Mushroom Extract May Help Treat Obesity, Study Reveals

A recent study done on mice indicates that a mushroom popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine may be used to help treat obesity by changing bacteria composition in the gut.

In the research, scientists found that mice which were given a high-fat diet and a special mushroom extract (Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi) for two months gained significantly less weight compared to mice that were given the same diet without the special extract.

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One of the co-authors of the study, John D. Young from Taiwan’s Chang Gung University says that given the good safety records of Lingzhi and the fact that it is very similar in composition to other mushrooms people consume regularly, it may be considered to be a good way to lose excess weight. However, it may be more effective when combined with other weight loss techniques like calorie restriction and exercising regularly.

Lingzhi for Weight Loss

Dr. Monica Aggarwal who is a renowned diet expert and cardiologist working at the Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore said it is still too early to tell whether the mushroom extract will be as effective in humans. The study only indicates that it may be effective only for mice. She thinks it is still an interesting subject that raises some possibilities although it is not conceivable to say it will work on humans just because it works for mice.

The scientists who conducted the study also found that there are molecules from the mushroom that changed the composition of gut bacteria in the mice given a high-fat diet. After consumption of the extract, the community of gut bacteria in the mice became similar to that of lean mice that were given a normal diet. There are previous studies indicating that there may be a connection between gut bacteria, digestion and fat storage.

How Lingzhi Works?

Another co-author of the study, Hsin-Chih Lai who is also from Chang Gung University said the key part of the mushroom extract’s anti-obesity effects appear to be because of its modulating effects on gut microbiota composition. There are other research done previously which indicate that there is connection between changes in gut bacteria composition and the development of metabolic disorders and obesity in mice.

Furthermore, the scientists in the recent study collected gut bacteria form the feces of the group that were given the mushroom extract which were then transplanted to the guts of obese mice that were not given the extract. They found that this also changed the composition of gut bacteria to a more beneficial one.

Is This The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution?

Yet, experts like Aggarwal are still skeptical when it comes to studies like this which focused on finding some sort of “magic cure” for obesity. Aggarwal pointed out that the study is somehow flawed since the participants were given a high fat diet then the researchers tried to reverse the problem using a magical cure. She believes that it would be better to fix the diet plan. The problem is that many people are looking for a quick fix for excess weight and obesity. There is still no such thing and the best and most effective strategy would still be to change the diet and restrict calories. It would also be very helpful to make healthy lifestyle changes like increasing activity level.

Simple Weight Loss Guide

If you want to lose weight, you have to change your diet and burn more calories daily. However, you first need to consult your physician especially if you have any medical condition. For weight loss, creating a calorie deficit daily is what you should focus on. This will cause your body to burn its fat stores for energy since you are not getting enough calories from the food you are eating. You can also create a calorie deficit through exercise like jogging and lifting weights. Combining the two forms of exercise would be best for faster weight loss. There are many other forms of exercise like boxing, spinning, yoga and dancing.

You may be tempted to take “fat burners” and other weight loss supplements but you need to be careful with these products. Some products contain potentially harmful ingredients that can cause side effects so you should research carefully before buying. If you have any medical condition or are taking medication, you should consult your physician before taking any supplement. Just remember that you should not solely rely on a supplement for weight loss. You still need to consume fewer calories and/or burn more calories daily.

References:

·         http://www.livescience.com/51319-lingzhi-mushroom-extract-treat-obesity.html

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTauwLsyNuw

·         http://www.webmd.com/women/features/weight-loss-tips

·         http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20501331,00.html

·         https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/weight-loss/mushroom-extract-may-help-treat-obesity.html