Medicinal Properties of Substances Occurring in Higher Basidiomycetes Mushrooms: Current Perspectives

The major cause of death in the Western countries is coronary artery disease. A primary risk factor is hypercholesterolelmia, which contributes to hardening of the arteries. In humans, 50% or more of the total cholesterol is derived from de novo synthesis (Rosenfeld, 1989; Steinberg et al., 1989). Clinical intervention studies have demonstrated the therapeutic importance of correcting the hypercholesterolemia. The initial step in lowering cholesterol is a special diet low in fat and saturated fatty acids and rich in crude fibers.