Mushrooms been used medicinally for for thousands of years. Which varieties are the most beneficial? Mushrooms been used medicinally for for thousands of years. They can help boost your immune system, fight off viruses and bacteria, and are beneficial in cancer prevention, protection and treatment. Some mushrooms are used medicinally to ease menopause symptoms. And, they can boost your stores of vitamin D.The variety matters, however. According to special guest, Dr. Patrick Fratellone, regular white button mushrooms do not have as many health attributes as shiitake mushrooms or chaga mushrooms. You can realize these benefits either by eating the mushrooms or taking supplements (or both). It's important to purchase from a reputable company; one that uses organic mushrooms which have been grown in clean soil (no metals). To get the most out of your mushroom regimen, you should be eating at least two ounces every day. The best way to prepare them is to steam or lightly saute, because you don't want to cook out all of the nutrient properties. You also shouldn't eat mushrooms raw, as there are some alkaloids in raw mushrooms that can have negative health effects. If you're thinking about heading out into the wild to pick your own, you must be very careful to choose the non-poisonous varieties. There are plenty of mushroom guides available to get you started. And, in certain cities, you can take a community course on mushrooms. Mushrooms can also be beneficial for the environment. Listen in as Dr. Fratellone joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about the tremendous health benefits of mushrooms, as well as ways you can start implementing these health powerhouses into your daily diet.