John Miller
Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in Asia. Modern research has confirmed that compounds found in these mushrooms have an effect on the immune system, acting as nonspecific immune modulators. This effect is to bolster immune function, which may help fight off cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. Several studies have found that the addition of turkey tail mushrooms to anticancer chemotherapy increased survival rates, enhanced cancer cell apoptosis, and promoted anti-tumor effects within cancer patients. While the use of turkey tail mushrooms to shrink tumors is still being studied, initial results are promising.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancer treatment | Turkey tail mushroom is used as an addition to standard cancer treatments. |
| Types of cancer | Turkey tail mushroom is used to treat gastric, breast, colorectal, liver, lung, bladder, and leukemia cancer. |
| Side effects | Turkey tail mushroom has a low rate of side effects, which are typically mild and temporary. However, some people who are receiving chemotherapy and a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. |
| Availability | Turkey tail mushroom is widely available without prescription in capsule, liquid tincture and powdered form. |
| Safety | Turkey tail mushroom is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth. However, there isn't enough information to determine its safety when used in the vagina or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
| Traditional medicine | Turkey tail mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. |
| Mechanism of action | Turkey tail mushroom acts as a nonspecific immune modulator, stimulating or suppressing immune function. |
| Active compounds | Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK) are the active compounds in turkey tail mushroom. |
| Anticancer properties | Turkey tail mushroom has been shown to have anti-tumor properties and improve survival outcomes. |
| Research | Modern research confirms the effects of turkey tail mushroom on the immune system. Clinical trials and studies have demonstrated the efficacy of turkey tail mushroom in treating symptoms, medication side effects, anti-tumor effects, and survival outcomes. |
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What You'll Learn
- Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been used alongside chemotherapy to improve survival rates and enhance cancer cell apoptosis
- Turkey tail mushroom extract has been used to treat breast cancer, with positive results in immune recovery and chemotherapy efficacy
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pulmonary diseases and as a tonic
- Turkey tail mushroom's active compound, PSK, is used to treat cancer in Japan, but it is not FDA-approved
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties
Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in Asia, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine. They are purported to have numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system and fighting cancer.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system. Polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), are also present in turkey tail mushrooms and are believed to boost the body's immune system. Laboratory and animal studies have been conducted to test the effects of PSK on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells.
The anti-tumor properties of turkey tail mushrooms have been observed in several studies. One Vietnam War veteran with stage 4 liver cancer reported that all but one of his tumors shrank after receiving immunotherapy and taking turkey tail mushroom extract. Additionally, a 2013 in vitro study showed promise in using an extract derived from turkey tail mushrooms to treat leukemia. Another study found that extracts of turkey tail mushrooms and maitake or hen-of-the-woods mushrooms could stop cancer cells from spreading and enhance the effectiveness of drugs used to treat colorectal cancers.
While the use of turkey tail mushrooms in cancer treatment shows potential, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved it as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of turkey tail mushrooms on cancer and their potential as a supplementary treatment.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been used alongside chemotherapy to improve survival rates and enhance cancer cell apoptosis
Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in Asia. They contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties.
Several studies have been conducted to examine the potential of using extracts derived from turkey tail mushrooms to prevent or treat various cancers. One study found that a daily oral preparation containing Trametes versicolor powder improved immune status after standard treatment for breast cancer. Another study showed that the addition of turkey tail mushrooms to chemotherapy improved survival rates and enhanced cancer cell apoptosis in patients with gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), which may help slow cancer growth and boost the immune system. PSK, in particular, has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in Japan for decades. It has been shown to improve survival rates, enhance cancer cell apoptosis, and improve other aspects of patient progress, including body weight, immune function, and quality of life.
While the use of turkey tail mushrooms alongside chemotherapy has shown promising results, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or PSK as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using turkey tail mushrooms in cancer treatment.
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Turkey tail mushroom extract has been used to treat breast cancer, with positive results in immune recovery and chemotherapy efficacy
Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in Asia. They are purported to have numerous health benefits, particularly for boosting the immune system to fight off cancer. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms.
A 2012 study with nine participants found that a daily oral preparation containing Trametes versicolor powder improved immune status after standard treatment for breast cancer and was well tolerated. Turkey tail mushrooms are believed to enhance the ability of the patient's immune system to discover the tumor, thereby increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This hypothesis is supported by basic science research describing medicinal mushrooms as modulators of molecular targets in cancer treatment.
While turkey tail mushroom extract has shown promise in treating breast cancer, it is important to note that it is not approved by the FDA as a cancer treatment in the United States. However, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan, where few side effects have been reported. Research continues to examine the potential of using turkey tail mushroom extracts to prevent or treat various types of cancer, including breast cancer.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pulmonary diseases and as a tonic
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in Asia, and more specifically, in traditional Chinese medicine. In China, it is known as Yun Zhi, and it is believed to have several health benefits. One of its purported benefits is its ability to boost the immune system and potentially fight off cancer.
Indeed, turkey tail mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, including phenols, which reduce or inhibit cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. They also contain polysaccharopeptides, such as krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which may enhance the body's immune response. PSK, the most well-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, has been the subject of numerous studies to understand its potential anticancer properties.
In traditional Chinese medicine, turkey tail mushrooms have been used to treat pulmonary diseases and as a tonic. The mushrooms' ability to stimulate the immune system and exhibit anti-tumor properties makes them a promising adjunct therapy for cancer patients. For instance, in patients with gastric cancer, turkey tail mushrooms were found to improve antitumor immune ability, prevent lymph node metastasis, and enhance survival rates.
In addition to their potential anticancer properties, turkey tail mushrooms have been traditionally used as a tonic in traditional Chinese medicine. The Ganoderma species of mushrooms, which include turkey tail mushrooms, have been associated with prolonging life, preventing aging, boosting energy, and increasing qi. Turkey tail mushrooms' high antioxidant content and ability to modulate the immune system may contribute to their effectiveness as a tonic.
While turkey tail mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, modern research is ongoing to fully understand their therapeutic potential. Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to have anti-tumor properties and improve immune responses, making them a promising adjunct therapy for cancer patients, particularly in combination with standard treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
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Turkey tail mushroom's active compound, PSK, is used to treat cancer in Japan, but it is not FDA-approved
Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in Asia. They are purported to have numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system to fight off cancer.
One of the active compounds in turkey tail mushrooms is Polysaccharide K (PSK), a proprietary formulation from the Kureha Corporation. PSK has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in Japan for thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. It is often taken as a tea or in capsule form. PSK is known to have few side effects and a well-established safety record in Japan.
Studies have shown that patients who received PSK improved in several ways, including enhanced immune function, increased body weight, improved well-being, reduced tumour-related symptoms, and longer survival. For example, a 2015 review found that using PSK from Trametes versicolor mushrooms helped lung cancer patients who underwent radiation treatment live longer. Another study in Japan followed 262 patients who had successful surgery for gastric cancer and were given chemotherapy with or without PSK. Patients who received chemotherapy and PSK were less likely to have recurrent cancer and lived longer than those who did not.
Despite the promising results and extensive clinical history of safe use in Japan, the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or PSK as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition in the United States. The FDA regulates dietary supplements separately from foods, cosmetics, and drugs, and while they require that every finished batch of supplements is safe and accurately labelled, they do not regularly review the way that supplements are made. Therefore, different batches and brands of mushroom supplements may vary in their effectiveness and safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushroom, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, is a fungus that grows on dead logs and trees worldwide. It gets its name from its colourful, fan-like shape that resembles a turkey's tail.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour properties. They also contain polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which may help boost the body's immune system.
Yes, several studies have been conducted that demonstrate the anti-tumour effects of Turkey Tail Mushrooms. One study found that a daily oral preparation containing Trametes versicolor powder improved immune status and was well tolerated after standard treatment for breast cancer. Another study showed that Turkey Tail Mushroom improved antitumor immune ability, prevented lymph node metastasis, and improved survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients.
Turkey tail mushrooms are likely safe for most people when taken by mouth. However, some people who are receiving chemotherapy and taking a substance extracted from turkey tail mushrooms called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. It is important to note that it is unclear if these side effects are due to the chemotherapy or PSK.
Turkey tail mushrooms and their active compound, PSK, are not approved by the FDA as a treatment for cancer in the United States. 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.
