Chinese mushroom may thwart cancer.

• Position: Pharmaceuticals

For centuries, it has been common knowledge that Asians have one of the longest life expectancies in the world and, for decades, researchers have been looking for the reasons behind that phenomenon. Many believe the secret lies in their diet, which consists largely of fish, poultry, and the vegetables grown in the region, but Nathalie Valkov, author of Cordyceps: Treating Diabetes, Cancer and Other Illnesses, believes the secret lies in an Asian herb that is just now getting noticed by Western medicine.

"While it certainly is commonly acknowledged that some of the best medical care in the world can be found in the U.S., we have to remember that our medical culture is barely a couple of centuries old. Asian medicine has been around for thousands of years and, since people from the Far East tend to live longer than we do in the West, it's not a stretch to say that there may be some ancient secrets hidden in their diet and medicines that may help us unlock the keys to longevity and good health."

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According to Valkov, Cordyceps--a type of Chinese mushroom--has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries to aid in the treatment of various autoimmune, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other illnesses. "Recent...