Bio-actives and Compounds
Chaga and Bio-Actives
(Chromogenic Polyphenol Complex):
Diverse compounds found only in Chaga
High quality Chaga mushroom extracts are standardized for one or more of these bio-active compounds, especially the potent, immuno-stimulatory polysaccharide compounds.
Nowadays, the presence or absence of these bio-actives can be easily determined by using standardized common laboratory procedures such as Megazyme®, spectrography and HPLC.
Beta-glucans
including: Proteoglycans; glucans linked to proteins. Beta-d-glucans have the ability to modulate the immune system and help to normalize cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Beta-d-glucans activate the body’s immune response, creating a strong protective mechanism against viruses, bacteria, carcinogens and fungi. Beta-d-glucans are the potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.
Triterpenes
Such as: Betulinic acid, lanosterol and inotodiol. Betulinic acid is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid and its derivatives exhibit anti-inflammatory, antitumor and anti-HIV activity. At present, research is actively being carried out on betulinic acid in regards to anticancer activity. It is known that betulinic acid has an anti-proliferative effect on breast cancer cells, mainly by inhibiting cyclin expression and topoisomerase, which leads to the cell cycle’s blockage.
Phytosterols
Are a group of natural compounds that have been detected in plant cell membranes. Since phytosterols are structurally similar to cholesterol, during the administration of chaga, it competes with cholesterol. As a result, the absorption of cholesterol is blocked, and the cholesterol level in the blood decreases. Among all the phytosterols presented in chaga, 45% is Lanosterin, 25% is Inotodiols, and the remaining 30% is Ergosterol, Fecosterol and others. Scientific Tests have demonstrated the direct effects of Lanosterol and Inotodiols on cancer cells, while Lanosterin also has a positive effect on viral compounds.
Organic Acids
Including oxalic, acetic, vanillin, lilac, glue and inonotonic. They are organic substances that exhibit acidic properties and directly involved in digestive processes as well as in energy metabolism. They activate intestinal peristalsis, and also slow down the development of putrefactive bacteria and fermentation processes in the large intestine. The concentration of organic acids in the human body reflects the level of mitochondria’s functioning, the oxidation of fatty acids, and the metabolism of carbohydrates. In addition, compounds promote the spontaneous recovery of blood’s acid-base balance.
Flavonoids
are a group of prevalent biologically active compounds in higher plants. Flavonoids, when isolated from melanin chaga, cause anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and diuretic action, which removes toxins from the body.
Agaricin & humic-like chugging acids
The hepato-protective properties of chaga are expressed due to the composition of agaricin and humic-like chaga acids, which repair damaged liver cells.
Pterins
Have a cytostatic (i.e. antitumor) effect on the body, keeping tumor growth in check and slowing down the development of metastases. Pterins, as one of the main biologically active substances of chaga, restores the organism’s working capacity and improves overall health.
Polysaccharides
Are found in its chitinous walls. Chaga contains structural polysaccharides that potently activate & stimulate the immune system, provide energy, ensure the health of the cardiovascular system, intestines and liver, and normalize blood sugar levels.
Polyphenols
Including: Melanin and other anti-oxidant compounds are very strongly anti-oxidant, anti-aging compounds which improve the health of the vascular and cardiovascular system. Apart from the above, Chaga also contains a wide spectrum of micro and trace elements such as copper, barium, zinc, iron, silicon, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and also some vitamins. A recent discovery is lignin-like substances showing bioactivity. (It shows that only ± 10% of the Chaga conk is actual fungal material; the rest is decaying wood; lignin = wood).
Cellulose Fiber
Is the part of the plant food structure not digested by the digestive enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract, but that is processed by the symbiotic micro flora of the large intestine. Dietary fiber reduces the time it takes for food to pass through the digestive tract, helping to cleanse the body. It turns out that this is a very important property given modern tendencies towards the increasing number of people who are overweight and with dysbiosis.