Author (mackshepperson). Submitted on Mon, 9 Jan 2012
Being stricken with cancer is difficult for any person. It affects not only the person, but his friends and relatives as well, emotionally at least. Having cancer is expensive, as conventional treatments cost thousands of dollars with no surefire success. Cancer also decreases one's lifespan. Thus, unless one recovers from cancer, which is a rare occurrence, one can expect to live for a few more years at the most. However, in the East, there is a mushroom that has been proven by some studies to give people a fighting chance against cancer.
Shiitake mushrooms have been grown for many centuries both for food and for medicinal purposes as well. These mushrooms contain lentinan which increases immune system function and has some anti-cancer properties too. Several Japanese studies have shown that lentinan can slow the growth of a tumor and even help in its regression. The studies cite the mushroom as helping the immune system create cells and proteins that attack cancer.
Some testing has been done that shows shiitake's effects on several forms of cancers. For example, with melanoma, a severe type of skin cancer, studies were done on mice suffering from the same condition. The mice were fed with shiitake extracts. Subsequent testing showed regression in tumor growth. This is because compounds found in the mushrooms help fight melanoma cancer cells.
Leukemia is a dangerous type of cancer that affects a person's blood. Luckily, a shiitake mushroom can fight this type of cancer. Research done in 2003 showed that the lentinan found in this mushroom is especially effective at fighting off growth of cancer cells in patients with leukemia. This can make conventional treatments easier and more effective as well.
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer today, and it affects a lot of women around the world. Many treatments for this type of cancer are available, but it wouldn't hurt to include a shiitake mushroom in one's diet to boost immune system function and take advantage of its anti-tumor properties. Like in other forms of cancer, lentinan can play a part in suppressing the growth of cancer cells.
Ingesting shiitake mushroom may have some minor side effects like rashes and diarrhea, but the health benefits it has and the fact that it fights cancer make taking it a good thing. Remember that even if one does not have cancer, taking it regularly may eventually prevent you from getting some forms of cancer. A healthier and stress-free life awaits with shiitake mushrooms.
If you have questions, please visit us at www.MushroomScience.com for complete details and answers.