Mushrooms such as cordyceps, maitake, reishi, turkey tail and shiitake are known for their anticancer properties. These mushrooms contain components which boost immunity while killing cancer cells.
Researchers at City of Hope studied prostate cancer patients who received mushroom extract. They observed that this common fungus significantly reduced their PSA blood levels – the protein associated with prostate cancer.
Medicinal mushrooms
Mushrooms have long been utilized as natural medicines. Many different species have been utilized by Chinese and other traditional practitioners as natural cures, while researchers have recently identified mushrooms as improving parts of the immune system while helping fight cancer cells; researchers are currently investigating whether mushrooms or mushroom extracts could prevent or treat cancer altogether.
Recent research conducted at Columbia University concluded that people who consume mushrooms regularly are at reduced risk of prostate cancer. Researchers analyzed data from Miyagi and Ohsaki cohort studies, comprising 36,000 Japanese men between 40-79, which found those who consumed mushrooms weekly had an 8% reduced risk compared to those who didn’t; those eating three or more times per week saw even greater reduction.
Researchers discovered that mushrooms could lower levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), an indicator of tumor development. Shiitake mushrooms in particular could decrease PSA levels while also inhibiting tumor progression; their composition includes lentinan which activates immunity against tumors and destroys them more effectively.
Reishi mushroom has also been shown to possess anticancer properties, providing polysaccharides, ganoderic acids and triterpenes with several health-promoting benefits that have long been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for treating prostate cancer. Unfortunately there is no definitive proof that using Reishi could treat prostate cancer directly; however it could have positive impacts on immunity systems in general.
Other medicinal mushrooms currently being researched and tested include lion’s mane and maitake. Both varieties contain abundant amounts of b 1-3 and b 1-6 D-glucans, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, isoflavonoids, essential amino acids, ergosterols, ergothioneine, vitamin D3 and conjugated linoleic acid which may all help prevent prostate cancer by blocking androgen receptors which stimulate cell growth; some compounds available as supplements or injectible injection; AndosanTM which contains mycelium from Reishi and Grifola frondosa myceliums are all popular choices among researchers looking at medicinal mushrooms’ possible uses as tools against prostate cancer prevention measures;
Turkey tail mushrooms
Turkey tail mushrooms have long been recognized for their health-boosting benefits, but research shows they stand apart. Dubbed “fungal kings,” these functional mushrooms serve as natural immune system boosters to support cancer treatments and also manage stress during chemotherapy treatments. A clinical trial concluded that breast cancer patients taking turkey tail mushroom supplements recovered more quickly from treatment than those not taking such supplements.
Scientists have recently found that turkey tail mushrooms contain a compound known as polysaccharopeptide (PSP). PSP has been shown to enhance immune response while suppressing tumor growth. Studies in test tubes demonstrated it increasing activity of monocytes, NK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells as well as suppressing prostate tumor formation in mice models; making turkey tail mushrooms an ideal addition to cancer patient treatment plans.
These mushrooms are natural anti-inflammatories and can protect the body from low-grade inflammation that has an ongoing impact on its body, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer. Low-grade inflammation has been shown to be one of the primary contributors to such diseases as these.
These mushrooms contain antioxidant compounds which work to neutralize free radicals and protect DNA from damage caused by free radicals, making these mushrooms especially valuable as we age since free radicals accelerate aging processes in the body.
These mushrooms are often sold as supplements and come in capsule, powder and tincture form. When selecting turkey tail mushrooms as supplements it is best to select products which use only fruiting bodies of mushrooms for maximum concentration of beneficial compounds; supplements using mycelium, grain or any other fillers won’t offer the same advantages. When making your selection it should clearly state on its label the components and parts used within it – this ensures you make an informed decision.
White button mushrooms
Research demonstrates the many health benefits of mushrooms, including improved immune system performance, inflammation relief, reduced cancer risk and even cancer cell destruction. Not all mushrooms produce equal results – some such as Reishi and Turkey Tail mushrooms tend to be more effective. White button mushrooms have even been known to lower prostate cancer risks by decreasing prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels while increasing your body’s ability to fight cancerous cells more effectively.
Mushrooms have been shown to possess anti-cancer effects both in vitro and animal studies. These anti-cancer benefits have been linked with antioxidant properties of mushrooms, possibly stemming from their ability to block cancerous cell spread in the body. Other compounds found within mushrooms, like ergosterol peroxide, may help trigger cell death and inhibit tumor growth.
Researchers conducted two large Japanese studies that included 36,499 men between 40-79, who regularly consumed mushrooms as part of their diets. When adjusted for factors like energy use, meat/veggie intake and mushroom type eaten – those who consumed more mushrooms had a significantly decreased risk of prostate cancer development.
The authors of the study concluded that the mushrooms under investigation were white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Extracts derived from these mushrooms were studied extensively, and found to effectively inhibit prostate cancer cells’ response to androgen hormone, which can promote tumor formation. They also observed lowered PSA levels among certain patients after taking extracts.
An ongoing clinical trial to test white button mushroom-derived tablets among 132 men who have received prior surgery and radiation will focus on PSA levels as well as other indicators of cancer recurrence. The researchers will monitor changes in PSA levels as well as any indicators for prostate cancer recurrence.
This study’s results may lead to a new treatment option for prostate cancer. Although too soon for clinical application, their findings show promise and warrant further exploration into medicinal mushrooms’ ability to combat this form of cancer.
Shiitake mushrooms
Mushrooms have long been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine as medicine. While various species and extracts have shown promising immune-enhancing effects, researchers are currently exploring whether certain compounds from mushrooms could also kill cancer cells.
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are well known for their anticancer properties, with polysaccharides stimulating immune cells to combat cancerous cells and inhibit their spread through the body. Furthermore, this mushroom also contains the enzyme Luciferase that causes cancer cells to self-destruct through self-destruction processes.
Researchers discovered that men who consume mushrooms regularly are at a lower risk for prostate cancer than those who don’t – even after considering other factors, such as family history of the disease, exercise level and intake of meat, dairy and alcohol. Researchers believe the natural antioxidants present in mushrooms protect against prostate cancer by suppressing inflammation and increasing apoptosis in cells; other studies indicate fungi could also help fight other forms of cancers as well as support immune function.
Shiitake mushrooms may help reduce cholesterol levels as well as their cancer-fighting properties. According to one study, patients who took shiitake supplements for eight weeks found their cholesterol levels had significantly improved; researchers speculate this might be because shiitake’s ability to lower LDL (also referred to as “bad”) cholesterol may have helped in this respect.
Coriolus versicolor or turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to suppress prostate tumor growth in mice. PSP (polysaccharopeptide), an amino acid present in this species of mushroom, appears to block activation of hormone receptors found within prostate cells, according to researchers who believe this compound could become part of an alternative therapy treatment for prostate cancer.
Reishi mushrooms have long been used in China and Japan to treat lung ailments, with recent lab tests using human prostate cancer cells showing that extracts made from Reishi mushrooms were capable of killing them off. Furthermore, tests on mice demonstrated how Reishi could also strengthen their immune systems.
