(NaturalNews) Incorporating mushrooms in diets is a great way to obtain health benefits, ranging from boosting vitamin D levels to improving brain function.

However, the substance in one mushroom in particular seems to make it the health food superstar above all of them, standing out from the pack for its ability to ward off viruses and tumors. The reishi (genus: Ganoderma) mushroom contains active substances called triterpenoids in its spores, and studies have linked these triterpenoids to some very powerful healing benefits, including helping those with cancer and even HIV.

Experts weigh in on the healing powers of triterpenoids in reishi mushroom spores

Often dubbed the "King of Herbs" and called a "supernatural" mushroom or the "lucky fungus" based on translations from other cultures, the reishi mushroom has been a popular health choice for thousands of years. It's logical that it would be. After all, it has more than 400 bioactive compounds and is known to help improve the skin by eliminating dead surface cells, treat those with chronic fatigue disorders, regulate blood sugars and even help with altitude sickness.

However, the finding that its triterpenoids have the potential to eliminate the likes of cancer, HIV and herpes makes it a coveted alternative medicine option well worth exploring. The North American Journal of Medical Sciences published findings that analyzed these substances after they were isolated from the mushroom's spores, saying that "Triterpenoids isolated from ganoderma spores showed significantly anti-HIV-1 protease, anti-tumor, and anti-complement activities. Triterpenoids are the main active constituents of ganoderma spores and show various bioactivities for its medicinal use."

Even the world-renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is on board with the reishi mushroom's ability to heal, noting its role as a way for cancer and HIV patients to stimulate their immune system. For example, reishi mushroom raises the T cell levels in HIV patients.

Furthermore, the triterpenoids in the reishi mushroom have been shown to provide a host of other health benefits. They have anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory properties, help reduce cholesterol and also inhibit platelets from forming, which prevents blood clots.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://beforeitsnews.com

http://www.livestrong.com

http://www.abovetopsecret.com

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia