Mushrooms Prevent And Fight Cancer
Mushrooms have been studied for their potential anti-cancer properties due to their rich content of bioactive compounds, including beta-glucans, polysaccharides, triterpenes, lectins, and phenolic compounds.
Some ways in which mushrooms may fight and prevent cancer include:
Boosting the immune system: Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which are complex sugars that stimulate the immune system. This immune-stimulating effect may help the body fight cancer cells more effectively.
Lectins found in mushrooms help the immune system to identify and destroy abnormal and cancer cells by labeling them! something similar to a laser guided missile locking on to a target. Check this article published in Molecules:
Inhibiting tumor growth: Some compounds found in mushrooms have been shown to have anti-tumor properties. For example, polysaccharides like beta-glucans can inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells. Mushrooms also protect our cells against DNA damage Check these Research 1 and Research 2.
Antioxidants: Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants such as ergothioneine, selenium, and phenolic compounds. Antioxidants can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of cancer.
Inducing apoptosis: Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is a natural process by which cells die off when they are no longer needed. Some compounds in mushrooms can induce apoptosis in cancer cells, which can help prevent the growth and spread of cancer.
Numerous studies have shown that mushrooms help fight breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, uterine cervix cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and acute leukemia.
One study conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia in Perth examined 2,000 women and found that those who consumed at least 10g of fresh mushrooms per day were 64% less likely to develop breast cancer. Another study published in 2010 in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine tested five types of mushrooms, including oyster, maitake, crimini, portabella, and white button, and found that they all "significantly suppressed" breast cancer cell growth and reproduction, indicating that both common and specialty mushrooms may offer protection against breast cancer.
Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, contain lentinan, a type of polysaccharide that has anti-tumor effects! The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes that lentinan may help prolong the survival of patients with certain cancers when used in combination with chemotherapy. In Japan, lentinan has been approved as an adjuvant for stomach cancer since 1985 due to its anti-tumor effects. Although lentinan does not directly kill cancer cells, it enhances the immune system, which may slow down the growth of tumors. Additionally, laboratory studies have shown that lentinan has direct antiviral and antimicrobial effects.
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