Author name: Buffalo Latino Village

MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS

In this edition, I hope to educate and inform about medicinal mushrooms, specifically about lion’s mane mushrooms. Lion’s mane mushrooms, also known as Hericium erinaceus, hou tou gu or yamabushitake, have both culinary and medicinal uses in Asian countries like China, India, Japan, and Korea. They have been used for centuries as medicine.  Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane as they grow. They contain bioactive substances that have many beneficial effects on the body, especially the brain, heart, and gut. Consuming lion’s mane mushrooms could protect against dementia. The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning worsens in many older adults. Scientific studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacine. Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss. In fact, lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, as well as prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease. A 2020 study of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion’s mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared to a placebo. The ability of lion’s mane mushroom to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from Alzheimer-related damage may explain some of its beneficial effects on brain health. However, it’s important to note that most of the research has been conducted on animals or in test tubes.  Lion’s mane mushrooms contain compounds that stimulate brain cell growth and protect them from damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research involving humans is needed. Other scientific studies suggest that lion’s mane mushrooms may help relieve mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. Rat studies have found that lion’s mane extract can speed up recovery from nervous system injuries. Further, lion’s mane extract has been shown to protect against stomach and intestinal ulcers in rodents.  Animal and test-tube studies suggest that lion’s mane extract can reduce the risk of heart disease in several ways.  In addition, these mushrooms contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce the impact of chronic illness. Research shows that lion’s mane mushroom can boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose.  The immune-boosting effects of lion’s mane mushrooms are very promising, but this research area is still developing.  Lion’s mane mushroom can help lower blood sugar and reduce diabetic nerve pain. Some research suggests that the lion’s mane mushroom has cancer-fighting abilities thanks to several of its unique compounds. Also, more research is needed on humans to better understand the above correlations. While the use of lion’s mane mushrooms may reap many benefits if you include them in your diet, one should never embark on a medicinal adventure without consulting a physician.  Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS October 4, 2023/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More CALL FOR ARTISTS! July 1, 2023/No CommentsRead More UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA June 5, 2023/No Comments In contemporary society, we hear the term PTSD for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder very often. This is the new buzzword or… Read More Load More End of Content.

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LEADING WITH LOVE THROUGH DANCE

Thinking of the first time I met this fantastic human – my first thought was that she looked like she Loved what she was doing! A few days after my son, Asheem, was in the Fashion Show for El Batey fundraising in November 2022, someone asked me if my son would be interested in auditioning for a dance company. They told me the time, date, and location of where to show up and to ask for MarCe Zerrate. We showed up, and they warmly greeted us and invited Asheem on stage. There are a few other dancers there as well. They are there for a little under 2 hours dancing to different music as she encourages my calling out: ‘Essssooo!’ She’d play the song and then helps them adjust for positions on stage and choreographic adjustments.  At the end, I asked her how she thought he did, and she said, “He did an amazing job!” She gave me the next time that they would come together. I asked her if that meant he was accepted. She looked confused. I explained that I was told he was auditioning. And she says, “Ohhhh, yeah, well, he’s got the part! I Loved him! So bring him Friday!” We all laughed together!   Her dance company, Amor and Heritage, was gearing up to dance for an “Encanto” themed performance where everything was being pre-recorded! It was a fantastic experience for everyone!  Since then, MarCe has invited Asheem to perform multiple times, and he even participated in the Summer Camp at Buffalo State College this year. Each time I see her, she’s always positive and smiling no matter what’s going on around her. She encourages the children to do their absolute best lovingly.   During the Summer Camp, I saw her infused dancing with Love of One’s Heritage. Every week, the children explored different dances from around the world. Older youth and adult instructors would teach the dances from their cultural backgrounds. MarCe would explain when the dance was popular, what the songs were about, where the dance style was from, and what if any, other countries had adaptations of that dance style!  Also, each week, they would get stickers representing different countries/territories to put in a passport-style booklet where they would add a unique thing about that country. The children eagerly awaited their stickers and were glad to report what additional facts they learned from that country the following week!   MarCe Zerrate and Amor and Heritage Dance is on track to achieve its mission to promote Diversity, Multiculturalism, and Kindness through DANCE!   The educational component fosters tolerance, understanding of other cultures, self-confidence, sharing kindness, and staying healthy. All this through the fun, exciting, and diverse world of dance!  If you would like to experience all the love offered by Amor and Heritage Dance firsthand, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram or contact them on their website: www.amorandheritage.org.  Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports LEADING WITH LOVE THROUGH DANCE October 4, 2023/No CommentsRead More “UNAPOLOGETICALLY & UNCOMPROMISING” July 10, 2023/No Comments This month I am shining the spotlight on a woman whom I met a few years ago. When I met… Read More “MAKE LOVE HAPPEN!” June 7, 2023/No Comments As Juneteenth is quickly approaching, I decided to feature Jomo Akono. I have known him for over 15 years. He… Read More Load More End of Content.

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ROBERTO QUINTANA! SETTING THE RECORD

“He who is without sin can cast the first stone.” The other day, I was thinking about Roberto Quintana and the history of his political involvement, including his descent from public service. I don’t have to go much into describing who he is as he is well known and recognized in the political and community arena. I became interested in Roberto Quintana when I got involved in his run for the assembly seat several years ago against the son of the Niagara District Councilman, David Rivera. I had an opportunity to get to know him, and I must admit, he has what the other Puerto Rican/Latino elected officials or community leaders do not have. He has charisma, personality, and an agenda for the growth and development of the community if provided the opportunity. I experienced the good and the ugly, the political system, or status quo went into the past and threw everything at him. They ganged up on him – bringing his past to life, the present. They were afraid of him and could not take a chance and allow him to come back to elected office. Regardless of his misdeeds, that was the past, and he should have been allowed to redeem himself. What happened to the concept of a “second chance.”  People need to read their bible.  Living in the community from 1970 to 1985, and from 2012 to the present, I know of the crimes committed by some of our leaders, but they have been well protected due to politics. If one did their research, you would find some of the hidden treasures. The political system gave them a “second chance.” Quintana deserves the same; he is a gift to our community. As an elected official, our community would regain the essential tools needed for the growth and development of our people – character, energy, imagination, and creativity.   Quintana will put our Puerto Rican/Latino community on the map. He does not take orders; he gives orders! He is progressive, independent, and has a strong character to represent the West Side, and with GANAS!  We all, or many of us, have done something in our lives that we are ashamed of, but we did not get caught. We were the lucky ones! Think about that when you criticize Quintana. Karna has a way of calling things to your attention. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports ROBERTO QUINTANA! SETTING THE RECORD October 4, 2023/No Comments “He who is without sin can cast the first stone.” The other day, I was thinking about Roberto Quintana and the history of… Read More  A COMMUNITY GIFT OR A TROJAN HORSE?  October 3, 2023/No Comments This past month, on Friday, September 15th, the beginning of what has become known as “Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15… Read More LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada,… Read More Load More End of Content.

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