Mushrooms: A Potential Prostate Cancer Fighter?

Mushrooms have long been used as a source of food and medicine in Asian cultures and are suspected of possessing anti-cancer properties. In recent years, researchers have been investigating the potential benefits of mushrooms in fighting prostate cancer. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2019 found that men who consumed mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those who did not eat mushrooms. Additionally, a Phase 1 trial of white button mushroom extract indicated that it is safe and potentially effective against prostate cancer, with no negative side effects observed. The research suggests that mushrooms may stimulate the immune system and limit the growth of prostate cancer cells. However, more research is needed to confirm the role of mushrooms in prostate cancer prevention and treatment.

White button mushrooms may slow prostate cancer progression

Mushrooms have long been used as a source of food and medicine in Asian cultures, and are suspected of possessing anti-cancer properties. While they are not a cure for cancer, some studies have shown that regular mushroom consumption may lower the risk of developing prostate cancer.

In 2021, a mouse study presented virtually at ENDO 2021, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, found that the chemicals present in white button mushrooms may slow the progression of prostate cancer. The study found that white button mushrooms contain chemicals that can block the activity of androgen receptors, a type of male sex hormone that promotes the growth of prostate cancer cells.

The City of Hope's Shiuan Chen, Ph.D., has been investigating the potential beneficial effects of white button mushrooms for about 20 years. His translational preclinical and clinical research has found that this "bioactive food" available in most supermarkets might prevent or slow the spread of prostate and breast cancers.

In 2022, the Saint John's Cancer Institute and the City of Hope collaborated on a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of mushroom tablets on two different groups of prostate cancer patients. The trial aimed to assess the potential role of mushroom-derived supplements in prostate cancer therapy. The results from the Phase 1 white button mushroom trial indicated that white button mushroom extract is safe and potentially effective against prostate cancer. About 36% of study participants had some decline in PSA levels after three months of white button mushroom tablet intake, and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed.

While more research is needed, it is possible that white button mushrooms could contribute to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Mushrooms may lower prostate-specific antigen levels

Mushrooms may have the potential to prevent prostate cancer and slow its progression. However, the relationship between mushroom consumption and incident prostate cancer in humans has not been extensively investigated.

Several studies have found an inverse relationship between mushroom consumption and prostate cancer risk. One study, which followed 36,499 men aged 40–79 for a median of 13.2 years, found that frequent mushroom consumption was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. This effect was particularly pronounced in men aged 50 or older. Another study, which followed over 36,000 men aged 40 to 79 for up to 25 years, found that men who consumed mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those who did not eat mushrooms.

The potential prostate cancer-fighting properties of mushrooms may be due to their high levels of ergothioneine, a potential cancer preventive. Additionally, mushrooms contain chemical compounds that may strengthen the immune system, which could help fight cancer cells.

White button mushrooms, in particular, have been the focus of several clinical trials investigating their effects on prostate cancer. Results from a Phase 1 trial indicated that white button mushroom extract is safe and potentially effective against prostate cancer. About 36% of study participants experienced a decline in PSA levels after three months of white button mushroom tablet intake. A Phase 2 trial is currently underway to further assess the effects of white button mushrooms on prostate cancer.

While the research is still ongoing, the available evidence suggests that mushrooms may indeed have the potential to lower prostate-specific antigen levels and fight prostate cancer.

Mushrooms' ergothioneine may prevent prostate cancer

Mushrooms have long been used as a source of food and medicine in Asian cultures and are suspected of possessing anticancer properties. While they are not a cure for cancer, they are valued in some cultures as an anticancer agent.

Shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster mushrooms have the highest concentrations of ergothioneine, a potential cancer preventive compound. The consumption of mushrooms has been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer, with one study finding that men who consumed mushrooms at least once a week had an 8% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those who did not eat mushrooms.

The City of Hope's Shiuan Chen, Ph.D., has been investigating the potential beneficial effects of white button mushrooms for about 20 years. His research has found that this "bioactive food" available in most supermarkets might prevent or slow the spread of prostate and breast cancers. Results from the Phase 1 trial of the white button mushroom indicated that it is safe and potentially effective against prostate cancer, with about 36% of study participants experiencing a decline in PSA levels after three months of intake.

The Phase 2 trial of the white button mushroom aims to assess if recurrent prostate cancer patients experience any PSA reduction at three months. The experimental groups will consume 14 grams of the mushroom powder tablet per day, which is roughly equivalent to 2/3 of a container of white button mushrooms purchased from the supermarket.

While more research is needed, it is possible that the ergothioneine present in mushrooms may contribute to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Shiitake mushroom extracts may stimulate the immune system

Mushrooms have long been used as a source of food and medicine in Asian cultures and are suspected of possessing anti-cancer properties. While there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, maintaining healthy eating habits, such as consuming more vegetables and fruits, has been suggested.

Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, are grown worldwide for their supposed health benefits. They are valued in some cultures as an anti-cancer agent. One shiitake extract called lentinan is a beta glucan, a type of complex sugar compound. Beta glucan may stimulate the immune system by triggering certain cells and proteins in the body to attack cancer cells. In laboratory studies, it seems to slow the growth of some cancer cells.

In a literature review of 12 studies, researchers in China looked at lentinan in patients with lung cancer. They found that lentinan worked on the immune system and improved the quality of life in lung cancer patients. However, larger-scale studies are needed to understand how shiitake extracts can help people with cancer.

In addition to shiitake mushrooms, white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) have also been studied for their potential benefits in preventing or slowing the spread of prostate cancer. Results from a Phase 1 trial indicated that white button mushroom extract is safe and potentially effective against prostate cancer. About 36% of study participants experienced a decline in PSA levels after three months of white button mushroom tablet intake, and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. White button mushroom consumption seemed to stimulate the immune system into action and limited the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Further research is needed to understand the potential benefits of mushrooms in preventing or treating prostate cancer.

Mushrooms may prevent prostate cancer in men over 50

Mushrooms may be a powerful tool in the fight against prostate cancer in men over 50. While there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, maintaining a healthy diet that includes mushrooms may help lower the risk.

Research has shown that men who consume mushrooms regularly have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2019 found that men who ate mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to non-mushroom eaters. The effect was more pronounced in men over 50. Another study, the Miyagi and Ohsaki cohort studies in Japan, followed 36,499 men aged 40-79 for a median of 13.2 years and found an inverse relationship between mushroom consumption and prostate cancer risk.

The potential cancer-fighting properties of mushrooms are thought to be due to their high levels of ergothioneine, a compound that may have cancer-preventive properties. Additionally, mushrooms contain chemicals that can block the activity of androgen receptors, which promote the growth of prostate cancer cells.

White button mushrooms, in particular, have been the focus of several clinical trials for prostate cancer treatment. Results from these trials indicate that white button mushroom extract is safe and potentially effective in slowing the progression of prostate cancer and reducing levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker for prostate cancer.

While the research is promising, it is important to note that more studies are needed to confirm the role of mushrooms in prostate cancer prevention and treatment.

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