My first experience with chemotherapy was a rough one. I felt poisoned; the side effects saw me ending up in hospital with infected blood clots in my arms. I wasn’t even sure it was doing me any good. While in my first remission, a friend told me about the cancer prevention qualities of Reishi mushrooms. I also saw a documentary on Netflix called Fantastic Fungi. The documentary included a case study of the medicinal power of mushrooms when taken in tandem with chemotherapy.
When I got the second diagnosis and was facing back into chemotherapy, I searched online for medicinal mushrooms suppliers. On Dr Alla’s Medi Mushrooms site, I found a specific protocol for Bladder Cancer. I reached out to Dr Alla and started the mushrooms at the same time I started chemo. This time I tolerated the chemo without any complications. Not only that, but the mushrooms contributed to the remission of the disease.
Introduction
In Asia, traditional practitioners have used medicinal mushrooms to treat diseases for hundreds of years. Medicinal mushrooms as an addition to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China attained approval over 30 years ago. Either alone or combined with radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Some of the more familiar mushrooms to treat cancer in Asia include Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, Maitake and Cordyceps. Studies show that mushrooms support the immune system in stopping or slowing the growth of tumours. The active ingredient in mushrooms that fight cancer is Beta-glucans.
Beta glucans – the science
Beta-glucans are sugar compounds found in bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae and plants. They enhance the activity of natural killer cells, a part of the immune system that recognises and attacks cancer cells. Beta-glucans are first absorbed in the small intestine. They then enter into circulation, where they interact with the immune system.
Once they are in the immune system, beta-glucans enhance immune activation, which translates into anti-cancer activity. They also spur immune cells to produce anti-cancer compounds called cytokines, which regulate inflammation and help the immune system fight diseases such as cancer. Numerous scientific studies back this reported benefit up.
A 2021 systematic review of studies on beta-glucans for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy reported reduced immune system depression and better recovery of white blood cell counts in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. My immune system remained strong during my chemotherapy in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic whilst taking medicinal mushrooms.
Studies suggest diets containing beta-glucans may prevent or slow cancer development, according to a 2019 review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
A 2012 study published in the journal Surgery Today shows that Japan approved a mushroom-derived beta-glucan for use with chemotherapy to treat and prolong remission for patients with cancer.
According to a 2009 review published in the Journal of Hematology and Oncology, a study review found a beta-glucan extract shrunk tumours in more than 60% of participants.
In addition, beta-glucans train the immune system to exert anti-tumour activity. Beta-glucans are beneficial for enhancing immunotherapy as well as chemotherapy.
Edible plants and fungi that contain beta-glucan include:
- Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushroom
- Oats, barley, wheat, rye and sorghum grains
- Seaweed
- Algae
- Brewer’s and baker’s yeast
As well as taking medicinal mushroom supplements, I also ate whole mushrooms, oats, sorghum and seaweed in the form of Nori while undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
One of the benefits of taking medicinal mushrooms as a supplement as opposed to beta-glucans on their own is that you get the holistic benefits of the mushrooms beyond beta-glucans.
Mushrooms for bladder cancer
The medicinal mushrooms I took for fighting bladder cancer and in support of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as advised by my health consultant, Dr Alla included:
- Reishi
- Maitake
- Shiitake
- Cordyceps
Reishi
Used for more than 4000 years in Asia, Reishi is one of the most respected medicinal mushrooms of modern times. Reishi mushroom grows on decaying logs in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea in densely wooded mountains with high humidity and dim light.
Among its many health benefits, it has specific benefits for cancer patients. It has an anti-tumour effect by boosting the immune system. It also promotes interferon-inducing activity, stimulating the cancer cells’ apoptosis and cytotoxic effect. It also reinforces the membrane of the cancerous cells to prevent them from spreading. This property was of particular importance in my case, where I already had metastatic cancer and wanted to reverse the spread of cancer.
As well as working directly on the cancer cells, Reishi also had benefits for patients like myself who undergo chemotherapy. Reishi reduces the side effects of chemotherapy and increases the treatment’s effectiveness. I can certainly attest to Reishi’s benefits when undergoing chemotherapy compared to not taking it during chemotherapy. My first experience with chemotherapy without medicinal mushrooms in 2019 was horrendous. My second experience was like an armchair ride comparison while taking medicinal mushrooms.
In addition, Reishi is an effective supplement in cancer prevention. This property of Reishi is something I wished I’d known before I got cancer. It may not have prevented my cancer, but it may have made it more manageable in 2019 and stopped it from spreading in 2022.
Maitake
Maitake may be less well known than its brethren Shiitake and Reishi in the West, but it packs a punch. Maitake mushrooms are well known in Asia as food that maintains good health, sustains a strong spirit, preserves youth, and prolongs longevity. The maitake mushroom is Indigenous to the northeastern part of Japan. It grows in clusters near the roots of stone fruit trees but mainly at the foot of giant oak trees.
Of particular interest to cancer patients, Maitake strengthens the immune system in fighting the growth of tumour cells.
It also stimulates the building of a robust immune system to ensure the body’s endurance against infections and viral diseases. I undertook chemotherapy during the pandemic in Australia when I was susceptible to both viral and bacterial infections. I managed to make it through unscathed, thanks to supplements like Maitake supporting my immune system.
Maitake also works on improving the function of the gastrointestinal system, which is also beneficial during chemotherapy.
Shiitake
Of all the medicinal Mushrooms, Shiitake is well-known in the West as an edible variety. Shiitake represents a symbol of longevity in Asia. Wild shiitake mushrooms are native to Japan, China and other Asian countries. In the wild, the shiitake mushroom grows on the trunks, stumps or fallen hardwoods.
The bioactive properties and health benefits of Shiitake that are of interest to cancer patients include:
- Stimulates the function of the immune depressed system
- Prevents the increase of chromosomal damage induced by anti-cancer drugs
- Reduced side effects from radiation and chemotherapy
- Strengthens the liver and improves the detoxification of the liver
Shiitake mushrooms are highly nutritious. It has enough nutritional benefits to serve as a main dish. When other foods repulsed me during chemotherapy, shiitake mushrooms were a welcome addition to my diet.
Cordyceps
Not a mushroom but a fungus, Cordyceps, is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It grows in the mountains of Tibet, Nepal, China, India and Japan at altitudes of up to 4000 metres. Unlike most medicinal mushrooms that grow out of logs, like the best from Alien, it sprouts out of dead worms or insects.
Cordyceps has an anti-tumour effect that boosts the function of the depressed immune system. It also reduces the number of red blood cells impacted by chemotherapy. In addition, it has antioxidant and liver protection properties.
Additional benefits
In addition to the benefits of mushrooms for fighting cancer and mitigating the worst side effects of chemotherapy, I found mushrooms assisted my general health. In October 2021, my health was in decline. I had stage IV Metastatic bladder cancer, for which my oncologist had prescribed steroids. I had bleeding hemorrhoids, severe reflux, a poor appetite, and I was starting to lose control of my bowel function.
Within weeks of starting on mushrooms in November 2021, all those symptoms began to wane. I was able to come off the steroids. By February 2022, my cancer had gone into partial remission, all the associated symptoms had gone, and by June 2022, I was in complete remission. Another benefit of taking mushrooms is that I no longer have to take my asthma medication.
Side effects
Like all medicines and supplements, there are potential side effects of Beta Glucans. I haven’t experienced any of the common side effects of the documented side effects.
Possible side effects of Beta Glucan supplements include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Possible side effects of intravenous Beta Glucans include:
- Back and joint pain
- Fever and chills
- Excessive urination
- Diarrhea
- Changes in blood pressure
- Skin rashes
- Swollen lymph nodes
I may have experienced some intravenous side effects, including excessive urination and skin rashes due to the high dosage of mushroom supplements I was on. However, none of these side effects have been severe. These symptoms could also be attributed to chemotherapy or other supplements.
Conclusion
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that certain medicinal mushrooms contain specific beta-glucans that can fight and shrink cancer cells. My own experience left me doubtless that taking medicinal mushrooms can enhance the effectiveness and mitigate the side effects of conventional cancer treatments.
References
- Mushrooms: Pharmacological Wonders; Available from URL: https://fantasticfungi.com/book/
- Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Patient Version; Available from URL: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/mushrooms-pdq#:~:text=Reishi%20has%20been%20used%20as, receive%20chemotherapy%20or%20radiation%20therapy
- Beta Glucan and Mesothelioma; Available from URL: https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/alternative/dietary-supplements/beta-glucan/
- Beta-Glucan Trains The Immune System To Attack Cancer; Available from URL: https://www.creative-diagnostics.com/blog/index.php/beta-glucan-trains-the-immune-system-to-attack-cancer/#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20agonist%20agents%20that, tumors%20is%20still%20not%20clear.
- Natural Dietary Supplements — Medicinal Mushrooms; Available at URL: https://medimushrooms.com/medicinal-mushrooms/
