Can Mushrooms Benefit Breast Cancer Patients?

30 seconds

For people with cancer, medicinal mushrooms are one way to help strengthen the body’s defenses. This non-toxic therapy can boost immune function -especially important for people going through radiation or chemotherapy. Four mushrooms I have recommended for their proven anti-cancer and immune-enhancing effects are:

1. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor). This common medicinal mushroom is shown to have anti-cancer effects in ongoing research in the United States. I suggest liquid or encapsulated extracts.
2. Maitake (Grifolafrondosa). This mushroom not only has anti-cancer, anti-viral and immune-enhancing properties, but it may also help reduce blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
3. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). Animal studies have shown that reishi inhibits the growth of some malignant tumors and improves immune function – it also has natural anti-inflammatory effects as well.
4. Agaricus blazei (Agaricus brasiliensis). This mushroom contains beta glucans, a group of polysaccharides (complex sugars) that may be the reason behind its immune-boosting effects. Oncologists in Japan and Brazil use this mushroom in cancer treatment protocols.

With such potential for immune support, medicinal mushrooms should also be considered part of a daily immune program for respiratory illness support.

Today’s Health Topics

Editor's Pick

• Botox To Stop Bruxism, Teeth Grinding?

Health Focus

• A Labyrinth: Celebrating Life’s Twists & Turns

Ask Dr. Weil's Q&A

• Pharmacy Mistakes?