Mushrooms, especially Asian varieties, are often overlooked for their numerous health benefits, including those for men’s health. For over 6,000 years, Eastern societies have valued mushrooms for their medicinal properties. Among these, maitake, oyster, reishi, and shiitake mushrooms have been found to contain components that can contribute to men’s health, particularly prostate health.
Mushrooms and Prostate Health
Studies by Cancer Research UK demonstrate that medicinal mushrooms have various cancer-fighting properties, including inhibiting cancer spread (metastasis) and boosting the immune system to help shield against cancer. The Phellinus linteus mushroom, known as song gen in Chinese medicine and meshimakobu in Japan, has displayed the ability to slow down the growth of breast cancer cells and has shown anticancer effects on prostate cancer cells.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine tested Phellinus linteus on prostate cancer cells and discovered that the extract, when used with doxorubicin, a common chemotherapy drug, increased the number of cancer cells the drug could kill.
Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms, more familiar than other medicinal types, also have healing abilities. Extracts from reishi mushrooms have shown the ability to counter cancer spread and cancer invasion. Reishi mushroom extract has also been found to help men suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms, characteristic of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, men who took reishi mushroom extract for 12 weeks reported significant improvement over those who took a placebo.
Mushrooms were the original source of a component called ergosterol peroxide, which researchers discovered was effective against prostate cancer cells by inhibiting their growth and causing cellular suicide (apoptosis). These findings led the study’s authors to “confirm the use of mushrooms as the origin of compounds to be used as novel therapeutic agents for prostate cancer treatment.”
AHCC Extract
Another unique mushroom extract, AHCC (active hexose correlated compound), is a hybridized extract of the underground portion of shiitake mushrooms and is a rich source of alpha-glucans, which possess strong immune system–boosting advantages. So far, AHCC has shown cancer-fighting properties against various types of cancer, with its role in prostate health still under investigation.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Nutrition-wise, mushrooms are low in calories, high in fiber, cholesterol-free, fat-free, very low in sodium, and a good source of niacin, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, and vitamin D. They are a nutritious addition to any meal.
From a medicinal standpoint, experts recommend using mushroom extracts that are available as capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts, often containing more than one mushroom variety. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement program, including mushroom supplements.
For more information on men’s health, visit prostate.net.
