment can claim to do at once.

Building Strength and Stamina

Reishi is an effective dietary supplement for athletes and workout enthusiasts who wish to improve their performance by boosting the immune system and metabolism.

The reishi mushroommay help you increase your VO2-max, in other words allowing you to push yourself harder, wring more effort out of those muscles, and maximize the amount of time you spend in or near your anaerobic zone.

For runners, in particular, this can be a great option to bring down your lap times, and when used consistently, can lead to definite long-term improvements.

Fatigue

Because of its energy-boosting metabolic effects, the reishi mushroom naturally also makes for a great remedy against fatigue.

Especially for those suffering from chronic lack of energy, reishi can be a godsend compared to traditional medications and treatments.

Within only a month or two, regular use of reishi mushrooms can noticeably improve energy levels and even lift moods. Indeed, reishi has been explored with some measure of success as a treatment for chronic depression.

Risks of Taking Reishi Mushroom

No medicine is without its risks, and why should a mushroom be different? True, not many people experience adverse side effects from consuming reishi, and the risks, though real, are rare.

Nevertheless, you need to consider what unintended effects reishi might have on your body before adding it to your existing diet and regimen.

Allergic Reaction

The most significant risk involved in taking reishi mushrooms is an allergic reaction. These can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening €“ thankfully, though, especially the latter is incredibly rare.

Still, if you have any doubts whatsoever, or if you have existing allergies that might cross-fire with reishi, do get a consultation with your doctor regarding this issue.

Blood Pressure Problems

While reishi mushrooms can naturally lower blood pressure, those already using prescription medicine for their blood pressure might want to see a professional first before trying out reishi.

Otherwise, you could end up with dangerously low blood pressure by accident or see other side effects appear as the reishi€™s compounds interfere with your medicine.