Mushrooms are members of the Kingdom fungi, which contains an estimated 1.5 million species. Mushrooms and their relatives -- yeast and molds -- serve the vital function of breaking down and recycling dead organic matter. These hardy life-forms provide a diverse and nutritious food source; some even offer significant medicinal benefits, including the ability to boost white blood cell levels.
Maitake
Maitake mushrooms increase activity of a type of white blood cell known as a natural killer cell, according to a study published in the Winter 2003 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Foods." Maitake D-fraction, the active component of the mushroom, has been shown to shrink lung, liver and breast tumors, reported the study. In fact, scientists gave maitake D-fraction to cancer patients and found that it inhibited tumor metastasis. Maitake's primary anti-cancer benefits occurred through its effects on natural killer cells.
Ergothioneine
A compound called ergthioneine, found in a variety of edible mushrooms, may help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by preventing white blood cells from adhering to arterial linings, according to a study published in the December 2010 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food." In the tissue culture study, human endothelial cells -- cells that line the inner artery wall -- were incubated with ergothioneine and then with an inflammatory compound known to initiate atherosclerosis. Results showed that ergothioneine inhibited white blood cells known as monocytes from binding to endothelial cells. Additionally, ergothioneine was safe and non-toxic at all concentrations used in the study.
Reishi
The reishi mushroom, a hard, fibrous fungus found on oak and Japanese plum trees, activates macrophages. These large white blood cells engulf pathogens and foreign particles. Macrophages consume viruses, bacteria and cancer cells -- and also alert other white blood cells to the presence of cancer. A study published in the April 2011 issue of the journal "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications" found that reishi promotes production of a cancer-destroying molecule called tumor necrosis factor by white blood cells known as monocytes.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia and widely used in cooking, may benefit HIV-positive patients by increasing levels of CD4 cells, also known as T helper cells, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. CD4 cells coordinate the immune response by directing the activity of other white blood cells. Neutrophils, white blood cells involved in the inflammatory response, also increase in HIV patients who consume shiitake mushrooms. Additionally, shiitake inhibits reproduction of cells with leukemia, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells.
References
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Effect of Maitake (Grifola Frondosa) D-fraction on the Activation of Nk Cells in Cancer Patients; N. Kodama, et al.; Winter 2003
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; The Bioactive Agent Ergothioneine, a Key Component of Dietary Mushrooms, Inhibits Monocyte Binding to Endothelial Cells Characteristic of Early Cardiovascular Disease; K. Martin, et al.; December 2010
- "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications"; Lucidenic Acids-rich Extract from Antlered Form of Ganoderma Lucidum Enhances Tnfα Induction in Thp-1 Monocytic Cells Possibly Via Its Modulation of Map Kinases P38 and Jnk; K. Watanabe, et al.; April 2011
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Shiitake Mushroom; July 18, 2011
- Utah State University: Fun Facts About Fungi
