IBC and mushrooms

[Midwest Alice]

I saw this and wanted to post it here to make sure our IBC er see it. I will be looking for these mushrooms.
https://cdmrpcures.org/ocs/index.php/eoh/eoh2008/paper/view/577

[Faith in Him]

Thanks, Alice. I'll be looking for them too.

Love the scripture on your signature.

[Ellie F]

Hi Alice
These mushrooms are difficult to find and take months to grow even in the right conditions. I used to take a supplement with reishi and shitake mushrooms in it. I will now look for reishi extract which will give us the concentated formula.
Cheers Ellie

[Jackie07]

I was given the dried mushroom pieces by a local Chinese friend after my first breast cancer surgery. She showed me how to cook it and the proper way to drink it. Her Mother survived 3 more years than doctors had predicted after being diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. The family swore by 'Reishi' (I only knew it by the name of 'Ling-chih' (miracle herb).

Then I found a pill form produced by one of the largest hospitals in Taiwan. www.cgb.com.tw (http://www.cgb.com.tw) I was told by a sales lady (based in New York near where one of my my relative lives) to open the capsule http://www.cgb.com.tw/j2j0/cus/cus2/pdt/pdt_kid_1_4.jsp and mix the power with a couple of once of water - thus eliminate eating the 'capsule'.

When I found the recurrence, my friends were 'stunned'. They thought the 'miracle herb' should have prevented my having cancer again. They nodded their heads after I explained to them that it was caused by the tumor not being completely resected from the lumpectomy.

What I've found is that it seems to be a very good laxative. In Chinese medicine, everything that contains ingredients that has the function of 'eliminating toxin' is considered 'cold' (as opposed to 'hot' - such as Ginseng.) I think avoiding constipation/diahrria during cancer treatment (or treatment of any type of illnesses) is very important. The 'miracle mushroom' seems to be very effective in that aspect.

[ElaineM]

I use reishi, maitake and shitake in both capsule form and in dried or fresh form almost everyday. I also eat other mushrooms as much as possible.

[Jackie07]

Elaine, hope you don't mind my copying this article from your posting in the 'Diet and Nutrition' section. I thought I'd read something about mushroom here:

AICR ScienceNow
Volume 20
Spring 2007
Inhibiting Aromatase via Foods

Blocking the production of estrogen is a relatively new drug pathway in cancer treatment. With AICR funding, a research team is finding that everyday foods may lower estrogen production in the same way.

It was only about ten years ago that aromatase inhibitors became available to treat and prevent recurrence of breast cancer. This novel class of drugs blocks the production of aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. The resulting lower amount of estrogen slows or inhibits the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast tumors. Investigating how easily accessible foods also work as aromatase inhibitors has been a major focus of the laboratory of Shiuan Chen, Ph.D., Director of the Department of Surgical Research at the City of Hope in Duarte, California.

Initially, Dr. Chen and his colleagues found that a group of phytochemicals called procyanidin B dimer - part of the polyphenol family - were potent inhibitors of aromatase. Knowing that grape seeds are a rich source of procyanidin B, the researchers tested the aromatase-inhibiting ability of 13 brands of grape seed extracts. A series of both cell and animal studies found that 10 of the brands showed at least 80 percent inhibition of aromatase. "These findings encouraged us to screen a variety of vegetables to identify dietary sources for aromatase inhibitors," Dr. Chen says.

With funding from AICR, Dr. Chen tested seven vegetable extracts and found white button mushroom extract was most effective at preventing the production of aromatase. That led to investigating other mushroom varieties. Cell studies showed that shiitake, portabello, crimini and baby button mushrooms also had the ability to inhibit aromatase activity. Dr. Chen's group decided to proceed with white button mushrooms, because they are easily available in all seasons and cost less than other mushroom varieties.

Dr. Chen determined the active chemicals in each of the tested foods that inhibit estrogen production and identified the effective dosage.

For instance, in white button mushrooms he and his colleagues have pinpointed conjugated linoleic acid as having the key anti-aromatase effect in breast cancer cells. "Elucidating the mechanisms used in suppressing aromatase activity can contribute to designing prevention strategies that inhibit the aromatase in cancer cells, while maintaining estrogen levels in normal tissues," Dr. Chen notes.

Testing in Humans Beginning
Dr. Chen's research has laid the groundwork for human studies, and he has teamed up with oncologists at City of Hope to conduct clinical trials. "We've seen what happens in the test tube and in animals, and now we want to know whether this happens in people, and the effects of different dosages," he notes.

Already under way is a Phase I prevention trial to test the effect of four different concentrations of grape seed extract on estrogen suppression in women with risk factors for breast cancer. The trial is enrolling 24 women, ages 40 to 65, who will be divided into four groups. For 12 weeks, women in each group will consume a different amount of grape seed extract, ranging from a daily dose of 50 mg to 300 mg. Researchers will collect blood samples weekly. The goal of the trial is to determine the level of estrogen suppression in each group.

Next Target: Prostate Cancer
In addition to the aromatase-inhibiting properties of the mushrooms, Dr. Chen found that the fungi contain phytochemicals that suppress the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Prior research has found 5-alpha-reductase plays a role in the development of prostate cancer. With another grant from AICR, Dr. Chen is testing how different dosages of white button mushroom extract affect the development of prostate tumors in mice.

Early results have shown the mushrooms are effective in suppressing growth of prostate cancer, and Dr. Chen is working with clinical oncologists to plan Phase I trials in humans. "An effective cancer preventive agent should not significantly alter quality of life, and needs to be safe," Dr. Chen says, adding that both grape seeds and mushrooms are also inexpensive and therefore more readily available to underserved populations.

[ElaineM]

I don't mind at all. Whatever we can eat to help ourselves is a good thing. There are many beneficial foods, including mushrooms.
The doctors can only do so much. It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves the best way we know how 24/7. Eating healthy is one way to do that.

[maouno]

I've read about chaga mushrooms from Siberia. Some kinds of mushrooms are better than other ones. but may be this one is really the best? Who knows more about this mushroom?

[Gavin121]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects at least 10 to 15% of adults. This is usually due to foods eaten, stress, anxiety, some drugs, and even hormones. People with irritable bowel syndrome may experience some or all of the following:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Gassiness
Cramps
Bloating
Nausea

[maouno]

My experience with IBS is that Acacia powder from Heather: help for IBS.com is superior and absolutely safe.
My question with the mushrooms is that as long we have to take aromasin from the oncologist it may be have an adverse reaction when we eat these more than 2 times a week or so. I would like to take these cbg.mushroom pills, but I don't dare. After the treatment during 5 years it's another question.

[Butters Stotch :)]

I've read about chaga mushrooms from Siberia. Some kinds of mushrooms are better than other ones. but may be this one is really the best? Who knows more about this mushroom?
Some people think that chaga can treat. I saw that chaga costs in US and Canada about 50$. In Russia it costs 1$. I will be glad to make a present of it to all who wants to taste it. But the delivery is too expensive. Maybe some travellers can convey it, or a stewardess or...

[ElaineM]

That is both very interesting and very kind of you. Thank you for introducing us to a new kind of mushroom.
If you can get some perhaps you should enjoy some Butters Stotch.
Perhaps Chuga mushrooms might grow in climates that are similar to the climate where they grow in Russia. It might be available for purchase in other countries. It might also be know by other names in some countries.
Since I never heard of it I was very curious and I found some information about Chuga mushrooms here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaga_mushroom
In general many kinds of mushrooms seem to have beneficial health properties. I am going to ask my naturopathic physician if he has ever heard of it.
Perhaps our resident dietician, Tanya has some information she can share with us about it.
Take good care of yourself.

[maouno]

I'm curious if your naturopathic physician knows something about the mushroom.