Medicinal Mushrooms: A 10-Medicinal Mushroom Combination Helps Boost Your Immune System and May Even Help Fight Cancer

Despite all the drugs, research and money invested in finding a cure for immune-related diseases, ranging from the common cold to cancer, the search for the magic bullet has proved futile. The immune system is like a defending army, with resistance fighters based within both the bloodstream and the lymphatic system a network of vessels which drains fluid back into the blood circulation.

One way to boost your immunity is provided by medicinal mushrooms and herbal remedies. The effectiveness of certain mushrooms, with regard to the immune system, has been well documented. According to Dr Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research UK, A vast amount of information has been collated which suggest that compounds derived from mushrooms could have a hugely beneficial influence on the way cancer is treated.

But before we go into further detail about medicinal mushrooms, lets examine how your immune system works.

Your immune system is like a defending army

The main defenders white blood cells and lymphocytes are constantly on the lookout for abnormal cells. White blood cells destroy micro-organisms by engulfing them. Lymphocytes can destroy foreign bodies directly or produce antibodies to inactivate undesirable substances, such as bacteria and viruses. Other cells, known as natural killer (NK) cells, directly attack and destroy cancer cells before they get the chance to multiply. 

Without a strong immune system the cornerstone of good health we are vulnerable to every passing bug and to mutations in the body which, if left unchecked, can lead to serious disease. No wonder cancer is the second biggest killer in the UK, when you realise that so much of modern living appears to be designed to weaken the immune system: air pollution, stress, poor diet and environmental toxins can all cause a breakdown in immunity.

Mainstream solutions are often aggressive and cause more damage than help
The usual treatment for cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (radiotherapy) can be aggressive. Surgery involves removing the tumour and surrounding tissue, whereas chemotherapy zaps cancer cells with highly toxic chemicals. The side-effects of these chemicals vary, according to the drug given, but they can, ironically, further suppress the immune system (a process known as immuno-suppression). This treatment is often used in conjunction with radiation treatment, which targets cancer cells using x-rays or gamma rays to deter the proliferation of malignant cells.  It is not unusual to experience common side-effects from this treatment, including nausea, vomiting and hair loss.

Medicinal drugs can be harsh on the body, adding to the toxic load. Its hardly surprising that more and more people are looking for complementary ways to assist their bodies in boosting their immunity, especially when they are going through periods of illness when the immune system is hard at work fighting illness.
 
Medicinal mushrooms offer a complementary way to fight cancer alongside more traditional methods

Reishi is believed in Chinese medicine to promote longevity and has been shown to have anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It was mentioned in ancient Chinese texts more than 1,500 years ago and was considered to be the mushroom of mortality because of its protective effects against immune-related disease.
Shiitake, traditionally used to treat a range of conditions from colds to AIDs, has been found to help reduce the size of colon tumours in mice by researchers at the National University of Singapore.1

Some mushrooms seem to target specific areas: Cordyceps sinensis and tremella fuciformus for example are used to support immunity in the lungs, whereas hericium erinaceus and poria cocos are commonly prescribed in China for stomach ailments and to help prevent cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. Polyporus umbellatus is believed to be effective against bladder cancer.

Rich in immune-boosting, anti-tumour polysaccharides, agaricus blazei is believed to stimulate the production of interferon a substance produced naturally in the body to fight off invaders and NK cells.

One supplement combines the most potent, researched and trusted mushrooms to help support the immune system

RM-10 is a combination of 10 medicinal mushrooms synergistically balanced with the plant extract aloe vera and the herbal remedy cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa). One ingredient, maitake mushroom, has been found to help enhance the immune system by activating T cells (lymphocytes) and NK cells in cancer patients.2

Similarly, when researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong studied the effects of coriolus versicolor, another RM-10 ingredient, on the immune systems of 100 healthy subjects they found that regular oral consumption of the mushroom helped significantly increase counts of immune cells such as T cells and NK cells.3
RM-10 benefits from the immune-boosters aloe vera and cats claw
Aloe vera is thought to not only strengthen immunity but has been used for thousands of years to reduce inflammation, fight viruses and bacteria and help regulate blood sugar levels. The ancient Egyptians recognised its healing powers over 6,500 years ago.  Extract of aloe vera linne has been found to be active against human tumour cells, according to a Chinese study which showed that aloe inhibited the growth of leukaemic cells.4

Cats claw is a very popular remedy in North America, sometimes recommended for people with cancer or HIV infection. Although there is currently a lack of clinical trials to support the historical use of cats claw, the indigenous peoples of the Andes reportedly use this herbal remedy to treat, amongst others, gastric ulcers, inflammation and tumours.
RM-10 not only combines all these ingredients in one supplement, it also utilises a natural method of lacto-fermentation and enzymatic predigestion (known as Poten-ZymeTM) in order to liberate the active compounds within each ingredient of the tablet, making them more absorbable in the body.

As we have found, the medicinal mushrooms in RM-10 are believed to help your immune system specifically against cancer. But its general immune-boosting properties have also been demonstrated by the research as well. So whether you just need to boost your immune system to help fight off a cold, or if your immune system is weak from battling serious illness, RM-10 may be beneficial.

What to take for best results

RM-10 has no known side-effects or contraindications. The recommended dosage is one capsule a day, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. The product is suitable for vegetarians. If you are dealing with serious illness, like cancer, you should discuss RM-10 with your doctor before trying this supplement.

1. J Alt Complement Med 2002;8(5): 581-9
2. J Med Food 2003;6(4): 371-7
3. Int Immunopharmacol 2004;4(2): 201-11
4. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2000;52(5): 693-98(6)