Medicinal Mushrooms: Nature's Superpowers Explained

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries, mostly in Asia, to treat infections, inflammation, fatigue, and chronic metabolic conditions. In Japan and China, they have been approved as an addition to standard cancer treatments for over 30 years. Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds such as polysaccharide β-glucan, lectins, lactones, terpenoids, alkaloids, antibiotics, and metal-chelating agents, which have therapeutic applications in human health. They may also have an indirect anti-tumor effect by slowing down the formation of pathogenic blood vessels, increasing the number of cancer-fighting white blood cells, and reducing inflammation. While the practice of supplementing with functional fungi is quickly gaining popularity in the West, further controlled human trials, particularly for long-term use, are necessary to understand the safety and efficacy of medicinal mushrooms.

Medicinal mushrooms' anti-tumour effects

Medicinal mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illness for centuries. They are also used in traditional Asian medicine for numerous health-promoting purposes. In recent years, they have been studied for their potential in cancer treatment.

Medicinal mushrooms are not ordinary mushrooms. There are hundreds of different kinds, and only a fraction of these have been studied for their medicinal properties. Of those that have been studied, some have been found to have anti-tumour effects.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is one such mushroom. In Japan, it is used alongside standard cancer treatment to strengthen the immune system. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, and it is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan. Laboratory studies have shown that PSK has anti-cancer effects, and it can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is another mushroom with anti-tumour effects. It has been used as medicine in East Asia for a long time and is believed to prolong life, prevent ageing, and increase energy. In China, it is used to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Reishi is usually dried and taken as an extract in liquid, capsule, or powder form.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is an edible mushroom extensively used in traditional Asian medicine. The maitake D-fraction is a bioactive extract that acts as a biologic response modifier, providing T-cell-dependent immune enhancement and activation that enhances its antitumour effect. It is most effective against breast, prostate, and liver cancer.

Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are commonly used in cooking. One shiitake extract, called lentinan, is a beta glucan, a type of complex sugar compound. Beta glucan may stimulate the immune system and trigger certain cells and proteins in the body to attack cancer cells. In laboratory studies, it seems to slow the growth of some cancer cells.

While medicinal mushrooms have shown promising anti-tumour effects, it is important to note that they are not a cure for cancer. They should be treated like medication, and patients should consult their care team before use.

Their use in treating infections

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to treat infections and combat inflammation. In ancient Greece, China, Egypt, North America, and Mesoamerica, they were routinely used as immune-boosters, antibacterial agents, and remedies for inflammation. For instance, Chaga, which grows on birch trees, is said to fight bacterial and viral infections. It is widely used in China, Russia, and Korea and may also slow down the progression of infections, cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Mushrooms are also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases and are sometimes given alongside cancer treatment. In Japan, cancer patients are given mushroom supplements to help deal with the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial, children who received an oyster mushroom syrup (Imunoglukan P4H®) for 6 months did not suffer from any respiratory infection throughout the treatment. There were also significant reductions in the frequency of flu and flu-like diseases and lower respiratory tract infections.

Mushrooms contain macronutrients that support a healthy immune system, including selenium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and polysaccharides. Selenium helps the body make antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage, while vitamin D assists with cell growth, boosts immune function, and reduces inflammation. Polysaccharides, the most abundant carbohydrate in mushrooms, stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon.

While the majority of health claims made for mushrooms are unsupported by good-quality human trials, many drugs derived from fungi, including antibiotics like penicillin and cholesterol-lowering lovastatin, are already in use. Advances in genome sequencing and techniques for mining genetic information have led to hopes that more compounds from fungi can be isolated, purified, and used in specific doses to treat human diseases.

Their ability to lower inflammation

Mushrooms have been used as food and medicine for centuries in different parts of the world. They are a potential source of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and minerals. They also contain bioactive compounds and metabolites that have been linked to therapeutic and nutritional benefits, making them a potential source of new medications.

Mushrooms have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. They include polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and many other low molecular weight molecules. These bioactive molecules have been found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and associated pathways. Mushrooms have been shown to inhibit inflammation in the human body and can be beneficial for athletes, active individuals, and those with inflammation problems caused by arthritis, celiac disease, asthma, and skin conditions.

The anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms have been attributed to their ability to suppress the production of inflammatory mediators through the downregulation of the gene expression of different types of these inflammatory mediators. This results in the inhibition of inflammation in various types of immune cells and animal models.

Research has shown that the consumption of edible mushrooms can modulate immunity. For example, white button (WB) extracts have been found to stimulate macrophage production of TNF-α. Crimini, maitake, oyster, and shiitake extracts also stimulated TNF-α production, but at lower levels than WB stimulation. However, it is important to note that whole mushroom extracts alone did not affect cytokine production. Co-stimulation with other substances was required to induce TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β while decreasing IL-10.

Overall, mushrooms have been found to have significant anti-inflammatory effects, which can have potential therapeutic benefits for a variety of health conditions. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind their anti-inflammatory properties and to establish their efficacy in comparison to other anti-inflammatory agents.

Their role in boosting memory

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly in Asia, to treat ailments and maintain health. Recent studies have found that they can also play a significant role in boosting memory and cognitive function.

One notable example is the Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), which has been the subject of extensive research for its potential brain health benefits. Lion's Mane has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. It achieves this by regenerating myelin and forming new synapses, thanks to its content of hericenones and erinacines, which act as nerve growth factors.

The University of Queensland researchers identified active compounds in Lion's Mane mushrooms that promote nerve growth and enhance memory. Pre-clinical testing revealed that these compounds significantly impact the growth of brain cells, leading to improved memory. The findings suggest that the active compounds in Lion's Mane mushrooms facilitate neuron projections, enabling them to extend and connect with other neurons.

In addition to Lion's Mane, other types of mushrooms have also been explored for their potential cognitive benefits. For example, Cordyceps, a popular remedy in Chinese medicine, is known to improve kidney function, immune system health, heart health, and endurance, in addition to enhancing memory and increasing attention span. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Chaga, and Pleurotus giganteus are also being studied for their potential benefits in improving cognitive function and memory.

Furthermore, dietary studies have found that older adults who regularly consume mushrooms as part of their diet have a lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. These findings suggest that incorporating mushrooms into one's diet may play a role in reducing the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline associated with ageing.

Their potential to lower cholesterol

Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional medicine practices, and modern science is now uncovering some of their potential health benefits, including their ability to lower cholesterol. High cholesterol is a well-known risk factor for heart disease, so anything that can help reduce these levels is of interest to medical researchers.

One of the key active ingredients in many medicinal mushrooms is a type of fibre known as beta-glucan. This soluble fibre is thought to be responsible for many of the cholesterol-lowering effects seen with mushroom consumption. Beta-glucans can help to block the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, encouraging the body to use more of the excess cholesterol in the blood and reducing overall levels.

A number of studies have looked at the impact of various mushroom species on cholesterol. For example, one study found that consuming 5g of dried shiitake mushrooms daily for 12 weeks led to a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels in adults with mildly high cholesterol. Another study, this time using oyster mushrooms, found that just 10g of dried powder per day for 3 months reduced total cholesterol and improved the ratio of LDL to HDL ('good') cholesterol.

The mechanism behind these effects is not yet fully understood, but it is thought that the beta-glucans in mushrooms may inhibit an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in cholesterol production in the liver. By blocking this enzyme, less cholesterol is produced, leading to lower overall levels in the body.

In addition to their fibre content, medicinal mushrooms also contain a range of antioxidants, which can help to protect the body from damage caused by high cholesterol and reduce inflammation, another risk factor for heart disease. The combination of these two factors may contribute to the cholesterol-lowering effects seen with regular mushroom consumption.

Overall, the potential for medicinal mushrooms to lower cholesterol is an exciting development, offering a natural and relatively simple way to help reduce the risk of heart disease. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and to determine optimal dosages and species, but the initial findings are certainly promising.

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