Michael Davis
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are colourful fungi that grow on dead logs and hardwood trees worldwide. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat various ailments. In Japan, Polysaccharide-K (PSK), an extract from turkey tail mushrooms, is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. PSK has been shown to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities, which are essential for protecting the body from tumours and viruses. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved PSK as a cancer treatment, it has recently authorized a clinical trial to investigate the effects of turkey tail extract on patients with advanced prostate cancer. This trial aims to determine if the extract can boost the immune system during chemotherapy and lead to significant tumour regression. With promising results from previous studies, researchers are hopeful that turkey tail mushrooms may offer a dual approach to fighting cancer and strengthening overall wellness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd |
| Common Names | Coriolus versicolor, Yun Zhi, Kawaratake, Turkey Tail |
| Cancer Treatment | Turkey Tail has been used as a complementary treatment for cancer in Japan and China for hundreds of years. |
| Cancer Types | Breast, Colorectal, Gastric, Lung, Prostate |
| Side Effects | Turkey Tail is generally considered safe, but may cause digestive issues such as diarrhea, gas, or bloating. |
| Forms | Turkey Tail is available as a tea, capsule, powder, or extract. |
| Active Compound | Polysaccharide K (PSK) or krestin is the active compound in Turkey Tail and is approved for cancer treatment in Japan. |
| Mechanism of Action | PSK enhances the activity of natural killer (NK) cells and T-cells, stimulating the immune system and inhibiting tumor growth. |
| Research | There have been over 2,000 studies on mushrooms and cancer in the last 10 years, with promising results, but more research is needed. |
| FDA Approval | The FDA has approved clinical trials for Turkey Tail in combination with chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer. |
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What You'll Learn
- Turkey tail mushrooms may improve immune status after breast cancer treatment
- Turkey tail mushrooms may help treat colon cancer
- Turkey tail mushrooms may help gastric cancer patients live longer
- Turkey tail mushrooms may improve quality of life for cancer patients
- Turkey tail mushrooms may help fight cancer cells and strengthen the body
Turkey tail mushrooms may improve immune status after breast cancer treatment
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are colourful fungi that grow on trees worldwide. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat various ailments, including pulmonary diseases. In Japan, a purified hot water extract prepared from the cultivated fungal mycelium of turkey tail mushrooms has also been used for its immunomodulatory effects as an adjuvant treatment for cancer.
Turkey tail mushrooms are thought to have numerous properties that benefit the immune system. They are rich in antioxidants like phenols, which reduce or inhibit cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. They also contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. In fact, Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. PSK has been shown to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities, which are important for protecting the body from tumours and viruses.
Several studies have examined the effects of turkey tail mushrooms on cancer treatment. One small study found that a daily oral preparation containing Trametes versicolor powder improved immune status after standard treatment for breast cancer and was well tolerated by participants. Another study of 918 people with Stages II and III gastric cancer suggested that PSK treatment could improve antitumor immune ability by modulating the immune system. Additionally, a review of eight studies that included more than 8,000 people with gastric cancer found that adding PSK to chemotherapy helped them live longer.
While the results of these studies are promising, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or PSK as a treatment for cancer. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of turkey tail mushrooms on cancer treatment and to determine the safety and efficacy of these treatments.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may help treat colon cancer
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are colourful fungi that grow on dead logs and trees worldwide. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat various ailments, including pulmonary diseases. In Japan, a product derived from turkey tail mushrooms, called Polysaccharide-K (PSK), is approved for cancer treatment. PSK is also available as a tea or in capsule form.
Research has shown that turkey tail mushrooms have numerous properties that benefit the immune system, which is essential in fighting cancer. They are high in antioxidants like phenols, which reduce or inhibit cellular damage caused by oxidative stress.
In a 2019 study, Trametes versicolor was combined with Grifola frondosa (maitake) to examine their effects on colon cancer cells. Together, the two mushroom extracts demonstrated the ability to stop cancer cells from spreading and even enhanced the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil, a drug used to treat colorectal cancers. However, another study reported that the combination of these two mushrooms was not effective in controlling the spread of colon cancer cells in a lab setting.
While the results are mixed, turkey tail mushrooms show promise in treating colon cancer. The FDA has approved a clinical trial for a turkey tail extract to be used in combination with conventional chemotherapy for patients with advanced prostate cancer. This trial aims to determine whether the extract can boost the immune system during chemotherapy, which could lead to significant tumour regression.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may help gastric cancer patients live longer
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) are colourful fungi that grow on dead logs and trees worldwide. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat pulmonary diseases and as an adjuvant treatment for cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe for consumption, but people with mushroom or mould allergies should avoid them.
The mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour properties. 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, and it has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.
A review of eight studies that included more than 8,000 people with gastric cancer found that adding PSK to their chemotherapy helped them live longer. Another study by Hsu et al., conducted with 918 people with Stages II and III gastric cancer, found that PSK treatment could successfully improve the antitumor immune ability by modulating the immune system. Patients with negative PD-L1 who received PSK had better survival outcomes than patients who did not receive PSK.
Turkey tail mushrooms have also been shown to have beneficial effects on the quality of life of cancer patients, including improved appetite, improved physical and mental competency, and reduced fatigue.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may improve quality of life for cancer patients
Turkey tail mushrooms are colourful fungi that grow on dead logs worldwide. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat pulmonary diseases. In Japan, a product derived from turkey tail mushrooms, called Polysaccharide-K (PSK) or krestin, is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.
Research suggests that turkey tail mushrooms may improve the quality of life for cancer patients. A 2015 review of 11 clinical trials and 17 preclinical studies found that using PSK from the Trametes versicolor mushrooms helped lung cancer patients who underwent radiation treatment. The extract improved other aspects of the patients' progress, including body weight, immune function, and quality of life.
In addition, a review of eight studies that included more than 8,000 people with gastric cancer found that adding PSK to their chemotherapy helped them live longer. PSK has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. The safety record for PSK is well established in Japan, with few adverse events reported.
Furthermore, findings from a study by Hsu et al. conducted with 918 people with Stages II and III gastric cancer suggest that PSK treatment could successfully improve the antitumor immune ability by modulating immune systems. Long-term outcomes obtained in programmed death-1 ligand 1 negative (PD-L1) patients treated with PSK were better than those who did not receive PSK. Patients with negative PD-L1 who received PSK had better survival outcomes than patients who did not receive PSK, but this was not true for those with positive PD-L1 expression.
Turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe. However, people with mushroom or mould allergies should avoid them. While they are generally well-tolerated, turkey tail mushrooms can occasionally cause digestive upset, such as diarrhoea, gas, or bloating. It is important to note that the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements in the same way that it regulates conventional medicines, and natural products can vary slightly from harvest to harvest.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may help fight cancer cells and strengthen the body
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) are a type of woody bracket polypore fungus that grows on dead logs worldwide. They get their name from their colourful stripes, which resemble the tail feathers of a turkey. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat various ailments.
Turkey tail mushrooms are thought to have anti-cancer properties and have been the subject of numerous studies investigating their potential to fight cancer. The mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which are believed to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. One study found that an extract derived from turkey tail mushrooms showed promise in treating leukemia. Another study found that turkey tail mushroom extract could enhance the effectiveness of a drug used to treat colorectal cancers.
In addition to their potential anti-cancer properties, turkey tail mushrooms are also believed to strengthen the body. They are high in antioxidants, which reduce or inhibit cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. They are also a good source of vitamin D, which is essential for the immune system. Studies have shown that cancer patients who take mushrooms may experience improved appetite, physical and mental competency, and reduced fatigue.
While the potential benefits of turkey tail mushrooms are promising, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand their effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or their active compound, Polysaccharide-K (PSK), as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. However, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan, and it has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s with a well-established safety record.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushrooms are a type of fungus that grows on dead logs and trees worldwide. They get their name from their colourful stripes, which resemble the tail feathers of a turkey. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat various ailments.
Turkey tail mushrooms are thought to have anti-cancer properties due to their high levels of antioxidants and polysaccharides (beta-glucans), which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour effects. Some studies have shown that cancer patients who take turkey tail mushrooms may live longer, possibly due to improved immune responses and better tolerance to chemotherapy treatment.
Turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe, but people with mushroom or mould allergies should avoid them. They can occasionally cause digestive upset, such as diarrhoea, gas, or bloating. It is important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or their extracts as a treatment for cancer.
Turkey tail mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including powdered, tea, or capsule. In Japan, a product called Polysaccharide-K (PSK) or Krestin, derived from turkey tail mushrooms, is approved for cancer treatment and can be taken orally. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before consuming turkey tail mushrooms or their extracts for potential cancer benefits.
