FOOD AS MEDICINE: Mushrooms are high in Vit D (and don't forget to sunbathe your mushrooms so the Vit D can increase) and the very important immune minerals selenium, zinc, and manganese that are required for the proper functioning of the enzyme superoxide dismutase. The glucans and heterogalactans in mushrooms are known to function in an anti-inflammatory capacity by inhibiting the activity of enzymes like cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). They are also known to help reduce inflammatory cell signaling and can help to stimulate immune function, especially within our digestive tract.