Hello, I am interested in alternative medicine and I have found something I hope might be helpful for you. Ganoderma contains water-soluble heteropolysaccharides with anti-tumor activity. The activity is related to various hetero-b-8-D-glycans, especially arabinoxylo-b-D-glucan, xylo-b-D-glucan, manno-b-D-glucan and xylomanno-b-D-glucan, or more precisesly their protein complexes. Newly, not only the Ganoderma body, but also spores are under investigation, which also contain interesting bioactive substances. In a recent study (April 2012), Japanese scientists isolated some C-19 fatty acids from Ganoderma spores with anti-tumor activity. You can find more in their study “Gao et al. “Isolation and identification of C-19 fatty acids with anti-tumor activity from the spores of Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom), Fitoterapia 83(3), 2012, pages 490-499. In the introduction you can find other interesting references of reviews of the mechanism of cancer prevention by this mushroom.
One more additional information – there are unusually high concentrations of Germanium in Ganoderma, especially in the form of an organometallic compound called carboxyethyl-germanium sesquioxide, which shows antitumor activity (see e.g. Jeyaraman and Sellappa, Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research 5(1), 2011, 39-41 or other sources).
Ganoderma belongs to the Polyporaceae group of the Fungi family - Reishi and some formulas contain other mushrooms.
Ganoderma works in the treatment of cancer because it helps cleanse the body from toxins and it helps strengthen the immune system. It enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells - making it a very important supplement for those who have liver cancer.
The anti-cancer agents in Ganoderma are the polysaccharides and Germanium. The polyshaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is largely responsible for its anti-tumor efficacy. Indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation a) to reduce side-effects during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, b) to prolonging survival and minimize metastasis, c) to improve quality of life, and d) to prevent occurrence or recurrence.
Ganoderma can be used as a supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce side-effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, bone marrow suppression and risk of infection. It can also reduce the toxic and side effects and mitigate the pains during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in particular to cancer patients at terminal stages for prolonging their lives and improving their living quality.
Qualities of Ganoderma that help in the treatment of cancer include:
It enhances and helps regulate the immune and endocrine system, prevent tumors, improving the circulation and eliminating harmful free radicals.
Inhibits DNA synthesis of the cancer cells, destroys the terminal enzyme activity of the tumor cells, promotes macrophages and regulates T and B lymphocytes, thus restraining the spread of cancer cells.
It can also reduce the toxic and side effects and mitigate the pains during chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells.
Helps with cancerous ascites, increases appetite and help relieve the pain of late stage cancer.
It is especially effective with kidney diseases.
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