mushrooms

Despite the large number of scientific studies conducted on cognitive decline, which is generally age-related but can also begin even before age 65 and dramatically result in irreversible diseases such as Alzheimer‘ s disease, no effective treatment has been identified at present.

In a recent study conducted at the National University of Singapore by a team of researchers coordinated by Lei Feng, a possible association between mushroom consumption and reduced risk of experiencing cognitive decline was examined. The study was carried out on nearly 700 people over the age of 60, comparing subjects who consumed a portion of mushrooms (about 300 grams) less than once a week, compared with subjects in whom mushroom consumption was present more than twice a week. In people in the latter group, the authors found a reduced risk of presenting cognitive decline: this association was, among other things, independent of age, gender, cigarette and alcohol consumption, physical activity, social relationships, and the presence of diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, or cardiovascular disorders.

This effect is probably related to a substance found in mushrooms, ergothioneine, which has antioxidant properties and prevents the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Pahila et al, 2019). The authors conclude that mushrooms would have an active function against neuro-degeneration.

Could it be that an elixir against brain aging has finally been identified in mushrooms?

Bibliographical References

Lei Feng et al. The Association between Mushroom Consumption and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Singapore. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019 Feb 11. doi: 10.3233/JAD-180959.

Pahila J, Ishikawa Y, Ohshima T. Effects of Ergothioneine-Rich Mushroom Extract on the Oxidative Stability of Astaxanthin in Liposomes. Agric Food Chem. 2019 Mar 6. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b00485.

Ivy, oak and sumac plants cause an allergic reaction, and often resulting in a rash, in half of adults. A proportion of these individuals have a skin reaction, and only in 15-25% of cases is edema and eruption of blisters observed. Allergic people can come into contact with this plant through clothing, shoes, from contact with animal hair or through smoke from burning plants. There is no risk in touching the liquid contained in the vesicles. Symptoms include itching, erythema, edema, and blisters, depending on the form through which one is infected. Severity is certainly important, but so is the extent of the affected skin; in fact, the larger it is, the greater the need for medical treatment.

What to do?

Those who know they are allergic and have come in contact with a poisonous plant should act immediately. Many victims do not realize the contact until many hours or even days later. The moment the itching and rash appears, use soap and water to clean the skin or apply alcohol. Rinse to remove solubilized material.
For mild forms, 4 different methods can be used: tablets soaked in Burow’s solution, calamine or zinc oxide lotion, warm water mixed with two cups of colloidal vein flour, and baking soda paste.
For mild-to-moderate forms, however, treat the skin as for the mild form. Apply cortisone ointment and for itching soak the affected area in warm water.
For severe forms, use an oral corticosteroid or apply a corticosteroid ointment or cream and cover with a clear plastic sheet.

In Italy, among the most poisonous substances are mushrooms. They cause long incubation syndromes and short incubation syndromes.

What to do?

In case of phalloid syndrome, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain appear after a period of 6 to 20 hours. Treatment consists of gastrolusion with vegetable charcoal. This involves antibiotic therapy with forced diuresis.
In case of anticholinergic syndrome, the symptoms are dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Later, delirium, hallucinations, coma, and respiratory depression appear. Therapy consists of gastrolusion treatment with activated charcoal, sedation, and fluid therapy.
Tearing, miosis, rhinorrhea, broncho-spasm, vomiting, hypotension, tremors and paresthesias appear 2 hours after ingestion in the case of cholinergic syndrome. Treat the syndrome with gastroluxis.

Source: Mediserve‘s Pocket Guide to First Aid.