In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season is associated with specific organ systems, and summer is considered the season of the heart. In recent years, reishi mushrooms have gained significant attention for their potential health benefits, particularly in the realm of cardiovascular health. One of the most compelling areas of study has been their purported ability to lower blood pressure. In this article, we will explore the ways in which reishi mushrooms may contribute to cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure.
Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that can have serious implications for cardiovascular health. When left unmanaged, high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, aneurysm, kidney failure, pregnancy risks, and even dementia, vision loss, and erectile dysfunction.
The Heart in TCM
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, so it’s easy to understand why TCM considers the heart the “king” of the organs. While TCM’s version of heart is more than the fist-sized muscular pump in your chest—TCM includes the emotion of joy, the colour red, the flavour bitter, and so much more—it also includes what Western medicine called the cardiovascular system of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Reishi Mushrooms to Support Heart Health
When it comes to cardiovascular health, reishi mushrooms are believed to offer several potential mechanisms that may contribute to lowering blood pressure.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Chronic inflammation has been linked to various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension. Reishi mushrooms contain bioactive compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing inflammatory markers in the body, reishi mushrooms may help to mitigate the systemic inflammation that can contribute to elevated blood pressure.
Antioxidant Properties
The presence of antioxidants in reishi mushrooms is another promising aspect of their potential cardiovascular benefits. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, has been implicated in the development of hypertension. Reishi mushrooms’ rich antioxidant content may help combat oxidative stress and its detrimental effects on blood pressure regulation and overall cardiovascular health.
Vasodilatory Effects
Healthy blood pressure regulation relies on the proper function of blood vessels. Reishi mushrooms have been found to exhibit vasodilatory effects, meaning they can help to relax blood vessels, improve blood flow, and reduce resistance within the cardiovascular system. By facilitating better blood circulation, reishi mushrooms may contribute to the maintenance of healthy blood pressure levels.
They appear to do this by acting as an angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and ACE inhibitors are a classification of pharmaceuticals that are used to lower blood pressure by preventing an enzyme from making angiotension 2, which would narrow the blood vessels. In other words, by preventing the narrowing of blood vessels, they remain more open, and the heart doesn’t have to work pump as hard to move the blood.
Cholesterol Regulation
Elevated cholesterol levels, particularly high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can contribute to the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Studies have suggested that reishi mushrooms may have a beneficial impact on lipid metabolism, including the ability to regulate cholesterol levels. By modulating cholesterol, reishi mushrooms can support cardiovascular health and help in the management of blood pressure.
Take Care of Your Heart
Of course, there are many lifestyle things you can do to take good care of your heart, including doing regular exercise, watching your salt intake, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and managing your stress. In addition, adding a high-quality reishi mushroom supplement to your regime can up that protection.
The potential of reishi mushrooms to contribute to cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure is an area of ongoing research and interest. Their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasodilatory, and cholesterol-regulating properties offer promising avenues for supporting cardiovascular wellness. It’s important to note, however, that it’s essential not to stop any medication you are taking without first talking to a qualified health professional.
The good news is that taking a reishi supplement is easy, and because it’s an adaptogenic—helps modulate the body’s systems to normalize—it won’t lower your blood pressure unless that’s needed. You’ll also find a slew of other health benefits, including improved immune response, calmer mind, and more energy. And that makes my heart sing!
