Photo: Breast cancer occurs less frequent in women who eat plenty of mushrooms, according to various studies in Asia. (Source:GMH/BDC)
The classic health parameters, exercise, prevent obesity, sufficient sleep, no smoking, moderate alcohol consumption and of course a healthy diet, play a role in reducing the probability of cancer. And in the healthy diet mushrooms play an important role.
Scientist found out that mushrooms contain substances that selectively act against tumor cells. For example lentinan, a molecule from the shiitake mushroom, boosts immune cells such as T and B-lymphocytes. And lentinan prevents malignant cells from growing into a tumor. In Japan, lentinan is used as adjuvant therapy, accompanying cancer therapy, for 15 years. In Europe that is not the case. But every supermarket sells shitakes so we can eat the mushrooms and enjoy the positive effects. But other mushrooms have health effects too. Button mushrooms have the highest content of aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is an enzyme that influences the estrogen production in the body. And many breast cancers are influenced by estrogen. If the aromatase enzyme is inhibited the estrogen level decreases and with it the probability of cancer. Part of the therapy of many breast cancer patients is a synthetic aromatase inhibitor. But maybe eating button mushrooms regularly could have a preventive effect. Studies in China and Japan show that ample mushroom consumption is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer.
For breast cancer patients who have to deal with the heavy burden of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy mushrooms can help battle side effects of their therapy. Nausea can be treated with medication but diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, sores on the mucous membranes, and the fatigue syndrome, the feeling of complete exhaustion, can’t be treated that easily. Eating nutritious and light mushrooms with their beneficial health effects and positive influence on the immune system can help. All this, combined with moving, walking or light sport when possible, will help with coping with this difficult time and regaining strength again.