A Handful of Medicinal Mushrooms Each Day Keeps Diseases at Bay

BEAVERTON, OR--(Marketwire - April 14, 2009) - Turns out it takes a lot more than an apple a day to keep the doctor away.

"There's never been a time in history when our immune systems have been under so much assault," says New York Times Best Selling author, Fred Pescatore, M.D.

Stress, trauma, lack of sleep, overdosing on sugar, too much fat in our diet, overconsumption of alcohol and exposure to food allergens can all lead to a depressed immune system that responds slower in fighting off disease and infection. In addition, even if we live perfectly healthy lives, our immune system naturally deteriorates with age; a phenomenon known as 'immunosenescence.'

"From the air we breathe to the food we eat and the fast-paced lifestyles we lead, our bodies are not capable of handling these stresses without help," says Dr. Pescatore.

Certain foods are known for their immune boosting properties. The more of them you can work into your day, the better equipped you will become at fighting off viruses and keeping diseases at bay. So next time you sit down for a meal:

--  Sip green or black tea instead of juice.  The high amounts of
    antioxidants called polyphenols in tea fight off free radicals that damage
    healthy cells and make your body weak and susceptible to infections.
--  Add more avocados to your plate to provide the healthy oils that
    support heart health and zinc, which increases the production of white
    blood cells that fight off infections.
--  Ask for a double dose of mushrooms to really enhance your immune
    system.  Shiitake and maitake mushrooms pack the biggest immunity punch.
    

"One of the Japanese secrets of longevity and good health is their high consumption of medicinal mushrooms," says Dr. Pescatore, whose book, 'Mycology and Biotechnology: Development of AHCC and the Future of Mushroom Science' (Basic Health Publications) is due out next year. "Studies show Japanese medicinal mushrooms can increase the production and activity of white blood cells, which help fight off viruses, infections and abnormal cells that constantly attack our bodies."

If you can't consume a handful of mushrooms each day, don't fret. Dr. Pescatore recommends a special extract of hybridized Japanese medicinal mushrooms called AHCC. The dietary supplement has been used in Japan for over 20 years and has undergone research at Yale and Harvard in addition to being part of more than 30 published studies (www.ahccresearch.org). It is widely recommended by over a thousand doctors worldwide for daily immune support and prevention.

"The activation of the body's own immune system can be very effective in both the treatment and prevention of diseases resulting from stress and age," says Dr. Pescatore.

About AHCC Research Association

The Mission of the AHCC Research Association is to increase public awareness of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), educate consumers and doctors on its preventative and therapeutic benefits, and support research studies on AHCC. The Association was originally established in Japan in 1998 and subsequently expanded to the United States. Members of the Association's advisory board include researchers at Yale, Harvard, Columbia, UT MD Anderson, UC Davis and SUNY Binghamton among others.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Amy Summers 727-848-1618 ext. 202 Pitch Inc.