Introduction
Mushrooms are a flavorful and nutritious food. Good sources of B-Vitamins: Thiamine, Riboflavin and Niacin. They contain all the essential amino acids. Mushrooms have also been used for thousands of years as some of the most effective, yet benign, of many plants that formed the oriental herbal tradition. Garuda International offers many species of the highest quality mushroom extract powders available in the world today. All are certified organically grown and some have standardized levels of active compounds. These are perfect powdered materials for formulating dietary supplements and natural cosmetics.

In Japan, there is probably no food as popular as the tree mushroom called Shiitake (Lentinula edodes). This flavorful mushroom is a mainstay in the Japanese diet and is highly regarded for its nutritional qualities. Shiitake contains 18 amino acids including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains over 30 different enzymes. One unique amino acid, called Eritadenine. The second most popular edible mushroom worldwide, Shiitake extracts define nutraceuticals - foods with positive health benefits. Polysaccharides and a compound called eritadenine are responsible for the effects of the shiitake mushroom. Shiitake is rich in B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, and niacin and in its sun dried form it is one of the few foods with high levels of Vitamin D. The polysaccharides in Shiitake have beneficial properties and are considered central to Shiitake's role as an immune-system adjuvent. One isolated compound is called lentinan. There has been a considerable amount of research conducted on Shiitake in the last twenty years to elucidate its role as a health food. It has antiviral properties, including the ability to help prevent influenza. Other studies have demonstrated Shiitake's ability to induce interferon production in the human body. It is clear that Shiitake is truly a beneficial plant that offers a natural avenue to better health. Clinical studies have shown that certain forms of Shiitake are more effective than others. Eating freshly cooked mushrooms, while nutritious and flavorful, would require too great a quantity to gain the true health benefits. Dried mushrooms are more concentrated, yet the chitinous cell walls are still not fully available to human digestion. Grinding the mushrooms to a fine powder and making a water decoction is one effective way of extracting Shiitake's healthful properties.

Benefits
The proteins in shiitake are composed of 18 types of amino acids, including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids in a ratio similar to the ideal protein for humans. Of these amino acids, shiitake is especially rich in leucine and lysine, which are deficient in many grains. For people on a vegetarian diet, Shiitake represents an excellent protein supplement. Shiitake is also rich in enzymes. In fact, researchers have found over 30 enzymes in Shiitake. Two of particular note are amylase, important for proper digestion, and cellulase, which dissolves fiber. The wealth of enzymes in Shiitake can help to reinforce deficiencies of these important compounds and thereby improve digestion. Shiitake contains significant quantities of the B Vitamins Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin. In its sun dried form it has the highest content of Vitamin D of any plant food. Only in fish, fowl, meat and eggs are higher levels of Vitamin D found.

Advantages
In the 1970’s the Japanese mushroom industry supported extensive research into the nutritional and medicinal properties of Shiitake. The scientist Goro Chihara fractionated Shiitake polysaccharides and named the most active fraction lentinan, a pure beta-1-3-glucan. This compound was developed into a drug that has been utilized as a complement to traditional medical practices in Japanese oncology.

Quality Assurance
Mushroom extracts can be considered some of the first nutraceuticals - food concentrated into medicinal form. Garuda's extracts are carefully produced according to cGMP standards from select raw materials. Many of our extracts are standardized to contain guaranteed levels of active compounds.

Applications
Shiitake extract is a premier nutraceutical that can be used in many different ways. It can be used as a nutritional supplement, in a supplement blend, or added to any number of herbal formulas. It is also a highly flavorful addition to dried soups or tonic drinks. This is a very versatile product. Capsules, tablets, formulations, foods, soups. Shiitake extract is a premier nutraceutical that can be used in many different ways. It can be used as a nutritional supplement, in a supplement blend, or added to any number of herbal formulas. It is also a highly flavorful addition to dried soups or tonic drinks. This is a very versatile product.

References
Aoki, T. 1984. Lentinan. In Immune Modulation Agents and Their Mechanisms. R.L. Fenichel and M. A. Chirgis, eds. Immunology Studies. 25:62-77., Bo, L. and Bau Yun-sun. 1980. Fungi Pharmacopoeia (Sinica). Oakland: Kinoko Co., Chang, H.M. and P. Pui-Hay But. 1987. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica. Vol. 2. Singapore: World Scientific., Chang, H.M., ed. et al. 1984. Advances in Chinese Medicinal Materials Research. Singapore: World Scientific., Huidi, F. and W. Zhiyuan. 1982. The clinical effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore preparations in 10 cases of atrophic myotonia. J. Trad. Chin. Med. 2:63-65.,Miller, D. 1994. Current clinical protocol submitted to the N.I.H. Scientific Director Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, Arlington Heights, IL.,Nanba, H. 1994a. Power of maitake mushroom. Explore Professional (in press)., Nanba, H. 1994b. Activity of maitake D-fraction to prevent cancer growth and metastasis. J. Naturopathic Med. (In press)., Opletal, L. 1993. Phytotherapeutic aspects of diseases of the circulatory system. 2. The oyster mushroom and its potential use. Cesk. Farm. 42:160-166., Sharon, T.M. 1988. Personal Observations: Lentinus edodes (shiitake) mycelial extract. Typescript., Willard, T. 1990. Reishi Mushroom. Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder. Issaquah: Sylvan Press., Yang, Q.Y. & S.C. Jong. 1989. Medicinal mushroom in China. Mushroom Science. XII. (Part I): 631-643. Proceeding of the Twelft International Congress on the Science and Cultivation of Edible Fungi. From K. Grabbe and O. Hilber (eds.). Braunschweig - Germany: Institue fr Bodenbiologie, Bundesforschungsanstolt fr Londwirtschoft., Ying, J. et al. 1987. Icones of Medicinal Fungi From China. Translated by X. Yuehan. Beijing: Science Press., Yoshioka, Y. et al. 1973. Studies on antiumor polysaccharides of Flammulina velutipes (Curt. ex Fr.) Sing. I. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 21:1772-1776.