John Miller
Mushrooms are fungi that have been studied for their health benefits and bioactive components. Medicinal mushrooms have been used to treat infections for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments. Turkey tail mushrooms, for example, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases and strengthen the immune system. In Japan, turkey tail is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. In addition to their use in treating cancer, mushrooms have been studied for their potential in preventing and treating multiple myeloma, an incurable disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicinal mushrooms used to treat cancer | Turkey tail, Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Lentinus edodes (shiitake), Grifola frondosa (maitake) |
| Types of medicinal mushrooms | Beta glucan, Agaricus blazei Murrill (AbM), Polysaccharide K (PSK), Andosan |
| Benefits of medicinal mushrooms | Reduce inflammation, improve survival, improve immune cell response, improve bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy, reduce fatigue, improve appetite, improve physical and mental competency |
| Side effects | Liver or kidney toxicity |
| Mushroom supplements | Beta glucan, curcumin |
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What You'll Learn
Medicinal mushrooms for cancer treatment
Medicinal mushrooms have been used to treat infections for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. They are also used to treat lung diseases and cancer. In Japan and China, mushrooms have been used as a safe addition to cancer treatment for over 30 years. There are more than 100 types of mushrooms used to treat cancer in Asia. Some common ones include Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), Lentinus edodes (shiitake), and Grifola frondosa (maitake).
Mushrooms are being studied to determine their effects on the immune system and whether 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 Polysaccharide K (PSK), the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells. PSK has been used as adjuvant therapy in thousands of cancer patients since the 1970s and safely in Japan with few side effects.
Mushrooms are also being studied for their ability to reduce inflammation, which is linked to cancer. Beta-glucan extracts from mushrooms have been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease nitric oxide levels. Additionally, mushroom beta-glucan extracts have been found to improve survival, enhance immune cell response, and aid in bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy.
In terms of specific types of mushrooms, Agaricus blazei Murrill (AbM) or medical mushrooms have been found to be cytotoxic to multiple myeloma cells and can moderate the side effects of high-dose therapies such as autologous stem cell transplants. Maitake or Grifola frondosa, also known as the dancing mushroom, is an edible mushroom used extensively in traditional Asian medicine. The maitake D-fraction is the bioactive extract that has been studied as an adjuvant therapy, providing T-cell-dependent immune enhancement and activation, resulting in an enhanced antitumour effect.
While medicinal mushrooms show promise for cancer treatment, it is important to note that they are not a cure for cancer. More research is needed to fully understand their effects and potential benefits in cancer treatment. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal mushrooms or any complementary therapy in conjunction with cancer treatment.
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Mushroom extracts for multiple myeloma
Mushrooms are edible fungi packed with vitamin D, which is essential for the immune system. They have been studied for their health benefits and their bioactive components. Bioactive means a substance that can have an effect on an organism. The health benefits of consuming mushrooms include weight maintenance or loss when consumed in place of high-fat meats.
Mushroom extracts have been used for their medicinal benefits in some parts of the world. In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments. There have been more than 2,000 studies focused on mushrooms and cancer in the last 10 years.
Some studies have shown that cancer patients who take mushrooms may live longer. In some cases, this was linked to a positive immune response, but there may be other factors. One study showed that when people took mushrooms, they were able to tolerate more rounds of chemotherapy treatment, probably because they experienced fewer side effects. Mushrooms have also been linked to improvements in several common quality-of-life indicators for cancer patients, including improved appetite, improved physical and mental competency, and reduced fatigue.
Agaricus blazei Murrill (AbM) is an edible Basidiomycetes mushroom that grows naturally in Piedade outside Sao Paulo in Brazil. AbM, also known as medical mushrooms, is the ultimate multiple myeloma therapy, according to two studies. These mushrooms are cytotoxic to multiple myeloma and can moderate the side effects of high-dose therapies such as autologous stem cell transplants.
The commercial mushroom product AndoSan, which contains 82% Agaricus blazei Murrill, has been found to have a cytotoxic effect on primary myeloma cells, other myeloma cell lines, and leukemia cell lines in vitro. In a randomized, double-blinded clinical study, 40 patients with multiple myelomas were treated with the mushroom extract AndoSan or a placebo. The study found increased percentages of Treg cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in patients receiving AndoSan. Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum levels of IL-1ra, IL-5, and IL-7 at the end of treatment.
In conclusion, mushroom extracts have shown promising results in the treatment of multiple myeloma, particularly the Agaricus blazei Murrill-based mushroom extract AndoSan. However, further investigations are needed to fully understand the role of mushroom extracts in multiple myeloma treatment. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or supplement.
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Beta-glucan mushroom supplements
Mushrooms are edible fungi with various health benefits. They are bioactive, meaning they have biological activity and can affect an organism. One of the bioactive components of mushrooms is beta-glucan, a soluble dietary fibre found in baker's yeast, mushrooms, and oats. Beta-glucan supplements are available in various forms, including capsules, powders, drops, and gummies, and offer several health benefits, especially for individuals with multiple myeloma.
Benefits of Beta-Glucan Mushroom Supplements:
- Immune Support: Beta-glucans help activate critical immune system components, including macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells. They enhance the immune system's ability to respond quickly and effectively to challenges.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Beta-glucan extracts have been shown to reduce inflammation, as measured by decreased TNF-alpha and nitric oxide levels. This is particularly relevant for cancer patients, as inflammation is linked to cancer progression.
- Improved Cancer Treatment: Beta-glucan mushroom extracts have been found to improve survival rates, enhance immune cell response, and promote bone marrow recovery in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The extracts may also possess cytotoxic and immunomodulating antitumor properties, making them a potential adjuvant treatment for multiple myeloma.
- Cardiovascular Benefits: Beta-glucans may provide cardiovascular protection by improving glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure regulation. Additionally, they can decrease total cholesterol, postprandial glucose, and insulin concentrations in individuals with high cholesterol.
- Microbiome Enhancement: Consuming mushrooms and beta-glucan supplements can improve the number and type of healthy bacteria in the intestines, known as the microbiome. A healthy microbiome contributes to a robust immune system.
It is important to note that while beta-glucan mushroom supplements offer these potential benefits, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating any new supplement into your routine, especially if you are undergoing cancer treatment or have specific health concerns.
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Mushroom-derived compounds and anti-tumour effects
Mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides in their fruit bodies or mycelia. The -glucans of mushrooms resemble bacterial cell walls and complex with complement on macrophages to activate an immune response, triggering the release of various cytokines that are active in tumour inhibition. Different extraction methods result in varied antitumour properties exhibited by the mushroom.
Polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus linteus (PLP) suppressed tumour growth and pulmonary metastasis through stimulating the immune response, without being directly toxic to cancer cells. Triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum showed anticancer properties. β-D-glucans from Ganoderma lucidum exhibited anticancer effects by inhibiting cancer cells, protecting normal cells against free radicals, and reducing normal cell damage. Their potential use as adjuncts in cancer therapy or as anticancer agents has emerged.
Hispolon, an active polyphenol compound, has been reported to exert potent antineoplastic properties and enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. These findings suggest that some mushrooms may act synergistically in combination with commercial anticancer drugs as effective tools for treating drug-resistant cancers.
Medicinal mushrooms, also known as mycomedicinals, and mushroom-derived polysaccharide preparations have been studied as immune modulators and adjuvant agents in cancer treatment. Mycomedicinals have been found to modify tumour response and improve immune function, primarily in patients with solid tumours. Oral administration of mycomedicinals to mice showed tumour-suppressing activity similar to 5-fluorouracil. They also have antimetastatic activity and have shown a 50% reduction in lung metastases of colorectal cancer in mouse models.
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Mushrooms and chemotherapy side effects
Mushrooms are edible fungi with bioactive components that have been studied for their health benefits. In some parts of the world, mushroom extracts are used in cancer care, including as a complement to chemotherapy.
Mushrooms have been shown to improve the quality of life of cancer patients by improving their appetite, physical and mental competency, and reducing fatigue. This may be due to their ability to lower inflammation, which is linked to cancer. Mushrooms are also packed with vitamin D, which is essential for the immune system.
Several mushroom species have been studied for their potential benefits in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. For example, beta-glucan mushroom extracts have been shown to improve immune cell response and bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy. Maitake, also known as the dancing mushroom, has been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and make it more effective, especially against breast, prostate, and liver cancer. In a study, patients receiving chemotherapy for several different cancers who were given maitake D-fraction experienced an increase in response rates from 12% to 28%, and a reduction in chemotherapy side effects.
Reishi mushrooms, also known as the mushroom of immortality, have been used as medicine in East Asia for a long time. They are thought to prolong life, prevent aging, and increase energy. Reishi is being used in China to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Laboratory and animal studies have also been conducted to test the effects of reishi mushrooms on tumors, including lung cancer. Polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) are bioactive extracts of C. versicolor, a type of mushroom. PSK is an anticancer drug used in Japan as an adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy for various cancers, including lung and breast cancer. Studies have shown that patients who received PSK along with chemotherapy experienced improved immune function, body weight, well-being, and longer survival.
While mushrooms have shown promising results in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and improving patient outcomes, it is important to note that they can also cause adverse reactions in some individuals. Mushrooms have been associated with liver or kidney toxicity, although these side effects tend to be mild to moderate and are not typically severe. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using mushrooms as a complementary treatment for cancer to ensure their safe and effective use.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are safe for multiple myeloma patients to consume. In fact, mushrooms have been linked to improvements in several common quality-of-life indicators for cancer patients, such as improved appetite, physical and mental competency, and reduced fatigue.
Mushrooms have been studied for their health benefits and bioactive components. The bioactive components in mushrooms have biological effects on organisms. For example, beta-glucan extracts from mushrooms have been shown to reduce inflammation, which is linked to cancer. Additionally, mushrooms may improve survival rates and bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy.
Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, are commonly used to treat multiple myeloma. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, and it has been used as an adjuvant therapy in thousands of cancer patients since the mid-1970s. Another type of mushroom used to treat multiple myeloma is Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM), which has cytotoxic properties against myeloma cells and can moderate the side effects of high-dose therapies such as autologous stem cell transplants.
