A fungus among us

[Guest guest]

A fungus among us: the medicinal power of mushrooms by Kim Schoenhals,

Better Nutrition > Dec, 2004

The rich, earthy flavor of mushrooms was once reserved only for royalty. In

fact, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt prohibited commoners from even touching

them. Today, commercial cultivation enables fungi fans across the globe to

enjoy the numerous edible varieties year-round. But far from being simple

delicacies, certain mushroom varieties also possess powerful medicinal

properties including immune system stimulation, reproductive benefits and

energy enhancement.

Shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient in Pacific Rim cuisine because

they add a distinct flavor to noodle and tofu dishes. In terms of health

benefits,

Lentinus edodes supplements may offer hope in the fight against cancer.

Like maitake mushrooms (see below), shiitake mushrooms contain a powerful

compound that has been studied for its health applications. Lentinan, a

polysaccharide extract of shiitake, may act as a cancer preventative,

according to research reported in the October 2002 issue of The Journal of

Alternative and Complementary Medicine. On the other hand, a human trial

published the same month in Urology indicated that stand-alone treatment

with shiitake extract was ineffective against prostate cancer.

Interestingly, Japanese researchers writing in a 2002 issue of the Journal of

Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis stated that shiitake has been proven to lower

cholesterol and inhibit tumor growth in animals. With these results in hand,

the researchers went on to demonstrate that shiitake may also prevent

atherosclerosis.

Maitake

Maitake, the " dancing mushroom, " is believed to bolster immune function and

to have therapeutic value against cancer and type 2 diabetes. The giant

mushroom's beta-glucan, or polysaccharide, constituent is frequently credited

for its immuno-stimulant properties.

Researchers reporting in the Summer 2004 issue of the Journal of Medicinal

Food noted a polysaccharide extract of maitake (as Maitake D-Fraction,

supplied by Paramus, New Jersey-based Maitake Products Inc.) increased

both innate and adaptive immune responses in mice.

Previous research appearing in the Winter 2003 issue of the same journal

indicated that maitake's immune-enhancing effects may play a role in cancer

prevention. Researchers showed that Maitake D-Fraction increased natural

killer (NE) cell function, thereby slowing cancer progression in animals.

Additional research on maitake suggests certain extracts from the mushroom

may reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Maitake SX-Fraction was shown

to reduce fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance in an animal model of

type 2 diabetes, according to 2002 research published in Research

Communications in Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology. Maitake SX-

Fraction also lowered systolic blood pressure in subjects during the study

period.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that is used in traditional Chinese medicine

(TCM). Popularly used in sexual and performance nutrition, cordyceps may

also have anticancer and antihyperglycemic properties.

TCM has long accepted cordyceps as a sexual aid, and contemporary

research supports this role. Studies appearing in the September 2003 and

July 2004 issues of Life Sciences showed that cordyceps supplementation

may be therapeutic in male reproductive health by stimulating testosterone

production.

In sports medicine, cordyceps is believed to increase endurance and energy--

however, research has not proven the efficacy of this anecdotal use of the

mushroom. While a May 2003 animal study published in Biological &

Pharmaceutical Bulletin indicated that cordyceps supplementation reduced

fatigue during exercise, two subsequently published human trials (Medicine &

Science in Sports & Exercise, March 2004; International Journal of Sport

Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, April 2004) failed to demonstrate any

benefits on endurance or energy in male cyclists.

Reishi

Similar to many mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum grows in wet climes,

commonly on decaying plant matter. Called ling zhi in TCM, reishi is

purported to promote health and longevity, lower the risk of cancer and heart

disease, and strengthen immunity, according to a study in the February 2004

issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.

In vitro results published in May 2004 in the International Journal of Oncology

showed that reishi can arrest cell proliferation and induce apoptosis (cell

death) in human prostate cancer cells. And, a polysaccharide extract of the

mushroom was declared an antitumor and antiangiogenic agent in a June

2004 issue of Aeta Pharmacologica Sinica.

Research along a different vein showed that reishi polysaccharides are

antihypoglycemic too. Animals given reishi extract exhibited lower serum

glucose and higher circulating insulin than control animals.

AHCC

Active Hexose Correlated Com pound, or AHCC (manufactured by Amino Up

Chemical in Japan and available in the United States as ImmPower from

Blauvelt, New York-based American BioSciences), is a hybridization of

several mushrooms that has proven to be a potent immune system stimulant.

AHCC's effectiveness was shown in an animal study published in the June

11, 2004 issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology. Researchers saw an

increased resistance to infection in mice fed AHCC. AHCC supplementation

also improved the prognosis of patients who underwent sturgery for liver

cancer, as noted in the July 2002 Journal of Hepatology.

Important Education

While there are several therapeutic benefits that can be gained from

mushroom supplements, knowledge is key in chousing the right product,

according to Wales, president of American BioSciences. " We want

people to become informed about all of their therapy options ... whatever your

health challenge is, the more you know, the better choices you make. "