Mushroom Supplements For Health
The mushroom species Ganoderma lucidum and turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) have long been used as medicinal herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. These mushrooms are also commonly incorporated into supplements and nutraceuticals marketed as dietary supplements, functional foods, psychopharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals, prepared from carpophores, mycelia or spore powder. These products are claimed to provide beneficial effects such as stress relief, Mushroom Supplements for Health, and mental clarity.
The Health Benefits of Mushroom Supplements
Several studies have highlighted the pharmacological properties of various mushrooms including antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, lipidaemic, and antioxidant activities. These actions are attributed to the presence of polysaccharides, peptides, proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals such as beta-glucans, ergosterol and ergothioneine, and polyphenols [2,3].
For example, the aqueous extracts of A. bisporus showed nephroprotective activity against ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria and renal dysfunction in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extracts was associated with decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin F2 receptors, as well as the inhibition of LPS-induced NO release in Caco-2 cells.
In addition, maitake (Maitake eryngii) has been shown to reduce tumor growth and inhibit tumor metastasis in cancer patients receiving conventional therapies. In a study of breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer patients, high percentages of the group treated with maitake displayed either a regression or symptom improvement. Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) has been shown to alleviate anxiety, depression and PTSD by minimizing inflammation and encouraging nerve growth, as reported in a 2021 study published in Food Chemistry Advances.