Depictions of mushrooms, in hieroglyphics, date back some 4,600 years. They were prized by the pharaohs in Egypt and believed to 
possess properties of immortality. Mushrooms are low in calories, high in fiber, low in cholesterol and low in sodium. They have their own taste category umami. Ancient civilizations never cultivated mushrooms but allowed them to grow in the wild. Skilled persons knew the difference between edible as opposed to poisonous. Many met their intentional demise via poisonous mushrooms such as the roman emperor Claudius. Ancient Asian civilizations believed mushrooms supported health by strengthening the immune system, in particular shiitake and maitake varieties. Mushrooms lack color, roots, leaves and seeds and are classified as fungi which is why so many people do not find them a desirable meal choice. They are extremely high in selenium, iron, copper, potassium, and niacin. In spite of the fact that they are grown in the dark, mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D (sunshine vitamin) and this vitamin is increased if mushrooms are left in the sun for even 5 minutes before use. There are now so many different types of exotic mushrooms- heishi, cordyceps, turkey tail etc. but even the common white button mushrooms are now believed to hold strong properties that can benefit the immune system. Try exploring the different taste sensations whether you incorporate them in soups, sauces or with other vegetables. My favorite is with breadcrumb stuffing.
Category: Medical World
Maybe it’s not so bad being a “Snotnose”
The word “mucus” conjures up a repulsive feeling. Most people are only aware of it when they have a cold or cough. However, mucus plays an important part in fighting infection, swallowing, digesting, disarming harmful bacteria, and in shaping our gut
microbiome. Consisting of 95% water it lines every wet area of the body. Everything from your nose to your intestinal tract, to your lungs, to your urogenital tract etc. are coated with this important substance. The proteins and sugars that make up mucus allow it to stretch and form a thin mesh structure allowing it to protect large areas of the body. Mucus allows for us to smell and taste our food, keeps our eyes and throat from drying out, prevents the stomach lining from eroding due to acidic foods, and allows for sperm to swim and fertilize an egg. In binding with bacteria, viruses, and pollutants, mucus is responsible for reducing the rate of inflammation by ushering these pathogens out of the body. Scientists are doing research to understand how mucus works and why in some cases it is overproduced causing some distressing problems. By extracting and studying human mucus and then infecting these samples with bacteria, researchers may be able to reproduce mucus artificially. If so, they may be able to prevent the bacteria that causes strep throat and cholera as well as fighting the fungus that is responsible for yeast infections.
https://asm.org/articles/2024/february/why-mucus-phlegm-matter-health-disease
https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/what-to-know-about-mucus
Yogis and Masseuses Learn Using a Scalpel…
Thousands of fitness professionals are joining cadaver workshops to understand how better to help their clients. By understanding anatomy, they are hoping to improve their
teaching skills. Although these professionals must be certified in anatomy, most of the education has been with plastic models or with two dimensional drawings. The bodies have all been donated by families who are hoping to further medical knowledge. Some courses only work with body parts while others dissect a complete body. Before any dissection takes place, the students are advised to give the corpse a name as a recognition of their humanity. There are many who disagree with human dissections. Their reasoning is that there are good virtual programs available. Participants disagree and say the feel of human tissue can promote better understanding and in turn will enable them to provide more compassionate care. The cadavers used have been “soft embalmed” a technique which preserves color of tissue. Programs can range from $1200 for a weekend workshop to $4500 for a week. Pilate instructors, message therapists, personal trainers and yoga instructors have all said that understanding the complexity of the human body helps them better treat someone who has been injured. Some even felt that they might not have given the best information or treatment to a particular client before they had participated in the program.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/13/well/move/cadaver-workshops-yoga-massage-therapy.html
Physical Therapy Before an Injury…
Working with a good physical therapist can be beneficial in avoiding months of inactivity or even in some cases surgery. Should you seek Physical Therapy before a serious injury occurs? These therapists are miracle workers after surgery or a serious sports injury, but they can also help with strengthening parts of the body that may 
become future injuries due to certain activities. Prehab (preventive physical therapy) is now recommended by many physicians who work especially with athletes. They can foresee a future injury and recommend PT as a part of their training routine to stay ahead of what may be a debilitating injury. An experienced physical therapist will be able to advise you on where a certain feeling of discomfort is originating. For example, knee pain may need to be treated by strength exercises relating from the ankle or hip. If you have a nagging injury such as chronic tendonitis it may be helpful to work with a physical therapist who can give you strength and mobility exercises. Prehab before surgery can also speed up the recovery process afterwards. Word of mouth from those involved in the same activities is one of the best ways to seek out a PT. Many are specialized and work with certain injuries. Come prepared for your first appointment with a list of specific ailments to give as clear a picture as possible. Be ready to do home exercises as part of a successful recovery.
https://www.hss.edu/article_what-is-prehab.asphttps://www.reloadpt.com/pain-management/how-prehab-physical-therapy-can-help-athletes-prevent-injuries-4