Sunday, February 10, 2008

Nutritional Elements

Carbohydrates
PolysaccharidesPolysaccharides are composed of several 100,000's to several millions of glucose units. Everyday starch also has the same composition. It is possible to extract different types of polysaccharides with extremely heavy molecular weights from Lingzhi (Reishi). But because the bonding of the polysaccharides in Lingzhi (Reishi) is very different from that in starch, it is difficult for human digestive enzymes to break them down into the small molecular glucose. Consequently, Lingzhi (Reishi) polysaccharides are able to have a number of important physiological effects in humans and animals, and are beneficial to human health.
Glucan
Ganoderan
TriterpenoidsTriterpenoids are the main cause of Lingzhi (Reishi)'s bitter taste. To date more than 200 triterpenoids have been isolated from Lingzhi (Reishi). While other plants also contain triterpenoids, Lingzhi (Reishi)'s triterpenoids (known as "Lingzhi (Reishi) acids") are unique and not found in other plants.
Ganoderic acidLucidenic acidGanodermic acid
ProteinsLing Zhi-8: Discovered in 1989, this molecular protein found in Lingzhi (Reishi) can regulate the human immune system. It is now known that the molecular weight (15,000~29,000) and amino acid composition of this protein are similar to those of a human immunoglobulin, so it certainly possess an immune function.
Glycoprotein
Nucleic Acid DerivativesRNAAdenosine:Adenosine is the main substance found in Lingzhi (Reishi) capable of suppressing the coagulation of platelets in the blood, and thus preventing the formation of embolisms. Adenosine is also one of the molecules the body uses to transmit genetic information. The other nucleic acids adenine, uracil, and RNA also possess important physiological activity.Adenine,,Uracil
ElementsCa, K, Ge, P and Mg