A new study published in the journal PLOSone provided evidence that the polysaccharopeptide (PSP) fraction of Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) inhibits the development of prostate cancer (1). There is evidence that prostate cancer originates in a subset of cells in the prostate named prostate cancer stem cells (CSC)(2), which are resistant to standard treatment approaches (3). PSP appeared to change some characteristics of the stem cells, which may have prevented the cells from becoming tumorigenic (1).
The use of Turkey Tails for cancer is not new and originated in Japanese folk medicine. Turkey Tails and their various components have been studied and used as adjunct cancer therapy in Japan for decades, demonstrating multiple beneficial effects including: Suppressed tumor growth, a slowing of advanced disease progression, Improved disease-free survival time, increased overall survival rates and improved quality of life (4-6). While it remains to be seen how these new results in prostate cancer prevention translate to human cancer outside of the laboratory, this study is in accordance with the long practiced tradition of using mushrooms to prevent cancer.
References
1. Luk, S-U, et al. (2011) PLoS One. 6(5): e19804.
2. Collins, AT, et al (2005) Cancer Research. 65: 10946-51.
3. Scopelliti, A, et al (2009) Expert Opin Biol Ther. 9: 1005-16.
4. Kidd, PM (2000) Alternative Medicine Reviews. 5: 4-27.
5. Standish, LJ, et al (2008) J Soc Integr Oncol 6: 122-8.
6. Tsang, KW, et al (2003) Respiratory Medicine. 97: 681-24.
~~~
Content © Dr. Anna Marija Helt, Osadha Natural Health, LLC. Permission to republish any of the articles or videos in full or in part online or in print must be granted by the author in writing.
The articles and videos on this website for educational purposes only & have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or to substitute for advice from a licensed healthcare provider.