![]() ![]() Still, results from human clinical trials of mushrooms have been promising, and this growing research base has helped ignite interest in fungi-based products in the dietary and food supplement industry in the United States and other countries. More clinical trials are needed to answer some of the basic questions that arise regarding medicinal mushroom preparations, such as which species are the most effective for a certain condition, the optimal extraction methods to retain as much biological activity as possible, and the appropriate dose and dosage for a wide variety of patients. 9 Another trial found that women taking a turkey tail ( Trametes versicolor, Polyporaceae) preparation after standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy had improved immune status compared with those receiving standard care alone. 7,8 The first US National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded phase 1 studies of the anticancer and immune-supportive effects of fungal preparations in patients with breast cancer also have shown positive results. ![]() Researchers from Japan have found that certain mushroom extracts may help improve the quality of life and five-year survival rates of patients with gastrointestinal cancers undergoing chemotherapy. ![]() Many of these studies have been performed using cell culture assays and animal models, 5,6 but there is a growing body of evidence from human clinical trials as well.įor example, results from human clinical trials suggest that mushroom preparations may be beneficial as a supportive part of cancer care. 3,4 Complementing this rich history of use, numerous scientific studies have been performed on mushroom extracts for their potential health benefits. Mushrooms, such as reishi (also known as ling zhi Ganoderma lucidum, Ganodermataceae), have been used medicinally in Asia for centuries. Considering the total estimated number of fungal species (about 5.1 million), 1 it is no surprise that among them are species that produce important compounds (e.g., penicillin) that form the basis of several classes of medicinal products, such as antibiotics and immune-enhancers, as well as some species that are a danger to human health (e.g., Aspergillus and Candida species). ![]()
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