John Miller
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are commonly used in East Asian cooking. They are also employed in traditional Chinese medicine and valued as a potential anti-cancer agent. The active substance extracted from shiitake mushrooms, Lentinan, has been found to have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor functions. Lentinan has been approved as an adjunct to chemotherapy in China and Japan, improving the prognosis of patients, enhancing their immune function, and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. However, there are also reports of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and dermatitis in some individuals after exposure to shiitake spores or ingestion of raw or cooked shiitake mushrooms. While shiitake mushrooms have been marketed as a potential anticancer agent, clinical trials on their anticancer properties are limited, and larger studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancer-causing | No evidence that shiitake mushrooms cause cancer |
| Cancer treatment | Lentinan, a polysaccharide extracted from shiitake, may help extend the survival of patients with some cancers when used with chemotherapy |
| Cancer prevention | Shiitake-derived Latcripin-4 was shown to inhibit the cell viability of HepG2 cells |
| Cancer therapy | Used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illness |
| Cancer cure | No evidence that shiitake mushrooms can cure cancer |
| Cancer research | Small studies with mixed results; larger, well-designed trials are needed to evaluate the anticancer potential of shiitake |
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What You'll Learn
- Shiitake mushrooms are valued as an anti-cancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine
- Lentinan, a polysaccharide extracted from shiitake, may help extend the survival of patients with some cancers
- Shiitake mushrooms may cause allergic reactions, including dermatitis, photosensitivity, and gastrointestinal upset
- Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to slow the growth of some cancer cells in laboratory studies
- Ingesting whole shiitake mushrooms can cause small bowel obstruction, leading to necrosis and mucosal damage in the small intestine
Shiitake mushrooms are valued as an anti-cancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are also cultivated worldwide for their health benefits and are a common ingredient in East Asian cuisine.
In traditional Chinese medicine, shiitake mushrooms are believed to nourish the blood and qi. They are also thought to have anticancer properties, which has sparked interest in the scientific community.
One of the active substances in shiitake mushrooms is lentinan (LNT), a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor agent. LNT has been approved as an adjunct to chemotherapy in China and Japan, and studies have shown that it improves the prognosis of patients, enhances their immune function, and reduces the side effects of chemotherapy. It is believed that the anticancer properties of lentinan are due to its ability to suppress cytochrome P450 1A enzymes, which are involved in activating procarcinogens.
In addition to LNT, shiitake mushrooms contain other bioactive compounds that may contribute to their anticancer effects. For example, a combination of shiitake and Agaricus bisporus mushrooms demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy in prostate cancer cells. Another study found that a novel mushroom blend effectively reduced the tumour burden in a triple-negative breast cancer mouse model.
While shiitake mushrooms have shown promising potential as an anticancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine, more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action and to validate their therapeutic potential.
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Lentinan, a polysaccharide extracted from shiitake, may help extend the survival of patients with some cancers
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are commonly used in East Asian cuisine. They are also valued in some cultures as an anticancer agent. The fresh and dried forms of the mushroom are used in cooking. There are also herbal medicines that use shiitake extract.
In China, a literature review of 12 studies looked at lentinan. They examined studies where people had it with chemotherapy for 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 before we will know how shiitake extracts can help people with cancer.
Lentinan does not kill cancer cells directly but enhances a number of aspects of the immune system, which may aid in the slowing of tumor growth. Lentinan also kills viruses and microbes directly in laboratory studies. Most studies of lentinan involve intravenous or intramuscular injections. It is uncertain whether the ingestion of shiitake mushrooms provides similar effects. One clinical trial has shown that shiitake extract alone is not an effective treatment for prostate cancer.
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Shiitake mushrooms may cause allergic reactions, including dermatitis, photosensitivity, and gastrointestinal upset
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are cultivated worldwide for their health benefits. They are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illness and are valued as a potential anticancer agent. The fresh and dried forms of the mushroom are commonly used in East Asian cooking.
However, despite their potential health benefits, shiitake mushrooms may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. These allergic reactions can manifest in various ways, including dermatitis, photosensitivity, and gastrointestinal upset.
Dermatitis, also known as shiitake dermatitis, is a skin condition characterized by whip-like, linear, erythematous wheals. These distinctive patterns have been associated with toxic reactions to lentinan, a substance found in shiitake mushrooms. Individuals may experience intermittent dermatitis over an extended period linked to shiitake consumption.
Photosensitivity is another possible allergic reaction, resulting in increased sensitivity to sunlight or artificial light. Gastrointestinal upset can also occur, leading to nausea, abdominal pain, and other digestive issues.
It is important for consumers to be aware of these potential allergic reactions and monitor their bodies' responses when introducing shiitake mushrooms into their diets. While shiitake mushrooms offer potential health benefits, some individuals may need to avoid or limit their consumption to prevent adverse reactions.
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Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to slow the growth of some cancer cells in laboratory studies
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are cultivated worldwide for their health benefits. They are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various illnesses and are also employed in traditional medicine as a potential anticancer agent.
Lentinan, a polysaccharide extracted from shiitake, may help extend the survival of patients with some cancers when used with chemotherapy. Lentinan does not kill cancer cells directly but enhances the immune system, which may aid in slowing the growth of tumours. It also kills viruses and microbes directly in laboratory studies.
In a trial involving 52 healthy young adults, consuming 5 or 10 grams of shiitake mushrooms daily for four weeks resulted in improved immunity. In addition, a small non-randomized study involving eight patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer found that 1,800 mg of shiitake mycelial extract, when taken daily for four weeks during the second course of chemotherapy, improved nausea and abdominal pain.
While shiitake mushrooms have shown potential in laboratory studies, it is important to note that clinical trials on their anticancer properties are limited. More extensive studies are needed to fully understand how shiitake extracts can help people with cancer.
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Ingesting whole shiitake mushrooms can cause small bowel obstruction, leading to necrosis and mucosal damage in the small intestine
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are commonly used in East Asian cuisine. They are also valued in some cultures as an anticancer agent. The fresh and dried forms of the mushroom are used in cooking. The shiitake mushroom has a soft and slippery texture, making it susceptible to accidental ingestion without proper chewing.
Shiitake mushrooms are a rare cause of phytobezoars that result in intestinal obstruction. They are usually swallowed whole or in large pieces, and their shape is preserved in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to their high insoluble fibre content, they remain the same size and shape in the intestinal tract, which can lead to luminal obstruction. Ingestion of shiitake mushrooms without proper chewing, especially in individuals with dental disorders, is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction.
In a small case series, two patients presented with small bowel obstruction due to shiitake mushroom ingestion requiring surgical intervention. Both patients had dental issues and did not use dentures, which contributed to the obstruction. Another case series reported two patients with intestinal obstruction caused by shiitake mushroom ingestion during the Chinese New Year. Exploratory laparotomy and enterotomy were performed, and undigested shiitake mushrooms were found.
The detection of dietetic bowel obstruction due to shiitake mushrooms can be challenging due to delayed symptom onset and the radiotransparency of the mushroom. However, urgent surgical intervention is often required to treat the obstruction. Laparoscopic exploration is preferred for stable patients, and it is important to examine the obstructing mass thoroughly during the operation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, shiitake mushrooms are valued in some cultures as an anticancer agent.
Yes, shiitake mushrooms are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illness. They are also marketed as an immunomodulator. Small studies have shown that lentinan, a polysaccharide extracted from shiitake, may help extend the survival of patients with some cancers when used with chemotherapy.
Consuming raw or cooked shiitake mushrooms has been associated with toxic reactions to lentinan, leading to dermatological issues. Ingesting whole shiitake mushrooms can also cause small bowel obstruction, resulting in necrosis and mucosal damage in the small intestine. Exposure to shiitake spores has also been linked to hypersensitivity pneumonitis in patients with lung cancer.
