· By Richard Gray
Explore the Numerous Benefits of Agaricus Blazei Murill
Taking care of our immune systems is critical for keeping us safe from germs, viruses, and other illnesses. Adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise routine will help your immune system perform effectively. When you provide it with the fuel it requires and take care of yourself, your immune system is able to perform at its peak.
Yet, many plants found in nature also include compounds that can help strengthen the immune system. The Agaricus blazei murill, a kind of edible mushroom found naturally in Brazil, is one of the most effective botanicals for boosting the immune system.
Reishi, lion's mane, turkey tail, and Chaga mushrooms, among others, are becoming increasingly popular as word spreads about their incredible medical properties.
The Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom, sadly, is not yet a household name. Yet, it is still one of the most powerful immune-boosting mushrooms on the planet. It promotes the production of natural killer (NK) cells and cytokines that fight disease, both of which are vital to the immune system.
In this article, we will explore Agaricus blazei in-depth and show why it is our all-time favorite medicinal mushroom to work with.
What Is Agaricus Blazei?
Agaricus blazei, also called Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM), is a medicinal mushroom native to Brazil. It is popularly known as ‘Cogumelo do Sol' or “Mushroom of the Sun” in Brazil.
This mushroom has also been cultivated and used extensively in traditional Japanese medicine, where it has been given the name ‘Himematsutake' or “princess mushroom.”
It has also been given other prestigious names like “the mushroom of life” and “royal sun mushroom.” It appears that whatever culture has traditionally used this mushroom has regarded it as a powerful natural medicine that is highly revered and respected.
Though used traditionally for many years, the mushroom was discovered by Takatoshi Furumoto in 1960, a researcher who sent the mushroom to Japan in 1965 for investigation.
The mushroom is traditionally believed to fight both physical and emotional stress, stimulate the immune system, reduce cholesterol, treat circulatory and digestive problems, and fight off various diseases and infections like hepatitis, dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Agaricus blazei has powerful immunomodulatory and antimutagenic properties. These immune-boosting benefits are primarily attributed to the polysaccharides found in the mushroom.
Agaricus blazei is a medicinal mushroom that stands in its own category.
After studying the compounds in this mushroom and their benefits, it is understandable why it has been given such great praise and respected names as “the mushroom of the Gods.”
It is truly a unique and powerful mushroom.
Aside from its nutritional value Agaricus blazei Murill extract has many mind-blowing health benefits that have been said to boost natural killer cell activity, suppress tumor growth, improve immune response, and aid those with high cholesterol.
But what evidence is there from clinical studies?
This section will investigate the medicinal mushrooms supporting data and the ways in which mushroom-based remedies can improve our overall healthcare.
These Brazilian mushrooms are packed with an incredible array of nutrients, the most prominent reason for these benefits lies in their polysaccharide content, which the scientific community has credited for the mushroom’s ability to powerfully influence the immune system in a manner unique to the Agaricus blazei.
Using ethanol and hot water extracts, many in vitro experiments have shown that both the mycelial and fruiting bodies of ABM l have immunostimulant and immunomodulatory effects. However, the results are not always the same; sometimes they are different.
Innate immunity is the component of the immune system that deals with immediate defense mechanisms. It is primarily controlled by phagocytes, which are the body's first line of defense against viruses and other invading invaders.
Studies have found that immune-boosting properties of ABM come from the various beneficial polysaccharides in the form of highly structured β-glucans they contain. (1)
These compounds are well-known for their extraordinary capacity to alter the body's immune response and prevent disease. According to numerous research, the polysaccharides present in this mushroom affect the synthesis of antibodies and serve as "biological response modifiers". (2) (3) (4) (5)
These studies on cells in a lab dish and on animals show that Agaricus activates white blood cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, and natural killer cells.
Agaricus is also a "modulator and educator" of the immune system. This means that it works in a smart way. If the immune system is overstimulated, as can happen with auto-immune disorders, it attacks everything in sight, including the body's own tissues. (6)
In this case, Agaricus will turn down the immune system and retrain it so that it responds more selectively and effectively to invaders.
On the other hand, if the immune system is weak, Agaricus will boost it and make it work better so it can deal with real threats.
Due to the evidence provided, we can confidently say that ABM contains immune-boosting properties, and consuming this mushroom can benefit humans, like you and me.
Research has shown that this mushroom may have anti-inflammatory properties in humans.
According to a study published in the journal PLOS One, ingestion of AndoSan, a product derived from Agaricus Blazei Murill, was found to reduce inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. (7)
Another study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website showed that Agaricus Blazei Murill extract reduced inflammation in mice models of arthritis. (8)
The mushroom's anti-inflammatory effects are thought to be due to its polysaccharides and beta-glucans, which have immune-modulating and antioxidant properties.
While more research is needed, Agaricus Blazei Murill may be a promising natural way to help reduce inflammation in humans.
The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill has proven antitumor activity for some types of cancer, and the use of this natural product can improve health and increase cancer patient’s immunity. (9)
ABM is a known traditional remedy against cancer. The active compounds contained in it are polysaccharides, known to exert inhibitory effects against tumors indirectly by enhancing immune function. (10)
Due to the presence of its beta-glucan composition, this mushroom can be utilized as an anticancer agent. Scientists found that using certain chemicals like chloroform, n-hexane, ethylacetate, and dichloromethane to extract ABM can help fight cancer cells in MCF-7. This extract can be established as an anticancer agent in MCF-7 cells. (11)
Agaritine contained in ABM showed an antitumor effect against leukemic cells in vitro. It was very different from beta-glucan, which indirectly stops the growth of tumor cells. The way it works is through a process called apoptosis. Agaritine exerts an antitumor effect directly against leukemic tumor cells in vitro. (12)
Additionally, a steroid known as blazein obtained from this mushroom was found to promote cell death also structural variation suggestive of apoptotic chromatin condensation in lung cancer cells of humans. This chemical has also proven to work the same way on stomach cancer cells as it does on lung cancer cells. (13) (14)
ABM has also been found to induce apoptosis or programmed cell death in ovarian cancer cells of humans. (12)
ABM showed antitumor effects in mouse models of fibrosarcoma, myeloma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. It also worked against gynecological cancer and leukemia in human studies, which measured the natural killer cell activity and the quality of life. (15)
Due to the evidence provided, we can confidently say that ABM has the ability to inhibit the growth of tumors such as cancer.
Suggested reading: Can Agaricus Blazei Improve Quality Of Life During Chemotherapy?
Not only are the immune-modulating properties of Agaricus blazei of interest to those who want to maintain a strong immune system during cancer therapy, but also its ability to improve quality of life.
According to the researchers, patients who took the Agaricus blazei mushroom showed improvements in multiple areas, including appetite, hair loss, physical weakness, and emotional stability. (6)
Taken together, this suggests that supplementing with Agaricus blazei might be beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy in order to support a better quality of life.
As a supplement in general, Agaricus Blazei contains nutritionally significant nutrients, such as essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants, enzymes, dietary fibers, natural sterols, and immuno-stimulating polysaccharides.
Overall, Agaricus Blazei can be effective with preventive support in maintaining health and promoting healing through immune system enhancement.
This mushroom may have anti-obesity effects, as a study published on the NCBI website found that it reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation in mice fed a high-fat diet. (16)
The compounds responsible for these benefits are believed to be the polysaccharides and beta-glucans found in the mushroom, which have prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects, Agaricus Blazei Murill may be a natural way to support healthy digestion and metabolism in humans.
People with type 2 diabetes often have “insulin resistance.” This is the inability to use insulin properly.
A study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website showed that Agaricus blazei Murill extract reduced blood glucose (blood sugar) levels and improved glucose tolerance in mice models of type 2 diabetes. (17)
This effect may be due to the mushroom's polysaccharides and beta-glucans, which have been found to have antihyperglycemic and insulin-sensitizing properties.
Another study published on the NCBI website also found that a polysaccharide extracted from the mushroom reduced oxidative stress in diabetic rats. (17)
While more research is needed, Agaricus Blazei Murill may be a promising natural way to help reduce the risk of diabetes in humans by improving glucose metabolism and reducing oxidative stress.
In recent studies, it is reported that β-glucan extracts from Agaricus blazei Murill could reduce blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels (18) as well as insulin-like action. (19)
This is the only public evidence available to support this claim, as additional research is required on the relationship between this mushroom extract and cholesterol in both animals and people.
Hepatitis B is a global health problem. The use of complementary and alternative medicine has been popular among patients with hepatitis B.
A 1-year open-label pilot study observed whether Agaricus blazei Murill extract improves liver function in patients with hepatitis B. (20)
At the end of the study, the mean level of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase decreased from 246.0 (+/- standard deviation [SD] 138.9) to 61.3 (+/- SD 32.6) IU/L and 151.0 (+/- SD 86.9) to 46.1 (+/- SD 22.5) IU/L, respectively. (20)
Their initial observation seems to indicate the potential benefit of ABM extract in normalizing liver function of patients with hepatitis B.
They also added that more controlled studies with larger samples should be conducted in the future.
Incorporating Agaricus Blazei, or mushroom tea, into your diet is an easy and tasty way to improve your overall health.
This dietary supplement is known for its powerful antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation and boost immunity, making it a great addition to all types of diets.
There are many ways to incorporate Agaricus Blazei into your meals.
It can be enjoyed as hot tea or added to soups and smoothies.
It can also be used as a seasoning in place of salt on salads and vegetable dishes. Adding this tasteful and nutritional ingredient to your diet is a simple way to make your meals healthier without sacrificing flavor.
At NutriMyco, we’re committed to bringing you the purest, most potent Agaricus Blazei Murill mushroom extract in the world, containing more than 16 times the immune-enhancing beta-glucans of general liquid extraction.
That’s because we use an exclusive, patented liquid pressure extraction process developed by a world-renowned, industry-leading Japanese phytochemical company.
So if you’re looking for faster, more powerful benefits, NutriMyco delivers.
View our range of mushroom products!
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11482452/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2249742/#B25
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10433803
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2010.0017?journalCode=jmf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12403163
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02156.x
- http://bit.ly/3FkuKWO
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4258329/
- https://bit.ly/3ZKz35Z
- https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/fo/c6fo01332e
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- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19020714/
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- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23592663/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17309383/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3082073/#B18
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3082073/#B19
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18370584/