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10 Immune-Boosting Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom

Written by Resurchify | Updated on: November 29, 2022

10 Immune-Boosting Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom

Here are few benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom.

Medicinal mushrooms, a type of fungi, are known for the compounds it contains which are highly beneficial for the health and well-being of a person. While there exists a myriad of mushrooms with numerous medicinal properties, one of the most prominent of them all is called the Trametes Versicolor, which is also called Coriolus Versicolor. 

Trametes Versicolor is commonly known as turkey tail as a result of its striking presence of colors and is being widely used all around the world for centuries for the treatment of a plethora of conditions. It is not wrong to say that the quality which never fails to impress people when considering turkey tail mushrooms is their unique ability to effectively enhance the overall health of the immune system of a person. 

About Turkey Tail Mushroom

Turkey tail mushrooms are one of the most deliberated medicinal mushrooms present in the world. Such wild-growing and beautiful fungi are known in recent scientific studies as well as eastern medicine for their array of benefits to health and it particularly renowned for their powerful impact on the immune system. A turkey tail mushroom is generally rich in nutrients, which include compounds that help in boosting immunity, antioxidants, etc. Apart from this, its averred advantages include everything ranging from cardiovascular health, and the fight against cancer, to boosting gut health.

It is a medicinal mushroom that can, as mentioned above, be widely known as Coriolus Versicolor, Tramates Versicolor, or Polyporous Versicolor, and can be generally found on the trunks of trees. It has a color that shares similarities to the tail of a turkey with an appearance similar to a disk. This type of mushroom is universally used in traditional medicine for the treatment of multiple infections and diseases. It has not been long enough since several researchers have commenced their investigation on some of the highly potent benefits of turkey tail mushrooms on the health of people. 

Turkey tail mushrooms tend to contain polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which as a result of their medicinal benefits, are used as a medicine by many people in the world in this day and age. A turkey tail mushroom can generally be witnessed growing on decomposing wood of trees and their stumps. The PSK and PSP as aforementioned in a turkey tail mushroom coupled with a high chance of showing a boost to the immune system and slowing the growth of cancer in the human body. 

People tend to use turkey tail mushrooms for the improvement of response to radiation and cancer medicines. Apart from this, they are also commonly used for UTIs, muscle strength, fatigue, and several other conditions, but there exists no appreciable scientific evidence known for supporting such uses. 

Warnings And Special Precautions

The following warnings and special precautions must be kept in mind when considering the consumption of turkey tail mushrooms: 

  • Breast-feeding And Pregnancy

There does not exist enough reliable and correct information to know whether turkey tail mushrooms are safe when consumed by someone who is breastfeeding or pregnant. It is smart to stay put on the safer side of the coin and avoid the frequent usage of the same. 

  • When Taken By Mouth

A turkey tail mushroom is likely considered safe to be used by most people. For most adults with good health, it is tolerated very efficiently. Some people who had been on the receiving end of chemotherapy sessions and a substance that is extracted from turkey tail mushrooms called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported vomiting, liver problems, nausea, and a low count of white blood cells. But it is not clear if such a set of side effects were a result of PSK or chemotherapy. 

  • When Used In The Vagina

There does not exist must reliable information to know if a turkey tail mushroom is safe for consumption. It might end up causing side effects such as irritation and itching.

Benefits Of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

The following are the benefits a person can reap with the consumption of turkey tail mushrooms: 

Antioxidants 

A turkey tail mushroom contains a wide array of antioxidants, these include beneficial flavonoids and phenols, which can help with the prevention of damage to cells and oxidative stress in the human body. Several studies have provided that turkey tail mushrooms tend to contain multiple flavonoids and more or about 35 distinct phenolic compounds. Both flavonoids, as well as phenols, tend to highly contribute to the overall health and the functions of the immune system. 

Antioxidants are those compounds that help reduce or inhibit damage caused because of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress generally is a result of an imbalance between unstable molecules, also called free radicals, and antioxidants. This can result in chronic inflammation and cellular damage. This imbalance generally links its roots to a raised risk of the development of certain health conditions such as heart diseases and several cancers. 

One should be highly thankful that eating foods that are supplemented with such strong compounds or are rich in antioxidants can help in the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. A turkey tail mushroom consists of an impressive variety of antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenols as per several trusted sources. 

One of the numerous studies conducted detected about 35 distinct phenolic compounds in a turkey tail mushroom extract sample, coupled with flavonoid antioxidants baicalein and quercetin. Flavonoid and phenol antioxidants promote a healthy immune system with the reduction of inflammation and stimulation of the release of protective compounds in the human body. 

For instance, quercetin is known for the promotion of the release of immune-protective proteins such as interferon-y, while promoting the release of pro-inflammatory enzymes such as lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX). 

Compounds That Help Boost Immunity

Turkey tail mushrooms, in addition to antioxidants, tend to contain a type of carbohydrate or polysaccharide known as polysaccharopeptide, coupled with powerful properties to boost immunity. Turkey tail mushrooms possess more or about two varieties of polysaccharopeptide, namely, polysaccharide peptide and krestin. 

Both of the above-mentioned compounds are well-renowned for their contribution to immune system function by the suppression of inflammation and activation of immune cells. For reaping the maximum support, turkey tail mushrooms can easily be coupled with multivitamins that boost immunity. Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and Krestin (PSK) are the types of polysaccharopeptides that are generally found in a turkey tail mushroom. Both PSP and PSK contain strong properties that help to effectively boost immunity. They also help in the promotion of immune response with the inhibition of immune cells and suppression of inflammation. Say, for instance, various test-tube studies have demonstrated that PSP raises the level of monocytes; these are the white blood cells that help boost immunity and fight infection. 

PSK also enables the stimulation of dendritic cells that helps in the promotion of immunity to harmful toxins and regulation of immune response. Additionally, PSK plays an active role in the activation of specialized white blood cells known as macrophages. They are held responsible for the protection of the body against harmful substances such as bacteria. Because of their unique ability to strengthen the immune system naturally, PSK and PSP are generally used as anticancer agents in chemotherapy, in conjunction with several surgeries, and radiation in countries like China and Japan, etc. 

Properties To Fight Against Cancer

Copious amounts of studies have shown that the immune-boosting benefits of turkey tail mushrooms may prove to be peculiarly beneficial for people who are suffering from any kind of cancer, such as colon cancer and breast cancer. For example, polysaccharide peptide might lead to slower growth of colon cancer. On the contrary, other polysaccharopeptides present in turkey tail mushrooms, which include Coriolus Versicolor glucan, are known to have showcased a reduction in the size of any tumor as per various studies. For this very reason, turkey tail mushrooms are generally used in conjunction with treatments for curing cancer, such as radiation and chemotherapy. 

Research conducted also demonstrated that a turkey tail mushroom might possess properties to fight the tumor, thought to be connected to the effects of boosting immunity. A test-tube study has also discovered that the polysaccharopeptide, PSK, that is found in a turkey tail mushroom inhibits the spread and growth of colon cancer cells in humans. 

A particular type of polysaccharide, additionally, that is found in turkey tail mushrooms known as Coriolus Versicolor glucan (CVG) might suppress various types of tumors. A study in tumor-bearing mice that is particularly discovered that treatment with 90.9 and 45.5 mg per pound (200 and 100 mg per kg) of body weight of CVG uprooted from a turkey tail mushroom daily reduced the size of the tumor significantly. Many researchers have attributed such development to enhancing immune response. Another study proved that daily treatment with 45.5 mg per pound of the body weight of a turkey tail mushroom extract slowed the distribution of cancer cells significantly and improved the times of survival in dogs suffering from hemangiosarcoma, a highly aggressive form of cancer. 

However, one of the many impressive pieces of shreds of evidence pertaining to the benefits of turkey tail mushrooms in to fight against cancer is when it is utilized in combination with other traditional treatments as mentioned above, like radiation and chemotherapy. Because of the beneficial compounds contained in these mushrooms, a turkey tail is well-known as an ingredient in tandem with several treatments such as chemotherapy to fight various types of cancers naturally. 

A review of about 13 studies has discovered that patients provided with 1-3.6 grams of turkey tail mushrooms in a day when coupled with a conventional treatment ended up having a significant advantage for survival. A study also showed that a person suffering from colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, or breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and turkey tail mushrooms experienced a reduction of about 9% in mortality of 5 years when compared to chemotherapy alone. Another review of 7 studies in over or about 7,000 people suffering from stomach cancers demonstrated that the ones who were provided chemotherapy coupled with PSK ended up living for a longer duration post-surgery when compared to the individuals who were given chemotherapy in the absence of PSK. A study conducted on 10 women suffering from breast cancer also provided that the people who were provided 6-9 grams of the powder of turkey tail mushroom every day followed by radiation therapy tend to experience a rise in cells that fight cancer in the immune system, such as lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

Colon Cancer 

Colon cancer is very common in the U.S., the American Cancer Society also called the ACS, says that more or about 100,000 people will indubitably receive a diagnosis of colon cancer in 2020. PSP present in turkey tail extract might inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells as per various research. 

Additionally, PSP might also put a halt to the multiplication of colon cancer cells from migration and invasion to healthy cells as per the reports of study authors. It must be kept in mind that this research was performed in a laboratory, and the team failed to conduct the study on humans. A systematic meta-analysis and review effectively found that PSK derived from turkey tail is an effective and safe supplement for a person suppering from colorectal cancer or any other form of cancer in the intestines. The authors of such a review concluded that the people who consume PSK might witness an improved rate of survival, and therefore, they recommend coupling chemotherapy with PSK. 

Breast Cancer 

Following skin cancer, breast cancer is considered a very common cancer in women across the U.S. as per the American Cancer Society. 

The first line of treatment for breast cancer is chemotherapy but a limited amount of research has examined whether or not turkey tail extract may be helpful during or after this treatment. In another small study, a few participants suffering from 1,2, or 3-level breast cancer underwent radiation treatment with standard chemotherapy. After this, 3,6, or 9 grams of turkey tail was extracted in a divided dose to be given for 6 weeks every day. Following this analysis, the researchers concluded the increased level of cells present in the immune system to fight cancer was effectively contributed by the extract. Another study witnessed natural supplements recommended by famous doctors in connection with chemotherapy. The authors suggested that turkey tail extract was a therapy naturally done and commonly prescribed to people suffering from breast cancer; they described this extract as “chemotherapy-compatible.”

Boost Energy Levels And Prevent Obesity

Turkey tail mushrooms might help in fighting fatigue and boosting energy, especially in the case of athletes. For the very same reason, the consumption of turkey tail mushrooms might also help in the improvement of athletic performance.

Research has also suggested that a component present in turkey tail known as PBG, that is, protein-bound beta-glucan can help in preventing obesity. A study also found that PBG helps in the prevention of weight gain in people who ate a diet rich in fats and carbohydrates. It found that PBG might assist by helping keep a balance between certain bacteria present in the gut to prevent obesity. However, the confirmation of such effects in humans is open for further research. 

Good for the Gut 

The polysaccharopeptide present in turkey tail mushrooms might also contribute to the health of the gut. Studies have shown these compounds increase the bacteria present in the body and benefit the gut, leading to a depletion in several other problematic bacteria like Ecoli. The gut health benefits of turkey tail might lead to improved functioning of the immune system, overall health, and vitality, better digestion, etc. Keeping a healthy and perfect balance of effective bacteria present in the gut is critical to maintaining a powerful immune system. The gut bacteria present in the body interact with the immune cells and directly impacts the immune response in a person. In addition, turkey tail includes prebiotics; which help in nourishing such helpful bacteria. 

A study that took place for 8 weeks including 24 healthy people discovered that the consumption of 3,600 mg of PSP that was extracted from a turkey tail mushroom every day ended up with beneficial changes in the bacteria present in the gut and effectively suppressed the further growth of the, maybe problematic, Shigella and E. Coli bacteria. Possessing a healthy level of Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus bacteria has been directly connected to improved symptoms of the intestine such as diarrhea, reduced levels of cholesterol, improved digestion, enhanced immune system, low risk of various cancers, etc. 

Anti-Inflammatory Features

The antioxidants such as phenols and flavonoids present in a turkey tail mushroom enjoy anti-inflammatory properties that might lead to a reduction in chronic inflammation which has been directly linked with chronic diseases like diabetes and other cancers. It assists in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases. Turkey tail mushrooms might also prove to be helpful for the treatment of HPV. 

Might Improve The Resistance To Insulin

A study conducted on rats with type 2 diabetes provided that turkey tail extract reduced the levels of blood sugar significantly and therefore the resistance against insulin.  

Antibacterial Properties 

Several studies have shown that turkey tail mushrooms might inhibit the development and growth of several bacteria such as salmonella and staph. In a study, the turkey trail witnessed the growth of Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus, bacteria that might cause infection and illness. 

Possible Benefits To The Heart

A turkey tail mushroom contains beta-glucans. It is a kind of soluble fiber that might reduce the risk of any heart disease with the prevention of cholesterol absorption. A study provided that turkey tail extract helped reduce fatigue and improve exercise performance. In addition, the mice that were treated with turkey tail faced a lower level of blood sugar post-exercise and at rest. 

Might Combat HPV

A study conducted with 61 people with HPV discovered that about 88% of the total participants who were treated with turkey tail witnessed positive results, like clearance of HPV, when compared to about 5% of the control group. 

Ways For Incorporating Turkey Tail Mushrooms Into The Daily Routine

Just like every functional mushroom, turkey tail shines truly when a person consumes it regularly, whether as tea, a supplement, food, etc. Although it has an earthy and mild flavor, it is generally accounted as an edible mushroom due to its slight leathery texture, while turkey tail is generally consumed in the form of a powder. In several cultures, turkey tail mushrooms are present in teas or soups consumed to regulate and support the immune system and improve the overall wellness and health of a human. With a mild taste that people generally tend to describe as sweet to an extent, turkey tail powder is considered an easy ingredient to mix in a beverage, snack, main dish, and dessert of their choice. In winter, you can consider stirring it in bone broth, hot tea, oatmeal, or soup. Similarly, you can easily blend it along with any smoothie or wish it to a salad dressing of your choice in the summer. It is easily available in multi-mushroom blends or as a single-species supplement. 

Is The Consumption Of Turkey Tail Mushrooms Safe?

A turkey tail mushroom is safe but comes with a few side effects of its own as reported in several research studies. Some people might experience digestive symptoms such as dark stools, gas, or bloating with the consumption of turkey tail mushrooms. When they are used as a cancer treatment along with chemotherapy, several side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting were reported by people. However, it remains blurry if such side effects were directly related to the consumption of turkey tail mushrooms or the conventional treatment methods for cancer that were used. Another potential side effect coupled with the consumption of this mushroom is the darkening of the nails of your hands. Even if a person enjoys an exceptional safety profile, it is crucial to consider speaking with a doctor before he supplements with turkey tail mushrooms. 

Risks Associated With The Consumption Of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

As turkey tail is a fungus, a person suffering from mold or mushrooms must consider avoiding its use. The consumption of mushroom extract could end up causing life-threatening reactions in several people. Researchers are yet to discover any severe side effects to the human body interlinked with turkey tail mushrooms. However, a few milder adverse side effects might be: 

  • Constipation 
  • Chest pain 
  • Heartburn 
  • Nausea
  • Flu- or cold-like symptoms 

Any person putting up with an implicit health condition must consider consulting a doctor before he tries any other new supplement, which includes turkey tail extract. 

Conclusion

Turkey tail mushroom is a medicinal mushroom that enjoys an impressive array of benefits. It is known to contain an extended variety of strong antioxidants as well as other compounds that might assist in the boosting immune system and even assist in fighting several cancers. Along with this, turkey tail mushrooms might also help a person improve the balance of bacteria present in the gut, which can end up putting a positive impact on the immunity of such a person.  Considering all the immune-boosting qualities the mushrooms present themselves with, it is no big deal that turkey tail is a famous natural treatment for the promotion of health. 

Turkey tail mushrooms are further well-renowned for the mild earthy taste they possess coupled with the many benefits they have to offer to people.  Like most other mushrooms, these mushrooms are edible fungi that people are known to have been eating for several years now. Not only do these turkey tail mushrooms taste as perfect as they can be, but they also add a mouthfeel and a nice texture to the food. More importantly, they can also offer health benefits to people. What else do you want? 


         

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