The Best Mushroom for Lung Cancer

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly called reishi mushroom, is renown for its effects on lung cancer cells. It is believed that certain bioactive metabolites and polysaccharides may account for the antitumoral activities of reshi mushroom, according to Drugs.com. These compounds exert their anti-cancer effects mainly via an immune-modulatory mechanism. Reishi mushroom appears to be safe; however, you should consult with your doctor before supplementing with this fungus.

Programmed Cell Death
Animal studies suggest that reishi mushroom may protect against lung cancer, according to Bellarmine University. It exerts an anti-proliferative effect, possibly through induction of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, study findings have suggested. Phytochemicals from reishi mushroom, especially triterpenoid, may also directly suppresses the growth and invasive behavior of lung cancer cells, says Dr. Sanda Zolj, Ph.D., a reishi mushroom researcher at the Bellarmine University.

NF-kB
Ganoderma lucidum extract inhibits lung cancer growth through a nuclear factor-kappa-B-dependent mechanism, notes D. Silva, a cancer researcher at the Methodist Research Institute in Illinois. NF-kappa-B, a protein complex, is found in almost all cell types and controls many biological processes including inflammation, cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.

Angiogenesis
In a 2005 study published in "Nutrition and Cancer" journal by J.W. Yuen and M.D. Gohel of the Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute University in China, Ganoderma lucidum exhibited an anti-tumor effect on lung tumor cells in vitro through both enhanced cytotoxic activity and anti-angiogenesis effect. Angiogenesis is the growth of new capillary blood vessels that provide tumor cells with oxygen and nutrients, allowing them to grow and multiply.

Precautions
Some people experience side effects from the use of reishi mushroom. These include dizziness, dry mouth, stomach upset, nosebleed, bone pain, skin irritation, diarrhea, and constipation. Ganoderma lucidum also blocks blood clotting by obstructing the platelets, thus increasing the risk of bleeding. People with bleeding disorders should not consume Ganoderma lucidum without first talking to their physicians.