Emily Johnson
Polysaccharide-K (PSK), also known as krestin, is a proprietary formulation from the Kureha Corporation. It is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, which are scientifically known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor. In traditional Chinese medicine, turkey tail mushrooms are known as Yun Zhi and have been used to treat lung diseases, while in Japan, they are called kawaratake (roof tile fungus) and have been used to strengthen the immune system during cancer treatment. PSK is an approved adjuvant cancer treatment in Japan, but it has not been approved by the FDA in the United States. Laboratory, animal, and human studies have been conducted to test the effects of PSK on the immune system and its potential anticancer properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor |
| Traditional Chinese medicine name | Yun Zhi |
| Japanese name | Kawaratake (roof tile fungus) |
| Best-known active compound | Polysaccharide K (PSK) or krestin |
| PSK proprietary formulation | Kureha Corporation |
| PSK form | Tea or capsule |
| PSK use | Cancer treatment |
| PSK safety record | Well-established in Japan with few adverse events reported |
| PSK studies | Laboratory, animal, and human |
| PSK effects | Anti-inflammatory, immune support, anti-fungal, improved survival rates in cancer patients |
| PSK supplement blends | Reishi, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail, Vitamin C |
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What You'll Learn
PSK is an active compound in turkey tail mushrooms
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat lung diseases. In Japan, they are known as kawaratake (roof tile fungus) and have been used to strengthen the immune system when given with standard cancer treatment. The best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms is Polysaccharide K (PSK), a proprietary formulation from the Kureha Corporation.
PSK is a glycoprotein molecule composed of a main chain beta-(1,4) glucan with beta-(1,3) and beta-(1,6) linked side chains. Small amounts of galactose, mannose, and arabinose have also been detected in the hydrolysate. PSK has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. It has been safely used in Japan for a long time, and few adverse events have been reported. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.
Laboratory and animal studies have tested the effects of PSK on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells. PSK has been studied in patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. It has been shown to improve survival rates in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers. PSK has also been used in combination with conventional radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, resulting in improved median survival rates.
PSK is available as a dietary supplement, and it can be found in mushroom blends that include other medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi, Maitake, and Shiitake. These blends are marketed as immune support supplements, and some customers report that they help prevent colds and flu and boost the immune system. However, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail or PSK as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.
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PSK is used to treat cancer and boost the immune system
PSK, or polysaccharide-K, is a protein-bound polysaccharide derived from the CM-101 strain of the fungus Coriolus versicolor, also known as turkey tail mushrooms. Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases, and in Japan, they are used alongside standard cancer treatment to strengthen the immune system.
PSK has been used as a chemoimmunotherapy agent in the treatment of cancer in Asia, particularly in Japan, for over 30 years. It is often used as an adjuvant therapy, in addition to conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that PSK has great potential as an adjuvant cancer therapy agent, with positive results seen in the treatment of various types of cancer, including gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast, and lung cancers.
One of the key benefits of PSK is its ability to boost the immune system. Studies have shown that PSK increases the number of cancer-killing immune cells, including natural killer cells, T-cells, and lymphocytes. In patients with gastric cancer, for example, PSK has been found to help repair immune cell damage caused by chemotherapy. Additionally, PSK has been shown to have antioxidant properties, which may play a protective role for normal tissues during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The use of PSK in combination with other treatments has resulted in improved outcomes for cancer patients. For instance, patients with colorectal cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy and PSK after surgery had better long-term survival rates than those who received chemotherapy alone. Similarly, patients with lung cancer who received PSK in addition to chemotherapy showed improvements in immune function, body weight, well-being, and tumor-related symptoms.
While PSK has been widely studied and used in Japan, it is important to note that it has not been approved by the FDA in the United States for the treatment of cancer or any other medical condition. However, its long history of use in Asia, particularly in Japan, has established its safety, with few adverse events reported.
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PSK is available as a tea, capsule or supplement
PSK, or Polysaccharide Krestin, is a compound extracted from Turkey Tail mushrooms. It is available as a tea or in capsule form, and it can also be purchased as a supplement. In Japan, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. However, it has not been approved by the FDA for this use or for treating any other medical condition.
Tea made from Turkey Tail mushrooms is available from companies such as Yum Cha Tea Company. Their organic turkey tail mushroom powder can be consumed in teas, smoothies, or other recipes. Turkey Tail mushroom tea is also available from Four Sigmatic, and from Sun Potion in the form of an herbal powder that can be made into tea or blended into drinks and food.
PSK is also available in capsule form. For example, Biogenuine sells a product called PSK-16 Mushroom Supplement Capsules, which is a blend of 15 different medicinal mushrooms, including Turkey Tail, along with Vitamin C. Top Team Health also sells a product called PSK-16 Mushroom Supplement Capsules, which appears to be the same product.
In addition to tea and capsules, PSK is available as a supplement. Naturopathic Care offers a product called PSK Trammune, which contains a medicinal extract derived from Turkey Tail mushrooms.
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PSK is not approved by the FDA
Polysaccharide-K (PSK), also known as krestin, is a proprietary formulation derived from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor, also known as Trametes versicolor or Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been developed for cancer treatment in Japan, where it is an approved mushroom product. PSK is taken as a tea or in capsule form and has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment since the mid-1970s.
Despite its approval in Japan, PSK has not been approved by the FDA in the United States. The FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail or its active compound PSK for the treatment of cancer or any other medical condition. The FDA regulates dietary supplements separately from foods, cosmetics, and drugs, and requires that all finished batches of supplements are safe and that the claims on the label are true and do not mislead the consumer.
The lack of FDA approval for PSK may be due to several reasons. Firstly, the FDA has different regulatory standards and requirements than those in Japan. The approval process in the United States may involve more stringent clinical trials and safety assessments. Secondly, PSK is not a homogeneous substance, with varying molecular weights, which may pose challenges in standardizing and regulating the compound.
Additionally, the FDA's approval process considers the safety and effectiveness of a drug, and PSK may not have met these criteria for approval. While PSK has been studied in patients with various types of cancer and has been found to improve survival rates and enhance immune function, the FDA may require more comprehensive and conclusive scientific data to support its approval. Furthermore, the FDA's approval process also evaluates the manufacturing and production processes to ensure consistency and quality, which may be a factor in the approval decision.
It is important to note that the lack of FDA approval does not necessarily indicate that PSK is ineffective or unsafe. PSK has been safely used in Japan for many years with few reported side effects. However, without FDA approval, it cannot be legally introduced or delivered for interstate commerce in the United States. This means that while PSK may be available in Japan, its accessibility and use in the United States are restricted due to the absence of FDA approval.
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PSK is safe and effective with few side effects
Polysaccharide-K (PSK) is a proprietary formulation derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom, also known as turkey tail mushroom. It has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in Asia, particularly in Japan, since the mid-1970s. PSK is not a drug or treatment approved by the FDA.
Studies have shown that PSK has immunostimulant and antitumor properties. It has been studied in patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. PSK has been found to improve survival rates in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers. It may also benefit patients with oesophageal cancer.
PSK is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with few side effects reported in studies conducted in Japan. It has been safely used in Japan for a long time, and its safety record is well-established in the country. However, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved PSK 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 a 1994 study in Japan, 262 patients who underwent successful surgery for gastric cancer were given chemotherapy with or without PSK. The patients who received chemotherapy and PSK experienced fewer side effects, had lower recurrence rates, and lived longer than those who did not receive PSK. Additionally, all five nonrandomized controlled trials reported improved median survival rates when PSK was used in combination with conventional radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
PSK can be consumed as tea or in capsule form. It has been shown to repair immune cell damage caused by chemotherapy and strengthen the immune system. Laboratory and animal studies have also tested the effects of PSK on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells.
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Frequently asked questions
Polysaccharide-K (PSK) or krestin is a proprietary formulation from the Kureha Corporation. It is a purified hot water extract prepared from the cultivated fungal mycelium of the Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor mushroom.
PSK is used as an adjuvant cancer treatment and has been studied in patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. It is reported to boost the immune system and may help reduce the side effects of oral chemotherapy.
PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. It is also available as a dietary supplement and can be purchased as a powder.
PSK has been safely used in Japan for a long time with few reported side effects. However, it has not been approved by the FDA as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. It is important to consult a doctor before taking PSK, especially if you have an underlying health condition.
Turkey tail mushrooms are known to contain PSK. Coriolus versicolor, also known as Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese medicine, is the mushroom from which PSK is derived.
