When developing new products Adagio Naturals does a great deal of research and we are very excited with this new line – the Birch Ridge Collection.  We have incorporated the strongest antioxidant in the natural world - the Chaga mushroom – “aka” king of the mushrooms into our new line.  All our Chaga products use Health Canada approved Organic Chaga which is sustainably harvested from deep in the pristine forests of Northern Ontario.  Free from heavy metals and pesticides.

 

The Chaga mushroom grows on birch trees throughout the northern hemisphere. It forms as a result of an injury and it is nature’s way of healing itself by forming a protective growth.  It has been around for 1000s of years and used as a miracle healer but only recently has it gained recognition by Western Medicine.

 

Medical News Today writes:

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Doctors, alternative medicine advocates, and researchers are increasingly interested in the potential health benefits of the Chaga mushroom. Some studies have yielded promising results.

 

Nutrient-dense superfood

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Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:

 B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, potassium, rubidium, cesium, amino acids, fiber, copper, selenium, zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium and calcium.

 

Slows the aging process

 

Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin. In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.  Although no research has conclusively linked Chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.

 

Lowers cholesterol

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Chaga mushrooms contain many antioxidants that may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called "bad" cholesterol. High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so Chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

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Prevents and fights cancer

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Some studies suggest that Chaga mushrooms may slow the growth of certain cancer cells. Increasingly, researchers are taking seriously the possibility that Chaga mushrooms may be able to prevent cancer and slow its growth.  Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems.

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A 2010 study found that Chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that Chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.

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A 2009 study found that triterpenes, the compounds found in Chaga and some other mushrooms, cause tumor cells to self-destruct. Unlike other cancer treatments, however, Chaga does not appear to harm healthy cells.

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Although other studies have found similarly promising results, they have all been carried out on animals or in a laboratory. To prove the anti-cancer benefits of Chaga conclusively, researchers will need to conduct extensive studies on humans.

 

Lowers blood pressure

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​Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor for high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health issues.

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Chaga's antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.

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Supports the immune system

 

Cytokines are the immune system's chemical messengers. They are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system's first line of defense against a range of illnesses.

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Some research on mice suggests that Chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with one another. This could help fight infections, from minor colds to life-threatening illnesses.

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Fights inflammation

 

When the body is fighting an illness, inflammation supports the fight. But sometimes, inflammation transitions from a short-term attack to a chronic health problem.

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Some illnesses, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to inflammation. Recent research suggests that some conditions that are not considered inflammatory, including depression, may be partly due to chronic inflammation.

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Chaga's role in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for Chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases.

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Lowers blood sugar

 

Chaga might also have a role in the fight against diabetes. A 2006 study found that Chaga mushrooms could lower blood sugar in rats. The rodents were genetically modified to have diabetes and to be obese. After eating Chaga mushrooms for 8 weeks, their blood sugar levels were lower.

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Though no research has been done on humans yet, this suggests that Chaga might contribute to an alternative treatment for diabetes in the future.

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Prevents drug side effects

 

Research is still in its infancy, but if Chaga proves effective at fighting illnesses such as cancer and arthritis, it could be an alternative to traditional treatments.

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Treating people with Chaga mushrooms could prevent them from experiencing the side effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various medications prescribed for chronic illnesses.