The turkey tail mushrooms for cancer are multicolored fungus that grows on tree trunks and fallen trees in a wooded area, they are said to have powerful health improving properties.
They may be found in many parts of the world, including the United States.
The fungus has long been recommended as a healthful and nutritious diet component.
It contains compounds that have been shown to assist with depression, high blood pressure, and asthma.
However, this isn’t something you’ll find in your produce section, but this article will tell you where to look and, more essentially, how to do it so that you can improve your health!
What is it?
It is scientifically known as Trametes Versicolor or Coriolus Versicolor.
According to some experts, it’s one of the most frequently encountered fungi in North America.
This element is fascinating to most people since you won’t find it at the grocery store.
This is because it is more commonly used for therapeutic and medical purposes.
They have a long history used since the Han Dynasty (around 200 BC).
Since then, science has verified the rumors about what these fascinating fungi may do for individuals’ health.
The name "turkey tail" comes from the fact that they have a vivid coloration and resemble a real turkey’s tail in bands.
They are generally grey or brown, although they are always quite stunning on the cap.
In case you find them in the wild, you’ll discover that they’re covered with tiny velvety hairs as well.
Unless you adore being outside in the great outdoors, you will never encounter it in nature.
They’ve long been used for food by foragers, but you’re more likely to find them in powdered or supplemental forms.
Where is it grown?
They grow in North America in the woods.
Look for them on fallen trees or tree stumps if you want to discover them on your next trip.
You can encounter them on living trees as they grow on over 70 different hardwood species and a few conifers.
It is most likely to grow in nature from May through December, although they have been seen yearly.
They develop on shelves with caps 1 to 4 inches in width.
They are shaped like a fan and adorned with multicolored bands as much as a turkey’s tail.
Health benefits:
Loads of antioxidants
Antioxidants are well-known for their health benefits.
In other words, they’re antioxidant agents that help prevent oxidative stress-induced damage.
When there are many more free radicals attacking your cells, they are damaged, resulting in persistent inflammation.
That is frightening since chronic inflammation enables a variety of illnesses to develop.
Certain illnesses, such as stomach cancer and heart health, are at the top of that list, which is why eating more antioxidant-rich foods is more vital than ever.
Even when eating these things, though, an extra measure of protection for your health can be found in supplements that contain antioxidants.
The antioxidants in them include phenols and flavonoids, which are among the most effective types of antioxidants.
They contain more than 35 distinct phenolic compounds, according to one study.
Why is there so much fuss about phenols and flavonoids?
They promote immunity by decreasing irritation while releasing chemicals that aid in protection.
Quercetin activates the interferon-y response by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes from being released.
In general, they provide a lot of antioxidants that may be beneficial to your health.
Even if you eat a balanced diet already, they may help you get more antioxidants into your daily routine.
Boosted immunity
Take a look at how they help with immunity.
These fascinating fungi include two types of polysaccharopeptides known as krestin and polysaccharide peptides, which have powerful immune-boosting effects.
These are known as PSK and PSP, and they activate certain immune cells while reducing inflammation.
The most remarkable thing is that they boost a white blood cell that fights infection and enhances immunity.
This is why they are often encouraged to be used as anticancer medications in conjunction with conventional therapies in Asia.
Possible cancer fighter
Have you ever heard that they can be used to treat cancer?
Additionally, they have improved one’s immunity and have antitumor qualities.
PSK, which was mentioned previously, has been found in one study to stop the growth and spread of colon cancer cells.
Then there’s another polysaccharide in it that might be able to prevent certain tumors.
While the research was conducted on mice, it offers encouraging results for decreasing tumor size when taken daily.
Researchers think it’s because they boosted the mice’s immune systems.
A study comparing three different types of chemotherapy reduced the spread of cancer cells and extended survival in dogs with highly aggressive cancers.
Yes, there are numerous studies on them and their anticancer benefits conducted on people.
These are the most amazing of all since it helps with recovery from traditional cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy.
It was a 13-study trial that used it and chemotherapy on people with breast cancer, stomach cancer, and colorectal cancer.
In a 5-year follow-up, the patients who took part in this study experienced a 9% reduction in mortality compared to individuals who only received chemotherapy alone.
However, taking them might help lower cancer and other inflammatory-related illnesses risk.
Also, it can assist you if you are undergoing cancer therapies.
Helps with gut health
Since the gut’s connection to immunity and its role as a second brain have been established, everyone has been scrambling for good gut health.
Your gut’s beneficial bacteria help keep your immunity strong.
Gut bacteria communicate with your immune cells, directly influencing this system.
You’re getting prebiotics with them.
This is critical to help these good bacteria grow and thrive so that they may maintain your immune function.
According to studies, they help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria while suppressing undesirable microorganisms.
When your body is properly digesting food, you are less likely to have diarrhea or other stomach issues.
They support your immune system and reduce cholesterol, as well as suggest a decreased risk of cancer.
Possible HPV stopper
The most common sexually transmitted illness, HPV or human papillomavirus, is a virus that causes no signs in most people.
Despite this, it’s the most prevalent STI and can infect others whether or not you have any symptoms such as genital warts.
There is no known cure for the virus, and while immunizations exist, they aren’t always effective.
However, one research that involved nearly 61 individuals and was administered this kind of fungus found that most of the participants treated with it (88 percent of them) had positive outcomes, including the removal of HPV.
Inflammation reduction
It is a better source of antioxidants that can be added to your daily diet to help reduce inflammation.
Excess inflammation in the body is recognized to cause various illnesses, including diabetes and some types of cancer, in particular.
Taking something proven to reduce inflammation may help you avoid one of these diseases.
Turkey tail mushroom and cancer
They have been shown in numerous studies to have immuno-stimulating effects.
Its extract may be useful in the treatment of certain types of cancer, according to 2014 research.
The researchers evaluated studies of five types of fungus as additional cancer therapies and the common ones.
"The evidence for fungus use in cancer therapy has significantly increased," they state.
However, none of them recommend taking them as a stand-alone therapy.
Instead, the researchers have discovered that these extracts might assist patients who take them along with chemotherapy.
They contain polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK).
Two preliminary studies have shown that the combination of PSP and PSK may block cancer cell growth.
According to some studies, it’s possible that PSP can stimulate the immune system.
According to the National Cancer Institute in Japan, PSK is licensed for adjuvant cancer therapy.
The product, however, has not been approved for this purpose in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Is it safe?
The majority of research data suggest that it is safe, with only minor negative effects documented.
Some people may get digestive issues such as gas, bloating, and black feces when consuming it.
Side effects including nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite have been reported when combined with chemotherapy as a cancer therapy.
However, it’s uncertain whether the side effects were caused by it or the conventional cancer therapies utilized.
Although it has a favorable safety profile, it is vital to check with your doctor before using it.
Conclusion
It is a medicinal fungus that has a wide range of health benefits.
It’s packed with antioxidants and other compounds that may aid the immune system and even combat certain cancers.
Also, they have been shown to aid in maintaining gut health.
However, it does not cure cancer by itself.
Instead, it may be a useful component of a medical treatment strategy, under the supervision of a doctor and with their consent.
Before taking any supplement, speak to your doctor first because some can have unpleasant side effects or reactions with other medicines.
However, in combination with other treatments, Turkey Tail mushrooms for cancer may be a promising natural therapy, but proving its efficacy will require further study.
