Laura Smith
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for hundreds of years, particularly in Asia. Medicinal mushrooms are used to treat infections and lung diseases, and as an addition to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China. There are over 100 types of mushrooms used to treat cancer, including reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake. Laboratory and animal studies have tested the effects of the active ingredients in reishi mushrooms on lung cancer tumours, and studies suggest that reishi may help strengthen the immune system in patients with lung cancer. Other studies have shown that the Lion's Mane mushroom has anti-tumour and immunomodulatory effects, and that the birch polypore mushroom has anti-cancer activity. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of mushrooms on lung cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms that may help with lung cancer | Reishi, Royal Sun Mushroom, Maitake, Coriolus, Pleurotus, Lion’s Mane, Grifola frondosa (maitake), Lentinus edodes (shiitake), Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane), Clitocybealexandri, Clitocybe maxima, F. fomentarius, Piptoporusbetulinus (birch polypore) |
| How they may help | Mushrooms are packed with vitamin D, which is essential for the immune system. They may also contain beta glucans, known to stimulate the human immune system. Studies suggest that mushrooms may help cancer-fighting immune cells, called lymphocytes, stay active. |
| Where are they used? | Medicinal mushrooms are used to complement cancer treatments in Japan and China. |
| Are there any side effects? | Mushrooms can cause liver or kidney toxicity. |
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What You'll Learn
Reishi mushrooms may improve immune response in lung cancer patients
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. In Japan and China, they are used to complement cancer treatments. Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, are one of the most common medicinal mushrooms. They are used to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Reishi mushrooms are thought to have immunomodulatory, chemopreventive, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are also used to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy. In small clinical studies, reishi mushrooms have been shown to enhance immune response in cancer patients.
In an open-label trial in China, 36 patients with advanced lung cancer were given an over-the-counter product made from reishi called Ganopoly. These patients were also undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, along with other complementary therapies. Some patients exhibited marked changes in immune responses, while others showed no change. Another study in China involving 12 lung cancer patients found that reishi mushrooms helped improve immune response by keeping cancer-fighting immune cells, called lymphocytes, active.
While reishi mushrooms have been shown to have potential benefits for lung cancer patients, more research is needed to fully understand their effectiveness. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking reishi mushrooms as they may interfere with cancer treatment. Additionally, mushrooms can cause liver or kidney toxicity, although these side effects are typically mild to moderate.
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Medicinal mushrooms can be used alongside chemotherapy
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years, particularly in Asia, to treat infections and other diseases. In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments. There have been over 2,000 studies focused on mushrooms and cancer in the last 10 years.
In China, a study was conducted with 12 lung cancer patients to test if taking a product made from reishi could help improve immune response. The study found that the polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms may help cancer-fighting immune cells, called lymphocytes, stay active. In Japan, 225 patients with benign colorectal tumors were studied. For 12 months, 123 of the patients were given an extract of the mushroom G. lucidum mycelia (MAK), while the remaining 102 patients did not receive treatment with MAK. At 12 months, a follow-up colonoscopy showed that the number and size of the tumors decreased in the group that received MAK, but not in the group that did not.
In another study, 36 patients with advanced lung cancer were given an over-the-counter product made from reishi called Ganopoly, alongside chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and other complementary therapies. The use of products made from reishi as adjuvant therapy may help strengthen the immune system in patients with lung cancer.
Medicinal mushrooms are packed with vitamin D, which is essential for the immune system. They also contain potent biological compounds, such as beta glucans, which are known to powerfully stimulate and awaken the human immune system. The stimulation induced in the body itself seems to be the key to the effects observed in numerous clinical trials that show that ingesting mushroom preparations together with conventional oncological medication has contributed to positive outcomes.
However, it is important to note that mushrooms can cause liver or kidney toxicity, and while these side effects tend to be mild or moderate, they do exist. Before using mushrooms during cancer treatment, it is essential to talk to a doctor.
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Mushrooms may extend survival after a cancer diagnosis
Medicinal mushrooms have been used as an addition to standard cancer treatments in Asia, particularly in Japan and China, for hundreds of years. In these countries, mushrooms have been used safely, either alone or in combination with radiation or chemotherapy.
Mushrooms are being studied to find out how they affect the immune system and if they stop or slow the growth of tumors or kill tumor cells. Laboratory and animal studies have tested the effects of the active ingredients in reishi mushrooms, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides on tumors, including lung cancer. Polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms may help cancer-fighting immune cells, called lymphocytes, stay active. Studies suggest that the use of products made from reishi as adjuvant therapy may help strengthen the immune system in patients with lung cancer.
Some studies have shown that cancer patients who take mushrooms may live longer. In some cases, this was linked to a positive immune response, but there may be other factors. One study showed that when people took mushrooms, they were able to tolerate more rounds of chemotherapy treatment, probably because they experienced fewer side effects.
It is important to note that mushrooms contain potent biological compounds and can behave like drugs, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before using mushrooms during cancer treatment.
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Lion's Mane has anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects
Several types of mushrooms have been studied for their potential to treat lung cancer. These include Reishi, Royal Sun Mushroom, Maitake, Coriolus, Pleurotus, and Lion's Mane. While mushrooms have been used as medicine for hundreds of years, especially in Asia, their efficacy in treating cancer in humans is still being studied.
Lion's Mane mushrooms, in particular, have been found to have anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects. In a 2014 study, Lion's Mane extract was found to be more effective than traditional cancer medications at slowing tumor growth in mice, with fewer side effects. However, it is important to note that the anticancer effects of Lion's Mane mushrooms have never been tested in humans, and more research is needed to confirm its therapeutic potential.
Lion's Mane mushrooms contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Research shows that these compounds may help reduce the impact of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, where chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to be the root causes. A 2021 study found that Lion's Mane exhibits high antioxidant activity, especially when extracted with ethanol.
Lion's Mane mushrooms have also been found to enhance the immune system, by reducing inflammation and preventing oxidation. Studies on mice suggest that Lion's Mane mushrooms boost the activity of the intestinal immune system. Additionally, a protein in Lion's Mane mushrooms encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that strengthen immunity.
Lion's Mane mushrooms have also been studied for their potential cognitive benefits. One study concluded that Lion's Mane might improve cognitive function, as participants who took a single dose demonstrated quicker performance on a task. Another study found that Lion's Mane supplementation had no positive effect on cognitive function. Further research is needed to fully understand its potential in this area.
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Grifola frondosa decreases immunosuppression in tumour-bearing mice
Grifola frondosa, also known as Maitake, is a popular edible mushroom that has been clinically proven to have anti-cancer properties. In a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers found that oral administration of soluble β‐glucans extracted from Grifola frondosa induced a systemic antitumor immune response and decreased immunosuppression in tumour-bearing mice.
The study demonstrated that the oral administration of MD-Fraction, a highly purified soluble β-glucan derived from Grifola frondosa, significantly inhibited tumour growth in murine tumour models. After oral administration, the MD-Fraction was captured by antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) present in the Peyer's patch. This activation of DCs induced a systemic immune response, leading to a decrease in the number of tumour-causing immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
The therapeutic response of orally administered MD-Fraction was associated with induced systemic tumour-antigen-specific T cell responses, increased infiltration of activated T cells into the tumour, and a decrease in immunosuppressive cells. These results suggest that MD-Fraction is a useful oral therapeutic agent for managing cancer patients.
Furthermore, Grifola frondosa has been shown to enhance the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy drugs. A paper by Nanba et al. reported that the use of MD-fraction and whole G. frondosa fruiting body powder improved the condition of cancer patients who had discontinued chemotherapy due to side effects. Additionally, Grifola frondosa was found to increase the benefit of chemotherapy by an additional 12-28%. These findings suggest that Grifola frondosa may play a crucial role in improving cancer treatment outcomes when used in combination with conventional therapies.
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Frequently asked questions
Reishi, Royal Sun Mushroom, Maitake, Coriolus, Pleurotus, and Lion’s Mane are some mushrooms that have been used to treat lung cancer.
Mushrooms are packed with vitamin D, which is essential for the immune system. They also contain beta glucans, which stimulate the human immune system.
Yes, there have been several studies conducted on the effects of mushrooms on lung cancer. Laboratory and animal studies have tested the effects of the active ingredients in reishi mushrooms on lung cancer. Studies in China and Japan have also been conducted, which suggest that reishi may help strengthen the immune system in patients with lung cancer.
Yes, in some cases, mushrooms have caused adverse reactions such as liver or kidney toxicity. However, these side effects tend to be mild or moderate and are not normally severe.
It is important to talk to your doctor before using mushrooms for lung cancer treatment. Mushrooms contain potent biological compounds and should be treated like medication. Your doctor can help you understand the pros and cons, as well as the limitations of the research.
