Beta Glucans for Breast Cancer?

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Beta Glucans for Breast Cancer? JoAnn Guest Jul 15, 2003 14:28 PDT

Today's Question

I’m a breast cancer survivor and have been considering taking beta

glucan supplements to support my immune system. Do you think this is

safe?

 

-- Nancy Morse

 

Today's Answer

(Published 07/15/2003)

Beta glucans are a group of naturally occurring polysaccarides (complex

sugars) that are part of the cell walls of bacteria, plants and fungi.

As dietary supplements, they seem to boost immune function. They are

also partly responsible for the anticancer and immune-boosting effects

of medicinal mushrooms. A National Cancer Institute study showed that

injecting tumors with glucan derivatives led to a reduction in their

size. This was associated with migration of immune cells to the tumor

site and with tumor necrosis (cell death). Beta glucan supplements are

widely promoted on the Internet and sold through multi-level marketing

schemes.

 

Rather than taking overpriced beta glucan supplements I suggest

including mushrooms in your diet as a better way of getting their

beneficial effects. I’ve often recommended certain species of mushrooms

to cancer patients and cancer survivors:

 

Maitake (Grifola frondosa). This delicious, edible mushroom is known as

“hen of the woods” because it resembles the fluffed tail feathers of a

nesting hen. In addition to its anticancer, antiviral and

immune-enhancing properties, maitake may also reduce blood pressure and

blood sugar. You should be able to find it dried or fresh in Japanese

markets, gourmet stores or upscale supermarkets.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes). This delicious, meaty-tasting mushroom is

widely available fresh or dried in grocery stores and Asian markets. The

Japanese have extensively studied the shiitake and found it to have

immune modulating, anti-viral and cholesterol reducing properties.

Certain extracts of shiitake mushrooms are used in Japan as adjunctive

therapy to strengthen immunity of cancer patients during chemotherapy

and radiation.

Agaricus (Agaricus blazei). This is a medicinal mushroom with anti-tumor

and anti-viral activity widely used by cancer patients in Japan and

Brazil. It is delicious, and I hope it will become available here as a

gourmet species. You can get it as a culture or in extract form from

Fungi Perfecti in Olympia, WA.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). Too woody and bitter to eat as food, reishi

mushrooms are available in tea bags, capsules and liquid extracts.

Animal studies have shown that reishi improves immune function and

inhibits the growth of some malignant tumors. It is also a natural

anti-inflammatory agent.

These, along with other well-studied medicinal mushrooms, are also

available as a blended product called Host Defense (New Chapter), and is

probably your best bet for getting the most from beta glucans.

 

Dr. Andrew Weil

http://www.drweil.com

 

 

 

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