Surprising Ways Mushroom Help Fight Cancer

Rebecca Lewis June 10, 2014

Mushroom is such a versatile food that many of us love to add in salads, sautéed dishes, soups, pasta sauces, etc. Mushrooms are really unique when it comes to classifying them into a food source. Some people consider them as ‘vegetables’. But actually, they are neither plant nor animal. Mushrooms are basically a type of fungus. And of the 140,000 species of these fungi, scientists are familiar with only 10 per cent. Currently, about a hundred species are being studied for their health benefits. And of this number, only about a dozen stands out when it comes to fighting cancer.

So in what ways do mushrooms help us fight this deadly disease?

It boosts our immune system.

Mushrooms have immune-boosting properties. One promising study showed that simply adding one to two servings of dried shiitake mushrooms to the diet have a modulating and beneficial effect on the immune system. A compound in maitake mushrooms has also been found to stimulate the immune system among breast cancer patients. Most mushrooms contain peptides, lectins, laccases, fungal proteins and other compounds that are known to promote immunity.

It boosts our vitamin D levels.

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to certain kinds of cancer. A systematic literature review of the relationship between vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders looked at 28 studies including nearly 100,000 participants. The studies revealed a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Taking white button mushroom extract was found to be as effective as taking supplemental vitamin D2 or D3.

It promotes nutrition.

Mushrooms contain a number of valuable nutrients, including protein, enzymes, B vitamins (especially niacin), and vitamin D2. One dietary analysis found that mushroom consumption was associated with better diet quality and improved nutrition.

It’s a haven of antioxidants.

Mushrooms are excellent sources of antioxidants in general. They contain contain polyphenols and selenium, which are also found in plant-based produce. Mushrooms are also rich in ergothioneine, which scientists consider a “master antioxidant”. Interestingly, it is a sulphur-containing amino acid which appears to have a very specific role in protecting our DNA from oxidative damage. In one study, when the extracts from the maitake mushrooms are combined with vitamin C, the growth of cancer cells in the bladder was reduced by 90 per cent. In some cases, this combination completely killed the cancer cells. Lentinan, a compound found in shiitake mushrooms, has been shown to increase survival rates in cancer patients.

Adding mushrooms to your diet is one simple way to boost your health. Just make sure you are using the organically grown varieties in order to avoid harmful contaminants that mushrooms absorb and concentrate from soil, air and water.