Turkey Tail mushrooms and FOS. Anyone else here use these?

Posted by ededed @ededed, Aug 2 7:32am

I have been taking Turkey Tail Mushroom tea or capsules, along with Lion’s Mane’s mushroom tea or capsules and FOS for 4 years now. For the last few visits to my urologist, he has told me that he is surprised how well I am doing. When I first started seeing him, I was diagnosed with Stage 3-C, advanced and aggressive prostate cancer with a PSA of 54.0. My Gleason score was 8.
My search of the literature led me to taking FOS and Turkey Tail mushrooms since October, 2021. I added Lion’s Mane mushrooms to my daily routine a bit later. I take Turkey Tail mushrooms I have collected myself as well as commercially available capsules and mycelium powder. Cancer stem cells (CSC) promote metastasis, something that we all hope to avoid. Turkey Tail mushroom and specifically the polysaccharides within the mushroom are credited with combating the cancer stem cells. I attribute my lack of progression of my cancer to my Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy aka IMRT, my one year of ADT, and to the supplements that I take daily.

Below, I have quoted from four peer reviewed articles without editorializing though I have bolded some of the most relevant passages.
An additional note, Turkey Tail mushrooms are now the subject of a clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic in pre-operative breast cancer patients. It has also been reported favorably for patients with colorectal cancer and a few other solid organ cancers.

The following acronyms are found in the quotes below.
A mucinphila the commensal intestinal mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila
CSC cancer stem cells
FOS FructooligoSaccharide or oligofructose
PC Prostate Cancer
Advanced prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy have altered gut microbiota composition, with an accumulation of bacterial species that can synthesize dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone from pregnenolone [through 17a-hydroxylase/17,20-desmo lase (CYP17A1)– like activity]. The presence of these species enhances tumor growth and progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)(1).
We have carefully examined a total of 24 the up-to-date available dietary intervention studies in search for evidence and strategies to increase A. muciniphila, a beneficial member of gut microbiota in the gut. Available evidence from animal studies showed that viable A.muciniphila or prebiotics (FOS) was able to consistently promote A. muciniphila abundance in the gut, suggesting a great potential for future development of dietary intervention approaches using viable bacterium or FOS for increasing gut A. muciniphila..(2)
Here, we demonstrated that the polysaccharopeptide (PSP) extracted from Turkey tail (known as Coriolus versicolor [aka Trametes versicolor] or Yun-zhi) targets prostate CSCs in vitro and suppresses tumor formation in vivo. Treatment of prostate cancer cell line PC-3 with PSP led to the down-regulation of CSC markers (CD133 and CD44) in a time and dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, formation of prostasphere, a major property of prostate CSCs, was completely suppressed in PC-3 cells in the presence of PSP. Furthermore,PSP pre-treatment significantly suppressed tumor initiation of PC-3 cells in immunocompromised mice, suggesting that PSP suppresses the tumorigenicity of the PC-3 cells. More importantly, oral feeding of transgenic mice (TgMAP) that spontaneously develop prostate tumor with PSP was found to completely inhibit prostate tumor formation. Our findings support that PSP may be a potent chemo-preventive agent against prostate cancer, possibly through targeting of the prostate CSC population. (3)
Since ancient times, mushrooms have been considered valuable allies of human wellbeing both from a dietary and medicinal point of view. Their essential role in several traditional medicines is explained today by the discovery of the plethora of biomolecules that have shown proven efficacy for treating various diseases, including cancer. Numerous studies have already been conducted to explore the antitumoural properties of mushroom extracts against cancer. Still,very few have reported the anticancer properties of mushroom polysaccharides and mycochemicals against the specific population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this context, _-glucans are relevant in modulating immunological surveillance against this subpopulation of cancer cells within tumours.(4)
In fact, as reported in this review, mushrooms are an abundant source of mycochemicals that may intervene in several pathways involved in the induction of embryonic characteristics specific to CSCs, either alone or in synergy with conventional drug therapies.(4)
SOURCES
1. Gut bacteria enable prostate cancer growth. John A. McCulloch, Giorgio Trinchieri.. Science, 374 (6564), DOI: 10.1126/science.abl7070
2. 2. Kequan Zhou, Strategies to promote abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, an emerging probiotics in the gut, evidence from dietary intervention studies, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 33, 2017, Pages 194-201, ISSN 1756-4646,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.03.045
3. Chemopreventive Effect of PSP Through Targeting ofProstate Cancer Stem Cell-Like Population. Sze-Ue Luk , Terence Kin-Wah Lee, Ji Liu, Davy Tak-Wing Lee, Yung-Tuen Chiu, Stephanie Ma, Irene Oi-Lin Ng, Yong-Chuan Wong, Franky Leung Chan, Ming-Tat Ling. Published: May 16, 2011, Chemopreventive Effect of PSP Through Targeting of Prostate Cancer Stem Cell-Like Population | PLOS ONE
4. Mycochemicals against Cancer Stem Cells. : Tacchini, M.; Sacchetti, G.; Guerrini, A.; Paganetto, G. Toxins 2023, 15, 360. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15060360

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

I started taking Turkey tail but I was getting this humming in my penis. I stopped and it stopped. For the last year, I have been taking white button mushrooms. Recent studies indicate they help against prostate cancer. My next Followup is in October. 🤞. Best to you!

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Profile picture for kjacko @kjacko

I started taking Turkey tail but I was getting this humming in my penis. I stopped and it stopped. For the last year, I have been taking white button mushrooms. Recent studies indicate they help against prostate cancer. My next Followup is in October. 🤞. Best to you!

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We all need to listen to what our bodies tell us. White button mushrooms share some of the helpful mycochemicals in Turkey Tail. I know someone who gets an upset stomach from Turkey Tail. They add extra grocery store white button and shitake mushrooms to their weekly diet. Take care

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Profile picture for ededed @ededed

We all need to listen to what our bodies tell us. White button mushrooms share some of the helpful mycochemicals in Turkey Tail. I know someone who gets an upset stomach from Turkey Tail. They add extra grocery store white button and shitake mushrooms to their weekly diet. Take care

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Are you (they) suggesting that the shiitake and white button have some of the chemicals that might be useful against PC?

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Profile picture for ededed @ededed

We all need to listen to what our bodies tell us. White button mushrooms share some of the helpful mycochemicals in Turkey Tail. I know someone who gets an upset stomach from Turkey Tail. They add extra grocery store white button and shitake mushrooms to their weekly diet. Take care

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Exactly

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Profile picture for robertov @robertov

Are you (they) suggesting that the shiitake and white button have some of the chemicals that might be useful against PC?

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Yes. I read a study showing favorable results with White Button Mushrooms.

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Profile picture for robertov @robertov

Are you (they) suggesting that the shiitake and white button have some of the chemicals that might be useful against PC?

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Yes, but not the two polysaccharides (PSP and K) that are contained in turkey tail that have been shown to attack prostate cancer stem cells. Other foods that have anti-cancer effects are tomatoes and broccoli which both have more effect when eaten after they are cooked.
From: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8542389/
White button mushroom (WBM) (Agaricus bisporus) is a potential prostate cancer (PCa) chemopreventative and therapeutic agent. Our clinical phase I trial of WBM powder in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa indicated that WBM intake reduced the circulating levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We hypothesized that WBM exerts its effects on PCa through the androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis. Therefore, we conducted a reverse translational study with androgen-dependent PCa cell lines (LNCaP and VCaP) and patient-derived-xenografts (PDX) from a prostate tumor (TM00298). In both LNCaP and VCaP cells, western blots and qRT-PCR assays indicated that WBM extract (6~30 mg/mL) suppressed DHT-induced PSA expression and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence analysis of AR revealed that WBM extract interrupted the AR nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution. PSA promotor-luciferase assay suggested that WBM extract inhibited DHT-induced luciferase activity. RNA-Seq on WBM-treated LNCaP cells confirmed that WBM treatment suppressed the androgen response pathways and cell-cycle control pathways. Our PDX showed that oral intake of WBM extract (200 mg/kg/day) suppressed tumor growth and decreased PSA levels in both tumors and serum. In the present study, we also identified a conjugated linoleic acid isomer (CLA-9Z11E) as a strong AR antagonist by performing LanthaScreen™ TR-FRET AR Coactivator Interaction Assays. The inhibitory effect of CLA-9Z11E (IC50: 350 nM) was nearly two times stronger than the known AR antagonist, cyproterone acetate (IC50: 672 nM). The information gained from this study improves the overall understanding of how WBM may contribute to the prevention and treatment of PCa.

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Profile picture for ededed @ededed

Yes, but not the two polysaccharides (PSP and K) that are contained in turkey tail that have been shown to attack prostate cancer stem cells. Other foods that have anti-cancer effects are tomatoes and broccoli which both have more effect when eaten after they are cooked.
From: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8542389/
White button mushroom (WBM) (Agaricus bisporus) is a potential prostate cancer (PCa) chemopreventative and therapeutic agent. Our clinical phase I trial of WBM powder in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa indicated that WBM intake reduced the circulating levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We hypothesized that WBM exerts its effects on PCa through the androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis. Therefore, we conducted a reverse translational study with androgen-dependent PCa cell lines (LNCaP and VCaP) and patient-derived-xenografts (PDX) from a prostate tumor (TM00298). In both LNCaP and VCaP cells, western blots and qRT-PCR assays indicated that WBM extract (6~30 mg/mL) suppressed DHT-induced PSA expression and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence analysis of AR revealed that WBM extract interrupted the AR nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution. PSA promotor-luciferase assay suggested that WBM extract inhibited DHT-induced luciferase activity. RNA-Seq on WBM-treated LNCaP cells confirmed that WBM treatment suppressed the androgen response pathways and cell-cycle control pathways. Our PDX showed that oral intake of WBM extract (200 mg/kg/day) suppressed tumor growth and decreased PSA levels in both tumors and serum. In the present study, we also identified a conjugated linoleic acid isomer (CLA-9Z11E) as a strong AR antagonist by performing LanthaScreen™ TR-FRET AR Coactivator Interaction Assays. The inhibitory effect of CLA-9Z11E (IC50: 350 nM) was nearly two times stronger than the known AR antagonist, cyproterone acetate (IC50: 672 nM). The information gained from this study improves the overall understanding of how WBM may contribute to the prevention and treatment of PCa.

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Been taking WBM powder over two years now in my am Hot Green tea. I m off ADT since last January 2025. ADT substance still in my body. However my PSA is less than .01 for 30 months now. FYI only. Thank you. Bruce

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Unbelievable research there, ed…I have always known that cancer can find something to eat - even if all the sugar and animal fats are removed from the diet.
But now to have evidence that certain gut flora can produce testosterone (food) from metabolic byproducts - and thereby counteract ADT and lead to castrate resistance is a real breakthrough in understanding yet another mechanism in this complicated disease. Perhaps this is why some men do not show a precipitous drop in T while on Lupron/Orgovyx?Thanks so much for that info!
Phil

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Profile picture for heavyphil @heavyphil

Unbelievable research there, ed…I have always known that cancer can find something to eat - even if all the sugar and animal fats are removed from the diet.
But now to have evidence that certain gut flora can produce testosterone (food) from metabolic byproducts - and thereby counteract ADT and lead to castrate resistance is a real breakthrough in understanding yet another mechanism in this complicated disease. Perhaps this is why some men do not show a precipitous drop in T while on Lupron/Orgovyx?Thanks so much for that info!
Phil

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And of course I have to ask: what product/dosage do you use?
There are quite a few for sale, but like most herbal supplements, the method of extraction is critical for getting the active compounds you are looking for. Thanks again,
Phil

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