BRATTLEBORO, VT, September 22, 2003—With environmental pollution from dioxins, heavy metals, PCBs, radioactive waste, and the imminent threat of bio-terrorism, we need to re-evaluate our natural heritage of biodiversity. According to Paul Stamets, a.k.a., the “Mushroom Hunter,” the mushroom kingdom could provide vital protection.

“We shouldn’t think that America’s old growth forests are useful only for timber. They’re a national treasure, like our national monuments and parks—and they may save our lives,” says Paul Stamets, developer of New Chapter, Inc.’s Host Defense MycoMedicinals line of fungi-based supplements. “The presence of mushroom species in these endangered habitats has important implications for medicine in treating a wide variety of disease vectors and exposures to chemical toxins. The fungi in our old growth forests have important applications for national defense. Osama Bin Laden and other terrorist groups do not have old growth forests. We do.”

Old growth forests are the end result of successful evolutionary strategies that developed over millions of years, explains Stamets. There is no way these fungi can be here today unless they made some very smart choices on the evolutionary path. Our camaraderie with them and the use of them by our ancestors has had a pivotal influence in the survival of the human species. The fact that they can achieve huge masses—2400 acres in size—is a testament to a highly intelligent and successful evolutionary strategy.

But, mushrooms for national security???

For the last 10 years, Battelle Labs has been looking at novel strategies for decomposing or preventing chemical and biological warfare agents. This research, documented in Jane’s Defense Weekly (August 18, 1999), has included fungi: “Using the living mycelium and the enzymes produced by a variety of proprietary fungal strains cultured from wild species, scientists have demonstrated … wide-area CW/BW decontamination, remediation and detection.” The research strongly suggests that a mycelial compost sheet developed in the lab could effectively and completely decompose sarin, soman and the VX family of compounds. The research also “demonstrated the system could be tailored to deploy for safe and non-caustic decontamination of equipment, personnel and structures.”

According to Stamets, the Host Defense formula by New Chapter comprises16 different mushroom species that are supported by scientific literature as well as an extensive history of traditional use. It was developed to provide a broad immune shield against a myriad of bacterial and viral vectors. “The formula works in three way,” says Stamets. “It enhances generalized immunity through direct anti-microbial activity, stimulates the immune system (natural killer cells and macrophage enhancement), and increases antioxidant ability to stave off or ameliorate free radical damage from toxic agents.”

“The mushroom mycelium is only one cell wall thick,” he explains. “The membrane secretes enzymes that decompose large plant fibers and break them into simpler forms. They also produce antibiotics to stave off infections. There are suites of enzymes that are unique to mushroom species with some crossovers. Mushrooms resist rot. They develop strong defenses against parasites and viruses. That’s why they are great candidates for medical and environmental applications,” he says. “This activity is very user-friendly to the human body. In the past 10 years, research has shown their potential for enhancing human and environmental health. The field is still largely unexplored. There are 120,000+ species of mushrooms that have not yet been identified.”

Stamets concludes: “There’s more diversity in shovel full of dirt than there are plants and mammals in North America. What this means is that the fungal genome and microbial universe has barely been explored.”

For more information on New Chapter, Inc. and current research, visit http://www.newchapter.info or contact Dean Draznin Communications 888-567-2257 or 561-445-8715.