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Edible Mushrooms as Novel Myco-therapeutics: Effects on Lipid Level, Obesity, and BMI

Summary

This research explores how edible mushrooms can help combat obesity and related health issues. Mushrooms contain natural compounds that can help with weight management and overall health. Here’s how this research impacts everyday life: • Mushrooms can be used as a low-calorie, nutritious alternative to meat in daily meals • Regular mushroom consumption may help control weight and reduce cholesterol levels • Adding mushrooms to your diet could help improve gut health through beneficial effects on gut bacteria • Mushrooms provide a natural and affordable way to supplement conventional weight management approaches • People with diabetes or heart disease may benefit from including more mushrooms in their diet due to their blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering effects

Background

Obesity, indicated by a body mass index over 30 kg/m2, is a worsening global health issue leading to chronic diseases like type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. While conventional treatments include physical activity and maintaining negative energy balance, these alone cannot determine body weight. Alternative treatments like medication and surgery can be expensive or have side effects, leading to increased interest in dietary interventions including nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Objective

To review and analyze the effects of edible mushrooms on obesity, lipid profiles, and BMI, with emphasis on their bioactive compounds and mechanisms of action. The study aims to evaluate mushrooms as potential therapeutic agents for obesity management through their effects on satiety, adipocyte function, and gut microbiota.

Results

The review found that edible mushrooms contain numerous bioactive compounds including polysaccharides (β-D-glucans), chitinous substances, heteroglycans, proteoglycans, peptidoglycans, alkaloids, lactones, lectins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, and minerals. These compounds demonstrated chemo-preventive, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Mushroom consumption was found to reduce plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and plasma glucose levels. Polysaccharides from edible mushrooms were shown to suppress mRNA expression in adipocytes, contributing to anti-obesity effects.

Conclusion

Edible mushrooms show significant potential as therapeutic agents for obesity management through multiple mechanisms including modification of gut microbiota, regulation of lipid metabolism, and appetite suppression. Their bioactive compounds demonstrate beneficial effects on various obesity-related parameters, suggesting mushrooms could be valuable nutraceuticals for preventing and treating obesity and related chronic ailments.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof8020211
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