Mushrooms and Cancer.

Transcription

1 Mushrooms and Cancer Contents Mushrooms and Cancer... 1 Mushrooms... 1 Mushrooms and Cancer... 2 Mushrooms and Immune system... 3 Mushrooms and Chemotherapy... 3 Types of Mushrooms Studied... 4 Mushrooms There are over species of different mushrooms and scientific studies on their benefits are numerous. Mushrooms contain two very important compounds that have been shown to improve the immune system and even fight cancer. These compounds are called beta-glucans and polysaccharides. 1 Certain medicinal mushrooms have been shown to be highly effective in boosting the immune system and fighting cancer at the same time. Their power to boost the immune system stems from the beta glucan compound they contain. 1

2 Mushrooms and Cancer Certain types of mushrooms have powerful abilities to stimulate the immune system so it s no wonder that certain types of mushrooms also have the ability to fight or treat cancers. There are over 52 studies on shiitake and cancer alone and over 1000 studies on mushrooms and cancer in general. 2 The power of certain varieties of mushrooms to prevent and fight cancer have been studied and some of the cancer studies include: Mushrooms improved quality of life and immune system in breast cancer patients: In a breast cancer study done on 28 breast cancer patients, patients were first given hormone therapy for 4 weeks and then they were given hormone treatment along with an extract of Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) or shitake mushrooms. After the LEM extract researchers concluded, improvements were noted in quality of life and cytokine levels. An improvement in cyrokine levels would indicate an improved immune system response within the patients. 3 In a study on mice, shiitake improved the immune system and helped kill cancer cells - Shiitake enhanced immunity and had cancer killing actions in mice. 4 In a study on mice, maitake mushrooms increased the effects of chemotherapy and thus suggested lower doses could be required -. Maitake D-Fraction enhances antitumor effects and reduces immunosuppression by mitomycin-c in tumor-bearing mice. These results suggest that D-Fraction can decrease the effective dosage in tumor-bearing mice by increasing the proliferation, differentiation, and activation of immunocompetent cells and thus provide a potential clinical benefit for patients with cancer. 5 Mushrooms and Inflammation Studies suggest that part of the reason why mushrooms help the immune system is due to the fact that they are also powerful anti-inflammatories. There are hundreds of studies on the immune effects of mushrooms. 6 Here are some of the studies: In a lab study mushrooms showed anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the compounds are destroyed by cooking so its best to consume them raw : Anti

3 inflammatory effects of five commercially available mushroom species determined in lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ activated murine macrophages. 7 Mushrooms have powerful anti-infammatory properties and may help to prevent side effects of chemo and prevent liver cancer from progressing - Shiitake protects the liver and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects Mushrooms containing anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation activities might be used for alleviating side effects of chemotherapy and preventing the progression of liver cancer for patients with chronic hepatitis. Liver protective effect of Lentinula edodes mycelia(lem). 8 Mushrooms and Immune system Mushrooms of the various varieties have powerful immune boosting properties. Over 500 studies are listed for searching mushrooms and the immune system. 9 Here are some of the studies: In a review on the properties of Maitake mushrooms, researchers showed that these mushrooms, induced interferon-γ secretion by murine splenocytes and natural killer cells and activated the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells 10 Shiitake enhanced immunity and had cancer killing actions in mice. Our findings revealed that the involved antitumor mechanisms possibly in part were mediated not only by enhancing the immunity but also by directly killing the tumor and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis in H22-bearing mice. 11 More and more studies are showing that mushrooms are a powerful immune system boosting food or supplement. Mushrooms and Chemotherapy There are over 52 studies on shiitake and cancer alone and over 1000 studies on mushrooms and cancer in general. 12 From Cancer.org The maitake mushroom itself has been used as food for centuries and is generally presumed to be safe. So far, studies have not shown any adverse effects

4 from maitake D-fraction or beta glucan, but human studies of their effectiveness in treating cancer have not yet been completed. 13 Shiitake and Maitake enhanced the effect of 5FU chemotherapy. Polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes and Tricholoma matsutake could enhance the efficacy of 5-FUmediated H22 cell growth inhibition. 14 Shiitake enhanced immunity and had cancer killing actions in mice. Our findings revealed that the involved antitumor mechanisms possibly in part were mediated not only by enhancing the immunity but also by directly killing the tumor and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis in H22-bearing mice. 15 Types of Mushrooms Studied Mushrooms studied for their immunity enhancing and cancer fighting properties include: Grifola frondosa Maitake, hen-of-the-woods, ram's head and sheep's head Lentinula edodes mycelia Shitake mushrooms Agaricus blazei known as almond mushroom, mushroom of the sun, God's mushroom, mushroom of life, royal sun agaricus Agrocybe aegerita - poplar mushroom or velvet pioppini 16 Dictyophora indusiata - bamboo fungus, bamboo pith, long net stinkhorn, crinoline stinkhorn or veiled lady 17 Adding mushrooms to your diet could help you in the fight but it is important to note that foods are medicine too, so if you plant to add an abundance of mushrooms, then always check with your nutritionist or cancer care specialist to ensure its fine with your current medications. Adding Shiitake and Maitake Mushrooms to your diet These are delicious in salads, stew, mushroom soup and other dishes. Adding generous amounts to your diet can only be beneficial dietandnutrition/maitake-mushrooms

5 Shiitake is also available in supplement form from most health stores. Whilst there are no warnings for these supplements other than possible skin reaction (dermatitis), once again it is good to discuss all supplements with your health care practitioner. Warnings and Side Effects There do not seem to be warnings or side effects associated with adding these mushrooms to your diet. Long term use of supplements have not been studied. It should be noted that cooking the mushrooms reduces the effectiveness of the active ingredients in the mushrooms to its best to consume them raw.