Shiitake mushroom
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Shiitake[1] mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are common in oriental cuisine and popular among gourmet food aficionados, and they make a pretty tasty soup. They are easily found at your local supermarket or from a quality grocer.
[edit] Medical woo
They are also touted by some quacks and alternative health gurus as being a cure for cancer.[2]
[edit] Possible non-woo
There is research into possible useful products:
- Shiitake mushrooms have been researched for their medicinal benefits, most notably their anti-tumor properties in laboratory mice. These studies have also identified the polysaccharide lentinan, a (1-3)-β-D-glucan, as the active compound responsible for the anti-tumor effects.[3]
- Extracts from shiitake mushrooms (such as ichtyol) have also been researched for many other immunological benefits, ranging from anti-viral properties to possible treatments for severe allergies, as well as arthritis.
- Lenthionine, a key flavour compound of shiitake, also inhibits platelet aggregation, so it is a promising treatment for thrombosis.
- Shiitake are also one of a few known natural dietary sources of vegan and kosher vitamin D.
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Pronounced "Shee-tah-keh" rather than "Shit-take".
- ↑ LiveStrong:Shiitake Mushroom Cancer Treatment
- ↑ PUbMed:Inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis in human cancer cell lines by an ethyl acetate fraction from shiitake mushrooms.