35. Harnessing Medicinal Fungi: The Key to Reducing Inflammation and Boosting Immunity with Dr. Robert Rountree

What you eat and drink determines how you feel—and can inform your ability to develop or ward off chronic disease. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Robert Rountree, a leading expert in integrative and personalized medicine. We sat down to discuss how an inflammatory diet is linked to chronic disease, the health benefits of medicinal fungi, and which types you should start incorporating into your daily wellness routine. In this episode, you'll discover: The Role of Inflammation in Chronic Diseases: If you regularly consume inflammatory foods and beverages (think: high-sugar, high-carb, and overly processed), you run the risk of setting inflammation in the body in motion, says Dr. Rountree, adding, "The problem is, it doesn't always turn off." And inflammation is the precursor to virtually all chronic diseases. The Power of Medicinal Fungi: Training your immune system is possible, according to Dr. Rountree, and medicinal fungi can help strengthen it to combat a wide range of infections. "The first rule is to eat as many of the ones you like as you can," he shares, citing lion's mane, shiitake, oyster, and king trumpet as the best mushrooms to cook with.  Mushroom Varieties and Their Benefits: Different mushrooms have different benefits. Cordyceps can help with adrenal and kidney support, reishi is known as "the elixir of immortality" can help support stamina, while coriolus (also known as turkey tail) can help combat cancer. Go ahead and have your pick of the harvest—you can't go wrong with any of them. 09:55 The Role of Inflammation in Chronic Diseases 13:51 Understanding Inflammation and Diet 24:47 Solutions: Mushrooms and Medicinal Fungi 30:51 Understanding Trained Immunity 31:06 Clinical Insights on S. Boulardii 32:17 Medicinal Mushrooms and Beta Glucans 33:53 Mushroom Varieties and Their Benefits 38:16 Cordyceps: The Ancient Remedy 39:55 Reishi and Other Medicinal Mushrooms 49:35 Immune Plasticity and Nutritional Support Episode mentioned with Dr. Jeffrey Bland: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KXcZpmbCf8srG1J6ZK1To?si=ede8ce173ebd41a0 Connect with Dr. Myers: Website: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ec/guide-to-leaky-gut Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMyersMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymyersmd/ Connect with Dr. Rountree: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-rountree-md-2802198/ Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM): https://www.ifm.org/ You may also find Dr. Rountree at his Boulder Wellcare clinic in Colorado (USA).