There is, perhaps, no other food source surrounded by such magic and mystery as mushrooms. In the videos embedded below, leading mycologist Paul Stamets offers a glimpse into some of the roles medicinal mushrooms play in health, such as activating your immune system, naturally fight flu viruses and other diseases, and potentially fighting cancer. Mushrooms may even help to save our environment by restoring habitat that's been devastated by pollution, and creating sustainable fuel.
Mushrooms are actually the fruit of mycelium, which is a "filamentous, cobweb-like cellular network." As Stamets explained:
1 "The cobwebby mycelium exudes enormous suites of enzymes, antimicrobial agents, antiviral compounds, as it grows in the ground beneath our feet and in the forests around us. Mycelium is the cellular foundation of our food webs, creating the rich soils so necessary for life.
"Mycelium is a digestive membrane that also destroys many environmental toxic wastes, and has spawned a new science - called 'Mycoremediation'... Partnering with mycelium improves environmental health - outside and inside our body."
When mycelium produces its fruits, the resulting mushrooms last only a few days, which adds to the excitement for wild mushroom hunters.
Comment: Whether you suspect you have one of these genetic mutations or not, adopting a paleo diet can provide numerous health benefits by getting the nutrients that your body needs, while avoiding the toxins and inflammatory foods that damage your body.