Welcome to the very latest ADACT Medical e-news. ADACT Medical is a leading authority in analysis, testing, compliance and regulatory, as well as cutting-edge research – all across a range of health-related fields, including: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical devices, Herbal medicines, Botanicals, Food supplements and vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS), Smoking cessation: Vaping, CBD, Hemp.
Here, we bring you the most recent research from the above fields and beyond as well as keeping you up to date on regulatory news. These e-news are designed to help you sort the facts from the fiction and get to the root of what’s really happening in the complex health and wellbeing landscape. This issue, authored by Damien Bové, founder of ADACT Medical focusses on the latest science behind the mushrooms.
Mushrooms – a growing health trend
Mushrooms have long been and continue to be a popular part of the diet. They are quick and easy to cook and add flavour to so many dishes including soups, salads and one pot meals. They can even be added to cakes and desserts to make things like mushroom upside-down cake or biscuits with a specialty mushroom powder such as Shiitake, providing convenience and potential health benefits if you want to get creative.
Mushrooms contain a range of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre and antioxidants. Nutritional profiles between types of mushrooms do differ but they all provide a range of health benefits from heart health to metabolic health with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune enhancing benefits. In this e-newsletter we focus on Turkey tail mushrooms as well as some of the emerging clinical research with other speciality mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Shiitake and Chaga. If you want further general information about speciality mushrooms other than Turkey Tail, you’ll find this in our earlier e-features.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Turkey tail mushrooms (scientific name: Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) are multicoloured fungi that grow in many countries including the UK and Europe. They grow throughout the year and particularly in autumn and winter on tree trunks and fallen trees in wooded areas.[1]
These mushrooms are saprotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients from decomposing matter. They break down dead wood, using it as nutrients for themselves while helping clear the forest for new growth.
Turkey tail mushrooms have a concave cup that attaches directly to the tree or log, and can be up to 10 cm wide. They have a tough and leathery texture, and are named for their variety of colours and shapes, which resemble the tail feathers of wild turkeys.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries, and are a popular ingredient in mushroom teas and tinctures. In traditional Chinese medicine, people use turkey tail extract (Yun zhi) as a treatment for respiratory conditions.
In modern times Turkey tail mushrooms are being researched for immune boosting and prebiotic properties. They contain various polysaccharides including polysaccharopeptide (PSP) , polysaccrharide–krestin (PSK) and β-1,3 and β-1,4 glucans. PSP and PSK are the main active compounds of research interest.[2] Turkey tail also contains a wide variety phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopene content with anti-inflammatory and/or antimicrobial activity.[3]
Boosting immunity
Laboratory research has shown that PSP increases monocytes – a type of white cell that reduces inflammation, fights infection and boosts immunity.[4]
PSK stimulates dendritic cells, which promote immunity to toxins and regulate the immune response. In addition, PSK activates natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that helps protect against pathogens and cancerous tumours.[5]
Gut health
Turkey tail contains prebiotics[6] which help nourish healthy gastrointestinal bacteria. Research has found that treatment with turkey tail may have a similarly positive effect on the gut microbiome as treatment with prebiotic supplements.[7] A laboratory study found that turkey tail extract modified gut bacteria composition by increasing populations of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while reducing potentially harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium and Staphylococcus. [8]A 2017 review found that turkey tail mushrooms can alter the gut microbiome and may help the gut to regulate the microbiome.[9]
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
Turkey tail may help to treat human papilloma virus (HPV). A study of 91 women with a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection found that 84.9% of those treated with a turkey tail-based vaginal gel had a normal pap smear and colposcopy 6 months after treatment. This compared to 64.5% of those who did not to use the gel. In addition, 59.6% of women treated were completely cleared of the virus compared to 41.9% of those who were not treated. [10] In a randomised controlled open label study in 41 women over 40 years Coriolous versicolor vaginal gel repaired cervical HPV lesions to a greater extent than placebo after 6 months[11] A similar study in women over 25 years showed similar results.[12]
Cancer
Like other specialty mushrooms Turkey tail is being evaluated for cancer. Laboratory research suggests an anti-cancer effect and clinical trials have been conducted. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 clinical trials (4648 cancer patients) found that turkey tail might improve overall survival and quality of life in people with cancer. [13] This is interesting research but the trials in the analysis were not methodologically robust. Anyone with cancer wishing to try speciality mushrooms should consult their oncologist as supervision is required.
Turkey Tail: supplements and tea
People should not consume turkey tail mushrooms in the wild. The soil or the area around the mushroom could be contaminated with pollutants or bacteria. In addition some types of mushrooms are poisonous and it can be difficult to know which are safe.
Turkey tail extract is available in the form of a powder, often as a supplement or as a tea. Always follow the dosage instructions carefully. It is important not to take more than the label recommends. Anyone allergic to mushrooms should avoid Turkey tail. Anyone taking medication should consult their GP.
Look for a purified turkey tail supplement or turkey tail mushrooms from a reputable source. Studies have shown purified Turkey tail to be safe with few side effects (e.g., nausea, upset stomach, bloating, heartburn).
Research roundup for speciality mushrooms
Specialty mushrooms including chaga, cordyceps, shiitake, lion’s mane, maitake and reishi as well as Turkey tail have been the subject of a huge amount of research, mostly in the laboratory. These provide mechanistic data. Much new research continues to be conducted in the laboratory and more clinical research is needed.
In a recent study published in The Journal of Neurochemistry[14] scientists from The University of Queensland reported that the active compound from lion’s mane mushrooms, Hericium erinaceus, can help enhance nerve growth and help boost memory through a novel signalling pathway in the brain leading to improved cognitive performance. Hericenones and erinacines are the two main active compounds in this mushroom that are used as cognitive enhancers.
Chaga mushroom has been the subject of a study evaluating oral cancer. Oral cancer is difficult to treat with relatively few therapeutic possibilities. Results from a laboratory study indicate that Chaga mushroom extract impedes oral cancer cell progression, by inhibiting cell cycle and proliferation, suppressing cancer cell energy metabolism, and promoting cancer cell death. These findings suggest that this extract is a promising supplementary medicine for the treatment of patients with oral cancer.[15]
Findings from a scoping review of 26 studies suggest that a variety of medicinal mushrooms have the potential to contribute to cancer treatment, preventing lymph node metastasis, prolonging overall survival, decreasing chemotherapy-induced side effects (e.g., diarrhoea, vomiting), affecting the immune system, and helping maintain immune function and quality of life in patients with certain cancers such as gastric, breast and colorectal cancer. More research is needed with human subjects using Randomised Controlled Trials with larger samples to ensure accurate outcomes and ascertain the most efficacious dosages.
Ingredients within medicinal mushrooms are being evaluated for impacts in cancer with the possibility to develop new cancer therapies from these compounds. Among the group of most promising medicinal mushrooms are Lentinula edodes, Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum, Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Agaricus blazei, and their ingredients, which are already employed in conventional cancer protocols in Asia and China.[16]
Medicinal mushrooms should not be taken by patients with cancer without consultation with the patient’s oncologist.
Ask the GP
Generally, specialty mushrooms (Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s mane, Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, and Turkey tail are safe to take, however if you are taking other medications, or have any medical conditions it’s best to check with your GP first. Although allergic reactions and upset stomach are uncommon, it is possible.
You shouldn’t ingest specialty mushroom within two weeks of surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder. If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or have an autoimmune disease, check with your doctor before use.
ADACT MEDICAL – WHO WE ARE
ADACT Medical is an authoritative voice in a complex and highly technical health world. We are one of Europe’s largest regulatory compliance specialists. We also offer a broad, and often bespoke, range of regulatory and analytical services that fulfil the demands of innovative, scientific compliance for health businesses worldwide.
Specialist testing facilities including mushrooms.
One of ADACT Medical’s areas of expertise is isolating the active compounds or chemical constituents in foods and drinks, such as mushrooms, then analysing, testing and quantifying them to ensure the desired quality, potency and purity levels. We can also do botanical and herbal fingerprinting as well as testing for pesticides and heavy metals.
We offer analytical testing from our accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratory in the UK. Our ISO17025 certified laboratory, we have tested more than 23,136 products for more than 320 clients. We do analytical testing across:
Botanicals including mushrooms Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus); Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum); Shiitake (Lentinula edodes); Chaga (Inonotus obliquus); Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis); Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) and Maitake (Grifola frondose)
Herbal Medicines including black cohosh, echinacea, milk thistle, agnus castus and passionflower
CBD – Supplements, CBD Infused Food And Novel Food Drinks
Vitamins & Minerals
Smoking Cessation Products – vapes
ADACT Medical – What Makes Us ‘Tick’
ADACT Medical is passionate about the benefits of complementary medicine including botanicals and herbal medicines and the role they can play in consumer health and self-care needs. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has rigorous quality standards but ADACT Medical agrees that quality and safety have to remain fundamental and this is where ADACT Medical comes in.
We are proud of our 20 years’ experience with pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, herbal medicines, vitamin and mineral supplements and smoking cessation. We bring affordable, high-quality science and services to companies, big and small, so they can grow their businesses and brands in the confidence that they are creating the best. As a team, we believe passionately in consumer safety and that underpins everything we do.
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