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Edible Mushrooms: The Broad Range of Health Benefits

edible-mushroomsEdible mushrooms have a long history as both food and medicine. What are its health benefits? How can you safely enjoy mushrooms in food and as a supplement?

Studies have shown both in vitro and mammal studies to have potential roles in the prevention of many age-associated neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s Disease.1 Popular medicinal mushrooms include lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Sarcodon scabrosus, Antrodia camphorata, Pleurotus giganteus, maitake (Grifola frondosa), and many more.  For example, Reishi mushrooms help reduce inflammation.2

Other mushrooms as discussed below could relieve cerebral ischemic injury and slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, and have antioxidant effects, anti-neurodegenerative and anti-tumor benefits.3

Mushrooms offer important health benefits and exhibit a broad spectrum of health benefits including: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hypotensive, antidiabetic as well as supporting healthy bones, good digestion, and providing kidney support.4

What Are Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are the reproductive part of certain fungi, and are the most visible part of the organism because they are so large. The majority of the fungus grows underground or in wood as a network of root-like threads made of mycelium. When conditions are right, the mycelium network develops into a mushroom, which emerges from the ground or a tree. 

The health benefits in mushrooms are attributable to the mycelium. The makeup of the mycelium varies from species to species, providing the range of various health benefits. Their most important chemicals are polysaccharides, which provide antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activity. A polysaccharide is a carbohydrate whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together. 

Another class of compounds that is very important for mushrooms’ bioactivity is the terpenes, which help stimulate the immune system, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. 

Mushrooms are rich in proteins that have cytotoxic and anticancer properties.  

Eye Health

The optic nerve tissue is brain tissue. Therefore, nutrients that support brain health and nerve regeneration are worth considering as part of any treatment protocol.

Reishi,5 maitake,6 bitter tooth,7 and lion’s mane8  mushrooms support the health of the optic nerves. They are recommended for optic nerve atrophy because they have neurite outgrowth and neuronal health benefits. They are also recommended for any eye conditions resulting in optic nerve damage. These mushrooms may help improve circulation to the eyes. And, they help combat oxidative stress, a key contributor to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

Lion’s Mane gained attention for its potential benefits in brain health and for stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF) production.9 For example, Lion’s mane may protect optic nerves from damage and potentially even promote their regeneration, making it interesting for managing conditions like optic neuropathy. It also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. These properties may help protect the delicate structures of the eyes.

Cordyceps Mushrooms

Cordyceps Mushrooms help reduce oxidative stress and may help ease inflammation, potentially supporting treatment for various eye conditions related to inflammatory processes. 

Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster Mushrooms may help prevent cataract formation.10 The antioxidants found in oyster mushrooms help protect the lens of the eye from free radical damage, a major contributing factor to cataract development.

Brain Health

Important nutrients and foods to support brain health and neurogenesis include: acetyl-l-carnitine, apigenin, ashwagandha, choline, curcumin, ginkgo, ginseng, goji berry, grapeseed extract, green tea, gut microbiota, hesperidin, huperzine A, iron, lecithin, lotus root extract, lutein, magnesium, magnolol, melatonin, milk thistle extract, mulberry, mushrooms (lion’s mane, shiitake, reishi), olive leaf extract, omega-3s, pantethine, piperine, phosphatidylserine, pinocembrin, PQQ, quercetin, red sage (salvia), resveratrol, rhodiola, selenium, shankhpushpi, taurine, theanine, trytophan, vinpocetine, and vitamins A, B6, B12, E, and D.

Top brain foods include avocado, blueberries and other dark berries, dark chocolate, eggs, fish, fruits and vegetables, goji berry, green and black teas, mulberry, nuts, mushrooms (reiki, shitake, and lion’s mane for example), pomegranate juice, prunes, pumpkin seeds, yogurt (ideally, plain and organic), and walnuts.

Cancer

Medicinal mushrooms can be part of a cancer treatment regimen, including reducing the side effects of therapies and improving the quality of the patient’s life.11 These mushrooms are used as biological response modifiers. 

Mushrooms are high in fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs) whose mechanisms of action can be diverse.12 These include lectins which have immunomodulatory, antitumor, and antiproliferative properties.13  

Top Mushrooms for Health Support

Reishi mushrooms 

Reishi mushrooms also called Ganoderma lucidum and ling zhilong, are called the “mushroom of immortality.” Reishi mushrooms have numerous pharmacological properties, such as antiaging, anticancer, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties. These properties are due to the high levels of triterpenes/triterpenoids and polysaccharides.

Reiki mushrooms

Reiki mushrooms help suppress cell proliferation, metastasis, and invasion and by promoting apoptosis, combined with its immunomodulating, immune stimulating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. 

Shiitake mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are widely used in Japan for the treatment of cancers, especially gastric cancer, due to its immunomodulatory action.

Maitake (Grifola frondose)

Maitake is another mushroom with numberous medicinal properties. Several studies have demonstrated Maitake’s anti-turmor effects.14

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane also known as Hericium erinaceus, hou tou gu or yamabushitake, it contains many bioactive substances that are good for brain, heart and gut health. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that can stimulate the growth of brain cells.15  

This mushroom can help protect against Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which is part of what can contribute memory and mental function decline in later years.16 In mice studies, Lion’s Mane helps prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease.17

Coriolus versicolor

Coriolus versicolor commonly known as tunzhi or turkey tail, has traditionally been used as a “magic herb” in Asian regions and particularly in China. Turkey Tail mushrooms have been approved in routine clinical practice in some of these countries, especially as part of cancer therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The immunomodulatory properties of this mushroom are due to two protein-bound polysaccharides present in the fungal extract: polysaccharide peptide (PSP), and the glycoprotein PSK (krestin).  PSP possesses immunomodulating, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects, as reported by several in vitro and in vivo studies and some clinical trials, as well as reducing adverse events related to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.18  

Pleurotus Mushrooms

Although not the best-known medicinal mushrooms, the Pleurotus species also have proven biological effects, with antioxidative, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antihypercholesterolemic hepatoprotective, and antiaging properties.

Mushroom Supplements to Consider

Getting nutritionally significant amounts of mushrooms in your diet year-round is unrealistic for most people. Common white mushrooms are often at the grocery store, but the more exotic mushrooms are not – or are very expensive. Picking wild mushrooms is very dangerous and can result in poisoning. Therefore, supplements are an excellent way to take mushrooms. Capsules, powders, and pills are typical forms of mushroom supplements. 

Mushroom Master Blend 84 caps (OM6720)

Supplements for the Eyes

Brain and Memory Power Boost 120 caps

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi1 20 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply


Nitric Oxide Supplement – helps promote increased oxygen through the body and eyes.

NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps


Dr. Grossman’s Premium Turmeric Vcaps (Organic)

Cognirev Extra Strength 2 oz Oral Spray


Brain and Memory Support Package 1

Recommended Books

Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing

Natural Brain Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Other Related Diseases Naturally

Natural Parkinson’s Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Parkinson’s

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