Do you want to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way? If so, then you might consider adding reishi mushrooms supplements to your diet. Reishi mushrooms have been shown to aid in weight loss in a number of ways, including improving metabolism, decreasing inflammation, and helping control blood sugar levels.
Obesity is now recognized as one of the most significant health issues. Recent WHO Global Estimates suggest more than 1.9 billion people over 18 years are overweight. The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally at a frightening pace, nearly tripling between 1975 and 2016. The weight loss industry is full of programs and products promising to lose weight.
From several magic to extreme diets, they guarantee you will achieve your goal weight. There is no quick or easy way to lose all that excess body fat. However, mushrooms such as Reishi have been found to combat obesity.
And we have the evidence, supported by science! This article details Reishi mushrooms role in the weight loss process, as well as explaining, how reishi mushrooms aid in weight loss. Read on to find out more!
10 Ways Reishi Mushroom Helps With Weight Loss
Reishis potential for weight loss has been tested by a team of international scientists in a new study. A 2015 Taiwanese study suggested Reishi has benefits in weight loss.
The study analysed the effects of the Reishi mushrooms in a murine model, which was fed with high-fat diets for 8 weeks. One group of mice, besides a high-fat diet, was given Ganoderma mushrooms supplements. Both groups of mice became obese while on a high-fat diet.
- A 20-29% decrease in the amount of fat deposited in the body cavity A
- 44 to 59% decrease in the fat deposited underneath the skin
- A 17% decrease in the weight of the liver and the sites of fat deposition
- An 8 to 16% decline in total body weight
Ganoderma lucidums weight-loss properties are mostly attributed to fungal polysaccharides. The polysaccharides were shown to have significant antiobesity effects in terms of bodyweight. Let us look more closely at Ganodermas weight-loss mechanisms.
1. Reishi Mushroom Decreases Obesity Related Inflammation
Lingzhi (reishi) mushrooms may slow down weight gain processes by changing bacteria in our digestive tract. One area that is being studied is the possible role that intestinal bacteria play in promoting obesity-induced inflammation.
Gut bacteria produce an endotoxin known as lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Endotoxins are toxins that are found within bacteria cells and are released as they break down. The levels of these LPS are increased in the blood after eating a high-fat diet. LPS therefore plays both a direct and indirect role in inflammatory responses within body fat cells during obesity.
Reishi mushrooms are also found to have direct anti-inflammatory properties. The mushrooms reduced the levels of inflammation in a model in a study, which typically increases following high-fat diets.
2. Reishi Alters Gut Bacteria and the Micro-Biome
The study showed that when mushrooms were added to a rats diet, they changed the composition of the bacteria living in its intestines. Gut bacteria are the main components of our digestive system, and bacterial species differ among lean people and obese people. Researchers have shown that transferring feces of mice fed mushrooms to other mice helped recipient mice to lose weight and decrease the fat buildup under their skin.
3. Reishi Mushroom May Prevent Fat Accumulation
The data, while preliminary, showed Reishi mushrooms, as well as extracts from them, may be useful for the prevention of fat accumulation in the body. They may decrease body weight and prevent body weight gain in the models studied. A model of mice fed a high-fat diet reached just 42g for the first two months, while mice that were also fed high-dose extracts from Reishi reached 35g for the same length.
The high fat tissue mass of obesity is associated with a high free-fatty acid (FFA) content. Reishi mushrooms extract has been shown to decrease the levels of FFA in the blood, thus preventing body fat accumulation.
4. Reishi Mushroom Has Prebiotic Potential
Prebiotics and antibiotics are among many treatments being evaluated for obesity and related inflammation. The water extract from Ganoderma lucidum was found to be a potential prebiotic agent, which may be used in future for the treatment of obesity and its complications.
Supplementation of an obese mouse model with extracts from reishi decreased bodyweight gain and fat accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. In other words, the Reishi mushrooms provide prebiotic support, which fuels the beneficial organisms.
5. Reishi Maintains a Healthy Microbiome
A high-fat diet may cause your intestines to release the LPS into your bloodstream. This study notes that ganoderma extract improved intestinal barrier integrity, even in mice fed high-fat diets.
6. Reishi Decreases Obesity-Associated Immune Dysfunction
High-fat diets are also associated with progressive loss of regulatory T cells (Tregs).
These cells regulate and modulate the immune system to maintain body homeostasis. Water extracts from reishi were found to boost Treg cells in livers and fat tissues in mice.
7. Reishi Decreases Insulin Resistance
Obesity is also associated with increased risk for developing insulin resistance and diabetes.
Insulin resistance is when your muscles, fat cells, and liver fail to respond to the actions of your blood sugar-lowering insulin hormone. The cells in our bodies do not take in glucose from the blood, thus raising the sugar levels. Ganoderma mushrooms decrease the probability of insulin resistance in mice. Reishi mushrooms are also known for decreasing blood glucose levels. High sugar levels in your blood may trigger food cravings, which may cause weight gain.
8. Reishi Reduces Fatigue
Reishi mushrooms are useful for fighting fatigue. They decrease aches and pains in the body, and increase energy levels and muscle endurance after exercising. One of the biggest reasons why people skip their workouts is fatigue and muscular tiredness. Taking Reishi medicinal mushrooms will increase energy, helping you to jumpstart your fitness routine.
9. Reishi Mushrooms Provides Stress Relief
Stressful living is also a prime contributor to obesity. We tend to deal with stress by eating calorie- and fat-rich “comfort foods” or by reaching for a glass of alcohol.
Reishi mushrooms are mushrooms that are adaptogens. They help your body deal with and adapt to stressful situations. Consuming reishi mushrooms calms an overactive mind. Lingzhi helps you to relax and loosen up, thus decreasing the mindless eating which leads to obesity.
10. Reishi Is Low On Calories
Reishi mushrooms are high in micronutrients and essential macronutrients. The mushrooms provide high amounts of dietary fiber and water, and are low in calories. Apart from this, it is also a good source of protein. Replacing meat products in your diet with reishi mushrooms can aid in your weight loss journey.
So Is Ganoderma Good for Weight Loss?
With all the evidence presented above, we think ganoderma is definitely good for weight loss. While it’s not going to help you make the tough decisions that you have to make in order to lose weight, it will definitely support you on your journey.
You can find our favorite capsules, powders, and tincture’s on the following pages of our website and learn more about each individually:
The Top Reishi Mushroom Supplement
The Top Reishi Mushroom Powder
The Top Reishi Mushroom Tincture
The Top Reishi Mushroom Mushroom Gummies
Additional Resources:
Reishi Mushroom Hormone Balance
Updated October 10/24/2022
