In recent years there have been several studies indicating that oyster mushroom have a protective effect with many different types of cancer. This is because the fibres in the oyster mushroom influence the immune system. Oyster mushrooms also contain a protein that inhibits the activity of HIV-infected cells. But the medicinal effect where the oyster mushroom is most famous for is its cholesterol-lowering effect. These two effects combined make oyster mushrooms very interesting for people who are infected with the HIV-virus. This is because the drugs prescribed for HIV infection often have as a side effect that they increase cholesterol levels.
The cholesterol-lowering effect of the oyster mushroom is due to the substance lovastatin it contains. This substance inhibits the production of cholesterol in the liver and it lowers the cholesterol level in the blood. Lovastatin is sold and prescribed by doctors to lower cholesterol levels. In the Netherlands and Belgium this medicine is not for sale, but the oyster mushroom is.
In the Netherlands there are fresh oyster mushrooms available at most supermarkets. You can prepare them the same way as the regular mushrooms. Preferably tear them into strips instead of cutting them to pieces because the taste gets better retained when they’re torn. I personally prefer the oyster mushrooms stir fried, you’ve easily created a healthy tasty dish with some onions and spices. You could also make a deliciously healthy sauce for your vegetables of the oyster mushroom. For this you have to put the oyster mushrooms after frying them in a blender with some water and stir it till you get a smooth, flavourful sauce.Some reasons summed up to add the oyster mushroom to your diet:
- The oyster mushroom has a strong antibacterial effect.
- The oyster mushroom has an antiviral effect.
- The oyster mushroom lowers cholesterol levels in your blood.
- The oyster mushroom inhibits the production of cholesterol in the liver.
- The oyster mushroom can lower your blood pressure.
- The oyster mushroom has a protective effect against cancer.
- The oyster mushroom is a good source of B vitamins.
- The oyster mushroom is a good source of the mineral selenium, of which our nutrition in the West is often deficient.
