Laura Smith
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illnesses for hundreds of years. They are also used as a complementary therapy for cancer treatment in Japan and China. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that mushroom extracts may slow the growth of breast cancer cells and have anti-cancer effects on skin, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms and is approved for cancer treatment in Japan. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that any type of mushroom can prevent or cure cancer. While some studies indicate that consuming two mushrooms daily may reduce the risk of cancer, others suggest that it is unlikely that any single food or drink causes or prevents cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicinal mushrooms | Used as medicine for hundreds of years, particularly in Asia |
| Types of medicinal mushrooms | Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), Lentinus edodes (shiitake), Grifola frondosa (maitake) |
| Uses | Used to treat infections, lung diseases, and cancer |
| Approved treatments | Used as an addition to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China for over 30 years |
| Active compounds | Polysaccharide K (PSK), lentinan, krestin, hispolon, lectin, calcaelin, illudin S, psilocybin, Hericium polysaccharide A and B (HPA and HPB), ganoderic acid, schizophyllan, laccase |
| Effects | Anti-tumor, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant |
| Benefits | Reduce side effects of conventional therapies, enhance quality of life, stimulate the immune system, reduce fatigue |
| Limitations | May cause liver or kidney toxicity, adverse reactions, limited clinical studies |
| Research | Laboratory and animal studies, early phase 1 trial, retrospective studies, global research |
| Dietary intake | May reduce cancer risk, but insufficient evidence, no single food or drink causes or prevents cancer |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey tail mushrooms are used in Japan to treat cancer
Mushrooms are part of the fungus family and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat various illnesses. They are also used in Japan to treat lung diseases and as an adjunct to cancer treatment. Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are one such type of mushroom. They are known as Kawaratake in Japan and have been used as a treatment for cancer in the country.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP). PSK is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. It is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan, where it has been used safely in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. Laboratory studies have tested the effects of PSK on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells.
Research has shown that turkey tail mushroom extract may support cancer treatment and restore the balance of gut bacteria. A 2019 study found that a fermented substrate of the turkey tail mushroom had unique beneficial components compared to other parts of the mushroom. Another study in the same year found that PSP from turkey tail extract may inhibit colon cancer cell growth and stop colon cancer cells from migrating and invading healthy cells.
However, it is important to note that turkey tail extract does not treat cancer on its own. While it may be a promising complementary treatment, further research is needed to confirm its benefits. People with cancer should consult their oncologist before trying turkey tail mushrooms.
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Mushrooms can strengthen the immune system
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments. In these countries, mushrooms have been used safely for a long time, either alone or combined with radiation or chemotherapy.
Medicinal mushrooms are being studied to find out how they affect the immune system and if they stop or slow the growth of tumours or kill tumour cells. Some studies show that mushrooms boost parts of the immune system that are linked to cancer. Certain mushrooms stimulate the compounds that are responsible for tumour suppression, and some decrease inflammatory compounds, which is helpful for cancer patients.
Mushroom polysaccharides stimulate dormant natural killer cells, T cells, B cells, and macrophage-dependent immune responses. Mushroom-derived compounds activate immune cells to induce either cell-mediated or direct cytotoxicity in cancer cells by binding to pathogen recognition receptors.
There is early research showing that mushrooms may strengthen the immune system. However, there is currently not enough evidence to say that any type of mushroom can prevent or cure cancer.
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Mushrooms may slow the growth of cancer cells
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments. However, it is important to note that mushrooms cannot cure or prevent cancer.
Medicinal mushrooms are currently being studied to understand how they affect the immune system and if they can stop or slow the growth of tumours or kill tumour cells. Laboratory and animal studies have been conducted to test the effects of mushroom compounds on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells.
Research has shown that mushroom extracts may slow the growth of breast cancer cells and have anticancer effects on skin, lung, and prostate cancer cells. For example, Polysaccharide K (PSK) from turkey tail mushrooms is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.
In addition to their direct anticancer effects, medicinal mushrooms have been shown to enhance the quality of life and reduce the side effects of conventional chemotherapy. They can help counter nausea, bone marrow suppression, anaemia, and lowered resistance associated with cancer treatment.
While the research is promising, more clinical research on mushrooms with anticancer potential is needed. This includes employing high-quality methodology, larger sample sizes, standard mushroom preparations, and long-term follow-ups. It is also important to consult with a doctor before using mushrooms as a complementary treatment for cancer, as they can cause liver or kidney toxicity in some cases.
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Mushrooms are used to treat lung diseases in China and Japan
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illnesses for hundreds of years. They are also used in Japan and China to treat lung diseases and are sometimes given alongside cancer treatment. In Japan, turkey tail mushrooms, known as kawaratake, have been used to strengthen the immune system when given with standard cancer treatment. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. In Japan, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.
In China, reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, have been used to treat lung diseases for many years. In an open-label trial in China, 36 patients with advanced lung cancer were given an over-the-counter product made from reishi called Ganopoly. The patients were being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, along with other complementary therapies. Some patients had marked changes in the immune responses being studied, such as lymphocyte count and natural killer cell activity, while some patients had no change in immune response. In China, a study was conducted with 12 lung cancer patients. Their blood was tested to see if taking a product made from reishi could help improve immune response. The study found that the polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms may help cancer-fighting immune cells, called lymphocytes, stay active.
Maitake mushrooms are also used in Japan and China to treat diabetes and hypertension. They contain a complex sugar called beta-glucan. Studies in the laboratory have shown that maitake extract can slow the growth of some cancer cells. However, there is no evidence from clinical trials that maitake extracts can cure cancer.
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are valued in some cultures as an anti-cancer agent. One shiitake extract called lentinan is a beta-glucan that may stimulate the immune system. It may do this by triggering certain cells and proteins in the body to attack cancer cells. In China, a literature review of 12 studies looked at lentinan in patients with chemotherapy for lung cancer.
While mushrooms have been shown to have beneficial effects on cancer treatment, they cannot cure or prevent cancer. More clinical research on mushrooms with anticancer potential needs to be conducted to determine their effectiveness.
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Mushrooms can be used to complement cancer treatments
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat various illnesses. They are also used in Japan and China to treat lung diseases and complement cancer treatments. However, it is important to note that mushrooms cannot cure or prevent cancer.
Mushrooms are a rich source of nutraceuticals, antioxidants, prebiotics, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatories, and other beneficial compounds. They are also low in fat and sugar while being high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals such as potassium. The therapeutic potential of medicinal mushrooms is attributed to these bioactive substances, which may positively impact the immune system and have anti-tumour effects.
In Japan, Polysaccharide K (PSK) from turkey tail mushrooms is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. It can be consumed as tea or in capsule form. Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, have been used in East Asia for a long time and are believed to have various health benefits. In China, it is used to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It is typically consumed as a liquid extract, capsule, or powder.
Shiitake mushrooms, or Lentinus edodes, are another type of medicinal mushroom with potential anti-cancer properties. They are readily available in grocery stores and are generally considered safe for consumption. However, some people have reported mild side effects such as diarrhoea or bloating.
While there is research suggesting that consuming mushrooms may reduce the risk of cancer, the evidence is not conclusive. A study by Pennsylvania State University found that people who ate two mushrooms daily had a 45% lower risk of cancer. However, more comprehensive studies that examine the broader context of an individual's diet and lifestyle are needed to confirm these findings.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are not proven to cure or prevent cancer. However, they are known to complement chemotherapy and radiation therapy by countering the side effects of cancer, such as nausea, bone marrow suppression, anaemia, and lowered resistance.
Mushrooms are being studied to see how they affect the immune system and if they have antitumor effects. Some studies show that mushrooms boost parts of the immune system that are linked to cancer.
Mushrooms can cause liver or kidney toxicity, but these side effects are usually mild or moderate. They may also cause allergic reactions.
Turkey tail, reishi, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms are some of the more common types of mushrooms used to treat cancer.
It is important to talk to your doctor before using mushrooms during cancer treatment. Mushrooms contain potent biological compounds and should be treated like medication.
