Good Morning! 🌞

On this day, 120 years ago the New York City subway opened, becoming one of the largest and oldest public transit systems in the world!

Very surprising that it is that old!!

Health Sciences

Medicinal Mushroom

An updated review highlights the impressive medicinal properties of chaga, a fungus native to Siberia, emphasizing its role in functional medicine. This review consolidates both historical and recent research, identifying chaga's anticancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulating effects.

Food vs. Medicine
As noted by World at Large, the line between food and medicine is often blurred. Many diseases are linked to nutrient deficiencies, including bone cancer and sepsis. While people may not immediately consider food for relief from conditions like migraines or eczema, deficiencies in certain micronutrients can contribute to these issues.

Nutraceuticals and Mushrooms
Nutraceuticals, or "functional foods," are gaining traction for their health benefits, and mushrooms fall into this category. Chaga, specifically, is a white rot fungus that grows on trees rather than in soil. Found in North America, Siberia, and Scandinavia, it has a long history of medicinal use, often prepared as tea for treating inflammation and cancer.

Key Compounds
Chaga is rich in polyphenols and triterpenes, which are plant compounds known for their medicinal properties. These include:

• Betulinic acid

• Ergosterol peroxides

• Caffeic acid

Like all mushrooms, chaga contains beta-glucans, a type of fiber unique to fungi. Beta-glucans are beneficial for immune health, help prevent certain cancers, and strengthen the gut lining, protecting against pathogens.

Anticancer Properties
Chaga also contains betulin and betulinic acid, derived from birch trees. Betulin has anticancer properties and promotes wound healing, while betulinic acid is recognized for its anti-malarial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds are particularly effective against skin inflammation and various skin cancers.
The review emphasizes chaga's anticancer potential, with triterpenoids like inotodiol and ergosterol peroxide showing promise in inducing cancer cell death and inhibiting tumor growth. Laboratory studies have shown that water extracts of chaga can exhibit anticancer activity against melanoma cells.

Supplement Caution
While chaga is among the most researched health-promoting fungi, it is often consumed as a supplement due to its limited availability in the wild. Caution is advised when selecting chaga supplements, as the market can be filled with misleading products. It’s crucial to choose supplements made primarily from the actual fungus rather than from mycelium.

Culture

Chick-fil-A Fulfills Bucket List

A Chick-fil-A in Houston recently took exceptional measures to fulfill a terminally ill regular’s bucket list wish.

Bill and Becky had set a goal 20 years ago to visit every state capital, but they never managed to make it to Juneau, Alaska. With Bill now facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, the couple accepted that this dream would likely remain unfulfilled.
However, when the Springwoods Village Chick-fil-A learned about Bill's situation, they reached out to a location in Juneau to create a special experience for the couple.
“Bill and Becky are valued members of our community, and we wanted to help them complete their bucket list,” said Mike Magdaleno, the local Chick-fil-A owner-operator. “It was rewarding to connect two locations for this special initiative.”
The Juneau Chick-fil-A team obtained a photo from Bill and Becky’s wedding, created a cardboard cutout, and placed it at various iconic spots in Juneau, including the state capitol building and Mendenhall Glacier. An artist used the wedding photo as inspiration to create a drawing of the couple at the glacier. These photos were compiled into a scrapbook, which was sent to the Houston location along with some souvenirs.

Additionally, team members in Juneau signed Bill and Becky’s names in the capitol building’s visitor log. According to Lone Star Live, the couple, who met in 1972 at a telephone company, has five children, 17 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Environment

‘Leave the Leaves’

A wildlife conservation group is urging Americans to stop raking leaves this year as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the ecological benefits of leaf litter for various native wildlife, plants, and fungi.

Removing leaves eliminates essential habitats and food sources for many species that thrive in American lawns. According to the National Wildlife Federation, which promotes the Leave the Leaves Pledge, “Songbirds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles all rely on the leaf layer in some way.” Leaf litter also provides shelter for butterflies, moths, and fireflies during winter, while some insects feed on decomposing leaves.
To manage fallen leaves without completely removing them, the National Wildlife Federation offers practical tips. Rake leaves away from grassy areas to prevent damage and reduce slipping hazards. Instead, add them to garden beds to benefit overwintering wildlife, suppress weeds, and enrich the soil.

Excess leaves can be placed under native trees, creating habitat for wildlife like caterpillars and providing shelter for birds and mammals. Any remaining leaves can be piled in a corner of the garden to decompose into compost for future use.
In addition to leaves, consider leaving logs and stems in your yard. Many insects, including native bees, use hollow flower stems and decaying logs for overwintering. You can also create an ‘insect hotel’ by stacking branches and logs into a natural structure, keeping your yard tidy while enhancing habitat for beneficial insects.

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I row with four paddles but never leave home.

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