Sarah Brown
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicines in East Asia for centuries due to their immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. 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. However, the research is still in its early stages and there is currently not enough evidence to say that any type of mushroom can prevent or cure cancer. It is important to consult a doctor before using mushrooms as a complementary treatment for cancer, as they can cause liver or kidney toxicity and may interfere with cancer medication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicinal mushrooms | Used as an addition to standard cancer treatments in Asia |
| Types of medicinal mushrooms | Turkey tail, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Cantharellus cibarius, Russula emetica, Ganoderma species, Antrodia cinnamomea, Agaricus blazei Murill, Grifola frondosa, Phellinus linteus |
| Effects | Improve immune function, decrease inflammation, reduce side effects of chemotherapy, inhibit growth of cancer cells, act as antioxidants, increase survival rates, decrease prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, reduce bone marrow suppression, reduce abdominal pain and diarrhea |
| Side effects | Liver or kidney toxicity, diarrhea or bloating |
| Precautions | Speak to a doctor before use, as mushrooms behave like drugs and may interfere with cancer treatment |
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What You'll Learn
Medicinal mushrooms are used alongside cancer treatments in Asia
Medicinal mushrooms have been used alongside standard cancer treatments in Asia, particularly in Japan and China, for hundreds of years. In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are used to treat various illnesses, including lung diseases. Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor), for example, is known as Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese medicine and as kawaratake (roof tile fungus) in Japan. It has been used in both countries to strengthen the immune system when given alongside standard cancer treatment. Polysaccharide K (PSK), derived from turkey tail mushrooms, is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan. PSK has been studied for its effects on patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. It has been used as adjuvant therapy in thousands of cancer patients since the mid-1970s and has been found to have few side effects.
Mushrooms are also believed to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which can be beneficial for cancer patients. Certain mushrooms are thought to stimulate compounds responsible for tumor suppression and decrease inflammatory compounds. Studies have shown that cancer patients who take mushrooms may experience improved survival rates, possibly due to a positive immune response or other factors. For instance, patients with gynecological cancers who received chemotherapy alongside Agaricus blazei Murill experienced fewer side effects such as loss of appetite, alopecia, and general weakness compared to those in the placebo group. In addition, patients with advanced adenocarcinoma who were treated with Antrodia cinnamomea in conjunction with chemotherapy exhibited less severe gastrointestinal symptoms than those in the placebo group.
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, are commonly used in East Asian cooking and valued for their potential health benefits. One extract derived from shiitake mushrooms, called lentinan, is a beta glucan that may stimulate the immune system and slow the growth of some cancer cells. A literature review in China examined 12 studies that combined lentinan with chemotherapy for lung cancer and found that lentinan improved the immune system and quality of life in lung cancer patients. However, larger-scale studies are needed to fully understand how shiitake extracts can benefit cancer patients.
It is important to note that mushrooms contain potent biological compounds and should be treated like medication. While they have been used safely in Asia for a long time, they can cause mild to moderate liver or kidney toxicity in some cases. Anyone considering the use of mushrooms during cancer treatment should consult with their doctor to discuss the potential benefits and limitations of this approach.
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Mushrooms can cause liver or kidney toxicity
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicines in East Asia due to their immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. 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 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 there are also mushrooms that decrease inflammatory compounds, which is helpful for cancer patients.
However, in some cases, mushrooms did cause adverse reactions. According to Santhosshi Narayanan, M.D., a physician at MD Anderson's Integrative Medicine Center, "Mushrooms can cause liver or kidney toxicity. From what we know, these side effects tend to be mild or moderate. They are not normally severe, but they do exist."
Mushroom poisoning as a cause of acute liver injury is rare but associated with deadly outcomes if not recognized and treated early. The mortality rate is very high in the case of amatoxin-containing mushroom ingestion, and liver transplantation is the only lifesaving option. In one case, a patient presented with gastroenteritis and subsequently developed severe acute liver failure due to mushroom poisoning. The patient was successfully treated with a liver transplant, and their liver function returned to normal eight weeks after the operation.
Some mushroom toxins can cause hemolytic anemia, while others can cause hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Laboratory studies can be helpful in identifying complications of hallucinogenic mushroom abuse, which may include hepatotoxicity with repeated use, acute renal failure, and rhabdomyolysis.
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Mushrooms may help reduce side effects of chemotherapy
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicines in East Asia due to their immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. Polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) are bioactive extracts of C. versicolor. In Japan, PSK is an anticancer drug currently used as an adjuvant treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for esophageal, lung, stomach, breast, and colon cancer. PSP was discovered more recently and has been studied mainly in China. PSP activates the immune system by increasing the production of cytokines and chemokines, stimulating dendritic and T-cell infiltration into tumors, and reducing chemotherapy side effects.
Research has shown that mushrooms may help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. For example, Ahn et al. reported that patients with gynecological cancers receiving chemotherapy showed fewer side effects, such as loss of appetite, alopecia, and general weakness, when the therapy was accompanied by Agaricus blazei Murill compared to those in the placebo group. Maitake is often used to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and make it more effective. It is most effective against breast, prostate, and liver cancer. When maitake D-fraction was given to patients receiving chemotherapy for several different cancers, response rates increased from 12% to 28%, and chemotherapy side effects were reduced.
Mushrooms have been shown to improve survival and quality of life in patients with cancer. Grifola frondosa is an edible mushroom extensively used in traditional Asian medicine for numerous health-promoting purposes. In the RCT conducted by Tsai et al., advanced adenocarcinoma patients treated with Antrodia cinnamomea alongside chemotherapy developed less severe gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, than those in the placebo group. Twardowski et al. reported that Agaricus blazei Murill decreased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and regulated recurrent prostate cancer by decreasing immunosuppressive factors.
However, it is important to note that mushrooms are not a cure or treatment for cancer. While they may help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, they should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment. It is also important to consult a doctor before consuming mushrooms during cancer treatment as they contain potent biological compounds and can behave like drugs. Some side effects of consuming mushrooms have been reported, including liver or kidney toxicity, dermatitis, and diarrhea.
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Reishi mushroom supplements may interfere with cancer treatment
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum or Ling Zhi, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to boost the immune system and promote health. In Japan, they are known as Reishi, and in China, G. lucidum is known as Chizhi and G. sinense as Zizhi.
While Reishi mushrooms have been studied for their potential anticancer properties, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved their use as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. The FDA does not regularly review the way supplements are made, so different batches and brands of mushroom supplements may vary in composition and effects.
The potential interference of Reishi mushroom supplements with cancer treatment highlights the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before incorporating them into cancer care. While they have been traditionally used and studied for their potential benefits, the lack of FDA approval and varying compositions underscore the necessity of individualized assessment and guidance from medical experts.
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Mushrooms are not a cure or preventative for cancer
Mushrooms are part of the fungus family and there are hundreds of different species. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and other traditional medicines for centuries to treat illnesses. In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments.
However, there is currently not enough evidence to say that any type of mushroom can prevent or cure cancer. While some studies have shown that mushrooms can improve survival and quality of life in patients with cancer, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and make it more effective, they are not a cure.
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 tumor inhibition. Mushroom polysaccharides stimulate natural killer cells, T cells, B cells, and macrophages, leading to an increased immune response.
While mushrooms have been shown to have immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, they are not a cure for cancer. It is important to note that supplements are not regulated with the same degree of oversight as medications, and the safety of long-term use of mushrooms has not been fully evaluated.
Additionally, there have been reports of adverse reactions to mushroom consumption, including liver or kidney toxicity, dermatitis, and interference with cytochrome p450 enzymes, which may affect the levels of substrate drugs metabolized by these enzymes. It is crucial to consult with a doctor before using mushrooms as a complementary treatment for cancer, as they can interact with medications and have potential side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Functional mushrooms are often used as an addition to standard cancer treatments in Asia. However, it is important to consult your doctor before using functional mushrooms as a complementary treatment, as they contain potent biological compounds and can cause side effects such as liver or kidney toxicity.
Functional mushrooms are being studied to determine how they affect the immune system and if they have antitumor effects. Some studies have shown that mushrooms can boost parts of the immune system linked to cancer and decrease inflammatory compounds, which may help reduce cancer patients' fatigue.
While there are few side effects reported in studies of functional mushrooms, it is important to note that they are not regulated in the same way as medications. The quality of studies on functional mushrooms also varies, and there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that they can prevent or cure cancer.
