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Anticancer Power of Supermarket Mushrooms http://www.cancerdecisions.com/image...rintButton.png http://www.cancerdecisions.com/image...mailButton.png
Tanya,
Do you have an opinion or some data on this?
http://www.cancerdecisions.com/conte.../lang,english/
Anticancer Power of Supermarket Mushrooms http://www.cancerdecisions.com/image...rintButton.png http://www.cancerdecisions.com/image...mailButton.png
Most people have heard by now about the healing powers of exotic medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake and maitake. But what about the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), the kind that is so boringly abundant in American supermarkets? A study at City of Hope hospital suggests that it too may have anticancer effects if taken daily.
"You don't need a strong effect to cause cancer prevention. Eating 100 grams or even less of mushrooms per day could have an effect on preventing new breast cancers," said Dr. Shiuan Chen, director of the Division of Tumor Cell Biology at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in Duarte, California. Results of the ongoing study have appeared since 2006 in several leading scientific journals.

Mushroom extracts turned out to be effective aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is an enzyme that helps the body make estrogen, a hormone that feeds the growth of breast tumors. Of seven vegetables tested, mushrooms had the greatest effect. Other forms of mushrooms (such as portabello, crimini, and shiitake) also were aromatase inhibitors, so one could vary the type eaten to add a little variety to the regimen.

The button mushroom extract reduced the proliferation of breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Giving the extract to mice with breast cancer also suppressed tumor growth. Based on their laboratory experiments, the scientists estimated that 100 grams of mushrooms (less than four ounces) taken per day would probably help prevent breast cancer growth.

"Results from this and other laboratories support the hypothesis that white button mushrooms may be an important dietary constituent for reducing the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer in women," the authors wrote. "Prevention strategies involving mushrooms are readily available, affordable, and acceptable to the general public."

Many women who have completed their initial therapy for estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer take synthetic drugs for years to inhibit aromatase production. It would be most interesting to see how ordinary mushrooms compare to drugs such as anastrazole (Arimidex) in their actual anticancer ability? Anastrazole has some potentially serious adverse effects, and so dietary substitutes would be most desirable. But do not be surprised if pharmaceutical companies do not rush to do such studies. In 2007, AstraZeneca reported $1.7 billion in sales on Arimidex. This translates into a cost of several hundred dollars per month for women taking the drug. Four ounces per day of mushrooms will set you back about $15 per month, or less if you buy in bulk. From a drug company's point of view, the economics do not favor such nutritional agents.

Comparative studies of the sort I am proposing are rarely performed and when they occasionally occur are usually stacked against the less expensive approach. Oftentimes, the information we receive about cancer is inaccurate. In fact, the typical cancer patient is kept in the dark and fed a load of manure...just like the proverbial mushroom.

Elaine,
The latest research I have seen is from 2006. I just searched pubmed and didn't find anything new.
"Mushroom extracts turned out to be effective aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is an enzyme that helps the body make estrogen, a hormone that feeds the growth of breast tumors. Of seven vegetables tested, mushrooms had the greatest effect. Other forms of mushrooms (such as portabello, crimini, and shiitake) also were aromatase inhibitors, so one could vary the type eaten to add a little variety to the regimen."

In regards to the above quote it is important to consider that this statement has not been proven true in humans, only in laboratory data and thus cannot be readily applied to the population. Unfortunately, this article accurately points out that this research is unlikely to be performed anytime in the near future due to cost and limited ability to recoup costs of research (i.e. no drug to sell afterward). I encourage my breast cancer patients to consume exotic and white button mushrooms. I am unaware of a recommended "dose" for intake but believe they should be included as part of a well-balanced diet for prevention/prevention of recurrence of breast ca.

Thank you Tanya. I was surprised when I read about the claim that mushrooms are aromatase inhibitors, so I thought I would ask you about it.
I do eat several kinds of mushrooms, either lightly cooked or raw (shitake, white button, crimi, and portabella) either fresh or dried regularly. I take maitake in supplement form which my naturopath recommended for my immune system. One local store used to carry fresh maitake, but they no longer carry it. I started taking reishi in supplement form after I read that reishi can inhibit IBC breast cancer.
http://home.earthlink.net/~ckaniklidis/ibc.htm#Reishi
new) Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) Mushroom Extract
Michaela Hoffmeyer at the University of Texas and colleagues (Hoffmeyer M, Martinez-Montemayor M, Dharmawardhane SF. Investigation Of Inflammatory Breast Cancer Biology And Potential Therapeutic Approaches. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. Abstract BC031906) recently tested the hypothesis that the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects of the traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) agent Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom extract, may be effective against IBC progression and invasion, given accumulating evidence of its ability to inhibit proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of cancer cells via the triterpenes component which exhibits cytotoxicity against cancer cells at high concentrations, and component polysaccharides that are immunostimulatory. Whole Reishi extract was tested on normal mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) and IBC (SUM-149) cell lines, finding that the Reishi extract effectively inhibited proliferation of the IBC cell line, reducing cell-cell attachments and decreasing invasion of IBC cells, but not the normal mammary epithelial cell line. Reishi also down-regulated 52% of tumorigenesis genes in the IBC cells treated, and furthermore inhibited the matrix-metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. From these results, the authors concluded that Reishi inhibits IBC progression via cell proliferation reduction, prevention of tumor emboli formation, and inhibition of invasion by reduced matrix MMP levels, suggesting that Reishi extract is natural potential therapeutic effective in inhibiting IBC progression.

Not sure if this has much real meaning, but when I was diagnosed stage IV I put Shitaki mushrooms into my regular diet.

I also found a reishi tea that was very good and now can't find.

Various kinds of mushrooms became nearly daily in my diet for several years.

Gotta love the 'shrooms!

Tanya, I would like to ask you a question. Is it advisable to take dayly mushrooms or/and mushroom extract as long as I've to take Aromasin? I'm afraid that too much can have an adverse effect or is that never? I eat now two times a week mushrooms. mostly the white buttom kind. I've fear to take more, but I would like. I don't eat meat and I like them very much also. and they give me a feeling of protection, but that can be imagination. By the way, what's the best way to prepare them for maximum protection? I read Shian Chen's article and I look to everything connected with mushrooms. I drink a lot of green tea end eat broccoli sprouts, but since I'm ready with herceptin two month ago I'm more worried about diet and special about the mushroom question!

Maouno,
The research that is currently available appears to demonstrate a benefit in eating mushrooms in conjunction with Aromatose inhibitors like Aromasin. I see no reason to exclude them from your diet and in fact would recommend that they be eaten frequently. If I have read your message correctly I note that you are vegetarian. Avoiding animal fats also gives you a benefit and probable reduction in breast cancer recurrence rates. Make sure you are getting good plant-based protein sources on a daily basis (beans, nuts, legumes, etc).

Let me know if you have any other questions or if I did not fully address your original questions. I am posting a link to one of the studies on mushrooms and aromatase below.
Anti-aromatase activity of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).
Chen S, Oh SR, Phung S, Hur G, Ye JJ, Kwok SL, Shrode GE, Belury M, Adams LS, Williams D.
Cancer Res. 2006 Dec 15;66(24):12026-34.PMID: 17178902 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Tanya

Tanya, I thank you so much for your answer, it helps me a lot to know that I can eat them frequently and take even extract during aromasin. The best way to prepare the mushrooms so that they keep their maximum of health profit was a second question, but I can find it out on the net- I'll try. I'm not completely vegetarian; I eat no meat, but sea fish every week. Maybe it's better to exclude that too, because of the animal fat, but I know that fish is also very healthy. I drink only rice milk, but I eat some goat yoghurt. I'm still looking for the most fitting diet, there are too many opinions. I can change things, but I'm not strong enough to omit everything I like, for instance 85 percent chocolate, which I eat too much (a craving probably) or parmesan cheese. It depresses me to be weak.

Don't be too hard on yourself (I too am a chocolate addict!). It sounds as though you have made some great changes. I would not exclude fish from your diet. Fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, contain very beneficial fats-omega 3's. Fish in general is very lean and an excellent source of protein.
I forgot to address the cooking method portion of your questions last time. As long as you are not adding a lot of fat during the cooking method any way you prepare them should be fine (raw in a salad, cooked in a stir fry, baked and stuffed with a high fiber grain, etc.) As for the goat yogurt I would only suggest that it be a low-fat yogurt.

Hope this helps. Keep up the good work!

Tanya

At present three mushrooms are grown in India. They are white mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), the rice straw mushroom (Volvariella vovvacea) and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-cashew). Among them, A. bisporus is the most popular and economically viable to grow and are cultivated throughout the world. However, due to its low temperature requirement, its cultivation is limited to colder weather and winter in the plains of northern India.

Have you looked into a capsule of Purple Mushroom defense ? I went to a supplement expert connected with the Wellness Program at my hospital and he has suggested that for immune system . I have just started taking it . I also take a Green Tea extract capsule which is equal to 8 cups of green tea taken daily .

Be cautious with the Green Tea capsule if you are on chemotherapy. The combination is not recommended.

Could you explain please why is that combination not recommended?

Sure. Some studies have demonstrated that in combination with certain chemotherapy agents the polyphenols in green tea actually inhibit the therapeutic effect of the chemo, or make is less effective. This has especially been seen in drugs used to treat multiple myeloma and lymphoma (i.e. Velcade) and hasn't been well studied with other drugs. Given this conclusion it is advised that green tea should be used with caution. Supplemental form offers a much higher dose than a single cup of tea and thus poses as higher risk for interaction. Secondly, green tea supplements are a very concentrated source of antioxidants. While antioxidants are beneficial in many ways, they also are very effective at protecting cell walls. Some studies have shown that high antioxidants in combination with certain chemotherapy agents called alkylating agents (often used to treat breast cancer) may protect the cell walls of cancer cells and prevent the drug from being as effective.

The bottom line is that high doses of antioxidants in supplemental form are not recommended during chemotherapy. The amount in a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables is not concerning. I feel comfortable with my breast cancer patients drinking a couple cups of green tea per day but discourage green tea supplements.

I have read that maitakes are great at shrinking breast tumors. I took them during treatment (New Chapter) but can no longer afford them at close to $30 a bottle. Still, my tumor shrank...could be the mushrooms, could be a combination of good food, supplements, etc.
Lisa
www.pinkkitchen.info

I just received my Ralph Moss newsletter about an inquiry with mushrooms and other ingredients as Asperagus and tumeric and Colorius Vesicolos: PSK came ut as number one. And the Maitake mushroom also very high. PSK Trammune is to get via internet.

I'm not familiar with PSK trammune. Can you give more info, Maouno? Thx :)

Lisa
www.pinkkitchen.info

PSK trammune is a product made from the Corlorius Vesicolos, a three coloured mushroom. I read al this in the latest Moss report from Januar. I follow these, because they have the latest information. www.ralphmoss

Great, thx for the info. I'll check it out.
Lisa
www.pinkkitchen.info