Shitake Mushroom 90 Caps From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Shiitake mushroom) Jump to: navigation, search Shiitake Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota Class: Agaricomycetes Order: Agaricales Family: Tricholomataceae or Marasmiaceae or Omphalotaceae Genus: Lentinula Species: L. edodes Binomial name Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler Mycological characteristics for Lentinula edodes gills on hymenium cap is convex hymenium is free stipe is bare spore print is white or buff ecology is saprotrophic edibility: choice The shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries, as well as being dried and exported to many countries around the world.

Each capsule supplies: Shiitake Mushroom Powder (aerial part) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 mg

RECOMMENDATION: One (1) to four (4) capsules between meals as a dietary supplement or as oterwise directed by a healthcare professional.

Contains: 90 Capsules

From Wikepedia Medicinal use Shiitake mushrooms have been researched for their medicinal benefits, most notably their anti-tumor properties in laboratory mice. These studies have also identified the polysaccharide lentinan, a (1-3) â-D-glucan, as the active compound responsible for the anti-tumor effects.[3] In fact, some countries classify lentinan as a clinical drug.[4] The speculative anti-cancer properties of this mushroom are thought to be linked to upregulation of the immune system. An in vitro study supports this idea, by showing a chemical in shittake could activate various components of the immune system, including Nk cells. T cells, macrophages, and interleukin-6.[5] In an experiment with human colon cancer cells, shiitake exhibited strong anti-cancer properties.[6][4]

Immune system enhancement may not be the only possible anti-cancer mechanism of shiitake. An in vitro study revealed shittake could induce selective apoptosis in murine melanoma cells.[7]

Extracts from shiitake mushrooms (such as ichtyol) have also been researched for many other immunological benefits, ranging from anti-viral properties to possible treatments for severe allergies, as well as arthritis.[8]

Lenthionine, a key flavour compound of shiitake, also inhibits platelet aggregation, so it is a promising treatment for thrombosis.[9] Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is an alpha glucan rich nutritional supplement produced from the mycelia of Lentinula edodes of the basidiomycete family of mushrooms.[10] The immunological effect of AHCC has been studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 21 healthy volunteers.[11] The AHCC group showed a significantly higher number of total dendritic cells compared with baseline, a significantly higher number of DC1 cells compared with baseline, a significantly higher number of DC2 cells compared with controls, and a significantly increased mixed-leukocyte reaction compared with controls. There was no significant difference in cytokine production, NK cell activity or other immune function parameters between the two groups.

Shiitake are also one of a few known natural sources of vegan and kosher vitamin D (vitamin D2).

[edit] Anti-bacterial and Anti-viral Research Chemicals naturally present in shiitake have demonstrated anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties in laboratory research. An in vitro experiment on Vero cells, showed that shiitake inhibited the release of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).[12]

Lentin, a chemical naturally occurring in shiitake, has strong anti-fungal properties and in vitro research has shown it can inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus-1.[13][14] Data for shiitake's effect on human HIV treatment is extremely limited, but one study produced promising data.[15]

Shiitake possess multiple chemicals which have demonstrated antibacterial[16][17][18] and antiviral[5] properties.

Researchers have identified a proteinase inhibitor inhibitor in shiitake.[19]