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Shiitake mushroom

The shiitake mushroom is a fungus. An extract made from this mushroom is used as a medicine. The shiitake mush room is used to stimulate the function of the immune system, to lower cholesterol levels, to treat prostate cancer and as an anti-ageing agent. The shiitake mushroom is also consumed as a food.

How does the shiitake mushroom work?

The shiitake mush room contains chemicals that may help to lower cholesterol levels. It also contains very small amounts of a chemical that appears to prevent tumors from growing.

How effective is the shiitake mushroom?

The shiitake mush room may be ineffective when used to prevent cancer. Shiitake extract does not appear to prevent prostate cancer from progressing, at least according to laboratory tests that examined prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA levels can be used as a measure of prostate cancer progression. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of shiitake mushroom when used to lower cholesterol levels. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of shiitake mushroom in this application.

Safety and side effects

Shiitake mushroom appears to be safe and harmless when consumed in normal food quantities, but it does not appear to be safe and harmless when used as a medicine. It can cause stomach problems, blood abnormalities and inflammatory swelling of the skin. It may also increase sensitivity to sunlight, cause allergic skin reactions and cause respiratory problems.

Precautions and warnings:

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of shiitake during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid shiitake. A blood disorder called eosinophilia: You should not use shiitake mushrooms if you suffer from this disease, as it could aggravate it.

Interactions

At the moment there is no information about interactions of shiitake with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of shiitake depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for shiitake. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. deVere White RW, Hackman RM, Soares SE, et al. Effects of a mushroom mycelium extract on the treatment of prostate cancer. Urology 2002;60:640-4.
  2. Hanada K, Hashimoto I. Flagellate mushroom (shiitake) dermatitis and photosensitivity. Dermatol 1998;197:255-7.
  3. Hitosugi M, Kitamura O, Takatsu A, Yoshino Y. Autopsy case of duodenal obstruction from impacted mushroom. J Gastroenterol 1998;33:562-5.
  4. Levy AM, Kita H, Phillips SF, et al. Eosinophilia and gastrointestinal symptoms after ingestion of shiitake mushrooms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;101:613-20.
  5. Matsui S, Nakazawa T, Umegae Y, Mori M. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by shiitake mushroom spores. Intern Med 1992;31:1204-6.
  6. Murakami M, Kawabe K, Hosoi Y, et al. Decreased pulmonary perfusion in hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Shiitake mushroom spores. J Intern Med 1997;241:85-8.
  7. Nakamura T. Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1992;27:65-70.
  8. Otsuka M, Shinozuka K, Hirata G, Kunitomo M. [Influences of a shiitake (Lentinus edodes)-fructo-oligosaccharide mixture (SK-204) on experimental pulmonary thrombosis in rats]. Yakugaku Zasshi 1996;116:169-73.
  9. Ueda A, Obama K, Aoyama K, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis in shiitake (Lentinus edodes (Berk) Sing) growers. Contact Dermatitis 1992;26:228-33.