Functional mushrooms are all the rage these days, whether being sold as powders, tinctures, capsules or just exotic foodstuffs. They are called functional because they are biological response modifiers offering benefits beyond nutrition. They act systemically, helping to regulate and rebalance the whole body’s physiology, working with the interconnected systems of stress, immune regulation and inflammatory balance.

There are a number of key chemicals within functional mushrooms which perform these tasks and I am very indebted to Oli Genn-Bash for his work on identifying these. Some of the major ones are below, but functional mushrooms overall contain many, many more.

Polysaccharides: these are long sugar chains, resistant to degradation by our digestive system and key regulators of our colon. They are selectively used by gut microbiota to enhance the selection, colonisation and survival of probiotic bacteria as well as acting as prebiotics.

The most common Polysaccharide is beta glucan which has a prebiotic effect on the gut and significant impact on the immune system. Th1 and Th2 are two major populations of the T-helper cells that play an important part in maximising the capabilities of the immune system. The balance between and Th1 and Th2 immune response appears to play an important role in a number of chronic disease states including cancer, allergies and asthma which exhibit elevated levels of the cytokines associated with a dominant Th2 immune response. (Cytokines are secreted by immune cells and they regulate immunity, inflammation, and the production of new blood cells, acting locally or systemically to coordinate immune responses).

Elevated levels of these cytokines alter the integrity and permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB), and allow the transport of peripheral immune cells into the central nervous system, which contributes to neuroinflammation. Signs and symptoms of a Th2 dominant immune state include fatigue, reduced resistance to infection, depression and chronic low-grade inflammation.

Supplementation with mushroom polysaccharides shows a clear shift in the immune balance towards Th1 dominance and suppression of Th2 cytokines.

Two other significant polysaccharides contained in certain functional mushrooms are PSK (known as Krestin) and PSP. These are major pharmaceutical drugs which are licensed in Japan and China for cancer treatment.

Lentinan is another polysaccharide used in Japan for the treatment of cancer since the 1960s It is also used for reduction of chemo side effects and improving quality of life for patients with colorectal, liver, breast and mestastatic prostate cancer.

There are also more than 30 other types of active polysaccharides can interact with the Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) a key activator of the innate immune response that plays a central role in the fight against bacterial infections.

Triterpenoids: These are found widely in plants, fungi, and marine organisms, and they function as defensive compounds. They are extensively studied for their medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer activities.

One such triterpenoid contained in some functional mushrooms is ganoderic acid A which interacts with the GABA pathway – (Gamma Aminobutyric acid pathway) - an inhibitory neurotransmitter which reduces cortisol levels, lowers neural activity and promotes sleep. Because of these effects is helps to reduce anxiety, stress and depression.

Cordycepin: this is very similar to adenosine, which stimulates the body’s cells to produce more of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine functions as a neurotransmitter and an immune regulator. It is essential for proper functioning of mitochondrial activity and cellular energy metabolism. So it is essential for delivering energy to the muscles and improving your body’s use of oxygen during exercise – known generally as vitality, or stamina, as well as being important for lung health and sexual function.  It may help with diabetes, respiratory conditions and cancer. It is also beneficial for managing post viral fatigue.

Hericenones and erinacines: Neurones depend on specialised proteins to support their survival and growth. These compounds stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) which directly modulates the innate and adaptive immune responses of B and T cells and causes the release of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, controlling the immune system activation in inflamed tissues. They are part of an endogenous mechanism that while activating immune responses also activates pathways necessary to dampen the inflammatory response and limit tissue damage.

NGF is also involved in the regulation of growth, maintenance, proliferation and survival of certain neurons utilised for memory and learning. It is critical for the survival and maintenance of sympathetic and sensory neurones, which undergo apoptosis in its absence. And it has a profound impact on airway inflammation.

Eritadenine: this is a bioactive compound believed to have cholesterol reducing properties.  It also helps with efficient waste removal and detoxification of the intestines and prevents accumulation of fat around the liver. It may also help support a range of viral conditions and improves immunity by improved cell proliferation and activation especially in cancer therapy.

These are just some of the key compounds found in functional mushrooms. So which ones should you take as part of your health care diet? That is what I will look at in my next posting.