The potential of edible mushrooms as an unexploited treasure trove, although rarely included in known food guidelines, is highlighted. Their role in shielding people against the side effects of an unhealthy stylish diet is reviewed. Mushrooms complement the human diet with various bioactive molecules not identified or deficient in foodstuffs of plant and animal sources, being considered a functional food for the prevention of several human diseases. Mushrooms have been widely used as medicinal products for more than 2,000 years, but globally the potential field of use of wild mushrooms has been untapped. There is a broad range of edible mushrooms which remain poorly identified or even unreported which is a valuable pool as sources of bioactive compounds for biopharma utilization and new dietary supplements. Some unique elements of mushrooms and their role in preventative healthcare are emphasized, through their positive impact on the immune system. The potential of mushrooms as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, and other health concerns is discussed. Mushrooms incorporate top sources of non-digestible oligosaccharides, and ergothioneine, which humans are unable to synthesize, the later a unique antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory element, with therapeutic potential, approved by world food agencies. The prebiotic activity of mushrooms beneficially affects gut homeostasis performance and the balance of gut microbiota is enhanced. Several recent studies on neurological impact and contribution to the growth of nerve and brain cells are mentioned. Indeed, mushrooms as functional foods' nutraceuticals are presently regarded as next-generation foods, supporting health and wellness, and are promising prophylactic or therapeutic agents.
Health is central to the development of any country. Despite the efforts and goodwill of the United Nations, the goals established have not been successfully achieved and people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continue to strive with the same burdens of poverty, employment, malnutrition or hunger, inequality, environmental crisis, access to energy, conflicts and injustice. All these determinants drawback factors may be cause or consequence of a never-ending cycle with enormous impact on individual and community health. In SSA, policy makers, donors, healthcare providers, and academics have paid less attention to chronic diseases than to acute, communicable diseases. Despite severe dysfunctions, Public Health in this region, distinct from immediate medical services, is now engaged in endless struggles, against pathogens, modelling human behaviors, and searching for financing. Parental education, health and welfare, substandard literacy and language communication, access to material assets and other factors may all affect their ability to interpret hazards and risks in key areas of health and nutrition. While some 70% of deaths in Africa result from infectious and parasitic diseases, mortality rates from chronic diseases are higher in SSA than in other parts of the world. Children and adolescents in SSA in their livelihoods experience slow physical growing, inadequate observation and physical development, and a series of biological impairments that amplifies their risk of non-communicable diseases as they mature. Integrated strategies of sound health leadership and community-adapted initiatives are needed and probably engaged constructively with the private sector. Some ambitious new health goals take longer to achieve, but progress can be achieved in stages.
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