Mushrooms and Hifas da Terra defined; how can they support you - Lorna Ryan MA, DipION, mBANT, CNHC

This week Hifas da Terra Nutritional Therapist, Lorna Ryan, talks about how mushrooms can support people living with cancer…

Welcome to the first instalment of exciting blog posts about using mushrooms in integrative oncology care, brought to you by one of the world leading biotechnology centres, Hifas da Terra. 

In this first blog we showcase Hifas da Terra and present the promising natural agents that are medicinal mushrooms, giving you an overview of how mushrooms can support your integrative oncology. And, over the next several blogs expect exciting detailed insights of how mushrooms effect cancer pathways. We will explain how Mycotherapy may support immune health, reduce inflammation, improve detoxification, maintain nutritional status and have the potential for increased energy.

This blog series also brings a very special offer to all Yes to Life members, a generous 30% off Hifas da Terra products, so even more reasons to keep reading!

Let’s start today with a proper introduction to Hifas da Terra (HdT), a family owned Spanish brand with international reputation in Mycotherapy. In their very own chestnut forest, HdT grow medicinal mushrooms such as Shiitake, Reishi, Royal Sun Agaricus, Boletus, Lion’s Mane and Maitake to certified organic standards. A specialized production process delivers a pure extract, high in concentration of active ingredients. With a focus on research, innovation and development HdT create high-quality medicinal mushroom products for the skin and food supplements. HdT Founder Catalina Fernandez de Ana Portela dedicates research and application of Mycology to health (Mycotherapy) to offer a new perspective as adjunct to an integrative approach for cancer care.

So why are mushrooms so beneficial as adjunct therapy in cancer support? Mushrooms are rich in fibre, proteins, essential amino acids, trace elements, minerals, beta-glucans, enzymes, triterpenes, oligosaccharides, natural antioxidants and vitamins (A, B, C, E and D). Such rich nutritional properties found in clinical trials to have very complex and versatile modes of action, namely due to their immune modulating compounds.

Clinical experience shows medicinal mushrooms act as adaptogens, meaning they provide both stimulating and soothing effects dependant on biological needs. For example, one type of mushroom can stimulate an immune system which is underactive, such as in cancer patients, and balance an immune system that is overly active for instance in autoimmune diseases. This means in practice mushrooms clearly demonstrate a regulatory effect on the body and various effects on cancer pathways.

Importantly mushrooms formulated in HdT products don't use the liver CYP450, used as the metabolism pathway by most drugs. Meaning that since pharmacodynamics and kinetics are not changed, mushrooms can be used safely under medical supervision to support biological responses, maintaining healthy cellular microenvironments, nutritional status as well as supporting orthodox treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

If you wish to try Mycotherapy as an adjunct to your care program it is highly recommend you contact our team of qualified health professionals to seek advice on which mushroom may best support your specific needs.

Hifas da Terra are delighted to offer YES TO LIFE members a 30% discount across the entire range of Mycotherapy products.

Please contact our team at health@hifasdaterra.com