Orthomolecular

Compounds and Medicinal Mushrooms questions

Give two food sources of Alpha Lipoic Acid, describe two mechanisms of action and
name two conditions it may be useful in (3 marks)

( 1⁄2 mark for each correct answer)
• Sources – red meat, spinach and broccoli, organ meats, brussels sprouts, yams,
carrots, beets, yeast
• Mechanisms
• Exogenous – antioxidant and scavenge free radicals
• Endogenous – co-enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism and in
the mitochondrial citric acid cycle which produces ATP.
• May suppress inflammation
• Can regenerate antioxidants – Vit E, C, Glutathione and CoQ10
• Chelate Copper, Lead, Zinc and Manganese Conditions
• Diabetes
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Weight loss
• Alzheimers disease

List THREE of the most reliable vegetarian sources of alpha lipoic acid (3 marks)

spinach, broccoli, Brussel’s sprouts, yams, carrots, beets, yeast (1 mark each, max 3
marks).

Describe the solubility of Alpha lipoic acid? (2)

11. Describe two therapeutic uses of cordyceps (2 marks) ( 1⁄2 mark for condition,
1⁄2 mark for mechanism)
Cancer – stimulate immune function by increasing number of T helper
cells, increasing NK cell activity and prolonging survival of lymphocytes. May
bew cytotoxic
Cardiovascular health – anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, inhibit platelet aggregation,
lower BP and anti-arrhthmic
Fertility – both male and female
Kidney Health – reduce risk of renal toxicity from cyclosporin and be beneficial in
renal failure
Liver protective – can improve liver function in chronic Hep B




Discuss the role of β glucans in immunity ,and outline some of the therapeutics uses
of Reishi (15 marks)

• In medicinal mushrooms most β-glucans contain other sugars (and so are
hetero β- glucans) and also have bound protein components (proteoglycans).

• The terms polysaccharides, proteoglycans and β-glucans are used

interchangeably in commercial literature.
• β-glucans act on several immune receptors and can trigger groups of immune
cells including macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells and
dendritic cells.
• Both innate and adaptive immune responses can be modulated by β-glucans
and they can also enhance phagocytosis.
• The following slides offer a brief introduction into the fascinating and broad
area of medicinal mushrooms.
• Reishi has demonstrated a wide range of therapeutic properties including:
• Anti-tumour - a-glucan and triterpenes are suspected to have antitumor
activity.
• Immuno-stimulating.
• Anti-histamine – stabilises mast cells.
• Anti-cancer - inhibit proliferation of several cancer cell lines, cytotoxic activity,
can also inhibit tumour angiogenesis.
• Liver supporting - reishi polysaccharides from reishi mushroom stimulate
detoxification enzymes.
• Insomnia - the triterpenes in reishi have a sedative action.
• Stress – adaptagen, normalises HPA axis function.
• Anti-viral - activity against HIV and herpes simplex


7. What are THREE mechanisms of action of glucosamine for musculoskeletal health
(3 marks)
(1 mark each for a maximum of THREE marks)
In osteoarthritis, glucosamine stimulates metabolism of chondrocytes (cells) in the
articular cartilage and of synovial cells in the synovial tissues.
Glucosamine appears to inhibit production of mediators of inflammation, including
cytokines, and cartilage degradation.
Glucosamine might increase the absorption of sulphate; glucosamine sulphate
increases serum and synovial sulphate levels.
Sulphate is required for articular cartilage glycosaminoglycan synthesis.





8. Name FOUR therapeutic actions of Reishi (2 marks)
( 1⁄2 mark for each action - Maximum TWO marks)
Anti-tumour
Immuno-stimulating.
Anti-histamine
Anti-cancer
Liver supporting
• Insomnia • Stress • Anti-viral