The medicinal mushrooms and their effects

The active ingredients in medicinal mushrooms stimulate the body’s immune system and inhibit the formation, growth and spread of tumours without side effects.

Traditional healers in the Far East have long used certain mushrooms to treat various illnesses. They chose these medicinal mushrooms for their immune-boosting properties and healing effects.

In addition to their special properties, these medical mushrooms supply the body with the necessary nutrients: vitamins, minerals, and proteins. These compounds are essential for the body’s energy production and the proper functioning of cells. Each mushroom has different beneficial properties. The most important for us are those that can be used in the fight against cancer.

Researchers around the world increasingly study medicinal mushrooms and their health effects. They rely on thousands of years of traditional use, which helps reduce the risk of unexpected side effects.

Several countries, including Japan, have already approved specific mushroom-derived polysaccharides as antitumor drugs. These natural plant compounds continue to gain attention for their unique medicinal properties.

In terms of their effect, the special polysaccharides can, among other things, cut off the blood supply of tumor cells and activate the tumor-killing functions of NK and phagocytic cells, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin levels, thereby promoting the recovery of patients.

Medicinal mushrooms in K9 products

(K9 INU®, K9 INUExtra®, K9 INUFactor®, K9 INUFlex®, K9 Immunity™, K9 Immunity Plus™, K9 Full Flex™)

Agaricus blazei Murill – Almond mushroom

Approximately 60 years ago, in 1945, an American mycologist named William Alphonso Murill described for the first time a white-stemmed, brown-hatted mushroom as a new, until then unknown species in Florida. This mushroom quickly became popular around the world with its decorative appearance, pleasant smell and taste reminiscent of almonds and marzipan.

Agaricus blazei has become one of the most intensively researched species today. It has been proven to have a positive effect on healing in some bacterial and viral diseases. It is also a complementary treatment for certain cancers and can be consumed by diabetics. This is one of the reasons why the dried, encapsulated products made from this mushroom have become very popular all over the world.

Active ingredients of the mushroom

• Polysaccharides: It contains 23.5 times more lentinan than the average mushroom. It has been used in Japan since 1985 as a medicine to treat various cancers and other immune deficiencies.
• Steroids: They were able to extract 6 types of steroids from the body of the mushroom
• Lipids and lectins

Effects attributed to the medicinal mushroom

• increases the immune system’s defences
• reduces cholesterol levels
• has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system
• improves liver function
• reduces insulin resistance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaricus_blazei
http://findmeacure.com/2010/05/27/agaricus-blazei-mushroom/

Cordyceps (sinensis & militaris)

Since ancient times, the cordyceps has been classified as one of the most valuable materials in Asia – Cordyceps was even more expensive than silver! In the highlands of Tibet, the fungus develops underground by parasitizing the larvae of a certain insect until it grows out of the ground. A well-known figure in ancient Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis, i.e. the Chinese caterpillar fungus, reduced the growth of cancerous tumors in laboratory experiments. The Cordyceps mushroom is used in several countries as an alternative preparation to alleviate the side effects of radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

But researchers at the University of Nottingham have shown that cordycepin, the active ingredient in Chinese caterpillar fungus, can slow the growth of tumour cells.

This effect can occur in two ways, depending on the dose the patient receives:

• At low doses, cordycepin interferes with the function of mRNA (messenger RNA), which encourages the tumor cell to build protein.
• In larger doses, the Cordyceps mushroom extract directly stimulates the cells to produce protein.

Although these two processes are technically different, both can occur because cordycepin affects protein production in cells. According to Cancer Research UK, Cordyceps has anti-cancer, anti-tumor and anti-metastasis properties.

Chinese and Japanese researchers investigated the beneficial effects of Cordyceps sinensis on cancerous tumors. During a study, 46% of 50 lung cancer patients experienced a decrease in tumor size. According to Japanese researchers, Cordyceps sinensis increases the function of the immune system, thereby increasing the body’s resistance to cancer cells. Their claim was proven with mouse experiments. Also, Cordyceps sinensis promotes the functioning of the immune system and the body’s resistance.

(Source: Dr. Zhu at the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 1998)
http://antalvali.com/hirek/egy-igeret-a-rakkutatasban-a-cordyceps-gyogygomba.html
http://ortomolekularis.blogspot.com/2010/03/cordyceps-egy-furcsa-gomba.html

Ganoderma lucidum, Reishi, Linghzi

This medicinal mushroom is known by many names around the world. It has been considered one of the most effective medicinal plants in China for over 4000 years. The first written memories go back 2000 years.

The Ganoderma is perhaps the most widely accepted medicinal mushroom in Japan, and is believed to have the following effects:

• Reduces inflammation and relaxes smooth muscles.
• Blood sugar lowering effect – ganoderan A and B.
• Blood pressure lowering, calming effect – adenosine, triterpenes, ganoderol A and B.
• Antihistamine-like, allergy-curing effect – type C and D ganoderic acids.
• Inhibitory effect on tumour cells – ganoderic acid T and Z and giant polysaccharides.
• Cholesterol and blood fat lowering effect – ganoderic acid derivatives.

According to the extensive literature, studies have been carried out mainly on liver, lung, stomach, bowel, prostate and certain leukaemia cancers, which have led to the specific recommendation of ganoderma as an adjuvant treatment, especially in Far Eastern countries (China, Japan, Korea). In particular, these studies highlight the beta-glucan content of ganoderma and the fact that the effectiveness of beta-glucans can be increased when combined with vitamin C. The role of beta-glucans is also not negligible when analysing the effects of the fungus on tumour cells and the immune system.

http://antalvali.com/ganoderma.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganoderma_lucidum

Shiitake – Lentinula edodes

Shiitake contains high levels of potassium and phosphorus but little sodium, making it ideal for people with circulation problems. The erythadenine compound in the mushroom converts lipoproteins into less fat and more protein, which lowers blood cholesterol levels. Studies show it also reduces blood pressure and helps prevent the formation of thrombosis.

The mushroom’s health benefits come mainly from its complex carbohydrates, especially lentinan. Lentinan inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses and shows anti-tumor activity by boosting the immune system. It stimulates the production of biologically active substances and increases the activity of blood macrophages. This explains its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and bacteriostatic effects.

http://www.cordycepsreishiextracts.com/shiitake_extract_lentinula_edodes.htm

Maitake – Grifola frondosa

The medicinal properties of Grifola frondosa in various areas were recognised in the 1980s. Researchers later identified specific parts of Grifola frondosa that show anti-tumour, blood sugar lowering, liver tonic, and immune-supporting effects. The blood-lowering effect of Grifola frondosa, thanks to its high ergosterol content, can significantly contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis. Other, complex natural substances probably also contribute to its effect against osteoporosis (loss of bone mass). Grifola frondosa can be an inexpensive alternative to complementary therapies aimed at lowering blood sugar levels due to its blood sugar-lowering effect. Researchers have shown that Grifola frondosa works effectively as an adjuvant therapy for breast and lung cancer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grifola_frondosa

Turkey Tail – Trametes versicolor

Turkey tail is cultivated in several countries to produce natural beta-glucan (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP). Manufacturers use these compounds in medicines to support cancer therapy and ease treatment side effects. Doctors in Japan often prescribe PSP as an anticancer drug. Patients use turkey tail extract to reduce negative effects of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The mushroom also helps strengthen the immune system during recovery.

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/DietandNutrition/coriolus-versicolor

“The active ingredients in the mushrooms Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum and Agaricus blazei Murill stimulate the body’s immune system, which inhibits the formation, growth and spread of tumours without any harmful side effects. Surgical removal of tumours, irradiation and chemotherapy can have a very beneficial effect. It is worth mentioning that in Japan, one of the active ingredients of polysaccharides is a registered antitumour drug officially used. Since the consumption of a concentrated powder mixture of the fungi Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum and Agaricus blazei Murill, e.g. in the form of tea, provides essentially all the active ingredients, its use may be useful in promoting the recovery of cancer patients and improving their quality of life.”

(Professor Dr. József Fachet, cancer researcher, immunologist)