A growing body of research indicates that certain medicinal mushrooms can aid in keeping the liver healthy. Mushroom for liver can shield the organ from the toxins currently inundating our lives.
Lion’s mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, and Maitake are notable mushrooms good for liver health. The terpenes, phenolic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides in these fungi impart beneficial effects on the liver by combating inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, it can help prevent fibrosis and fat accumulation in the liver.
Below we will explore the five best mushrooms for liver health so that you can pick the best one for yourself.
Let’s get on to it!
Liver And Mushrooms: The Top 5 Mushrooms For Liver Health
Not all mushrooms are the same, so it's important to know which ones are essential for liver health. According to research, five mushroom species have been found to support the liver specifically. Let’s take a look at them:
Reishi Mushrooms And Liver
Administration of Reishi's polysaccharides was found to reduce liver inflammation in a mouse study(1). BCG-immunostimulant was used to cause liver damage in the mice. Compared to the placebo group, the acute and chronic liver inflammation level in mice receiving Reishi mushroom treatment was minimal.
A different study(2) induced liver fibrosis using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). When blood flow to the liver is blocked, blood backflows to the spleen, causing the spleen to enlarge. According to the study, adding Reishi polysaccharides to the diet helped with splenomegaly.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Liver Benefits
Lion's mane has hepatoprotective effects, which can be attributed to its potent antioxidant activity. This makes it a potential supplement for the treatment of hepatic diseases.
The mushroom prevented alcohol-induced liver damage in a study on mice(3) with acute alcohol intoxication. In addition, the group that received the mushroom had significantly lower ALT and AST levels, indicators of liver damage, than the placebo group.
Also, Lion's mane treatment group has much less fibrosis than the control group. The study concluded that liver damage brought on by acute alcohol exposure could be reduced by supplementing with Lion's mane mushroom.
Cordyceps Mushroom For Liver Health
A study(4) investigated the possible mechanism underlying Cordyceps Sinensis' inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis. Rats were randomly divided into three groups for the study, one of which received the mushroom. At the start of the experiment, the rats were given ethanol and carbon-tetrachloride solution to cause liver fibrosis, except for the animals in the normal group (serving as a control).
After the study, blood and tissue samples were collected. To identify changes, biochemical as well as other biological tests were used.
Researchers concluded that Cordyceps Sinensis could inhibit liver fibrosis brought on by chronic liver damage, improve liver function, and postpone the onset of cirrhosis based on the study's findings.
Maitake Mushrooms For Liver
According to a 2022 study(5), Maitake polysaccharides can potentially protect the liver by preventing the accumulation of fats. In this study, the mushroom's polysaccharides reduced hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress in animals fed a high-fat and cholesterol diet.
The animals' blood and liver lipid profiles and antioxidant status were evaluated.
Researchers concluded that Maitake fruiting bodies might reduce hypercholesterolemia and possibly prevent the lipids' buildup in the liver.
Liver Health And Chaga Mushroom
Chaga has antiviral properties(6) against the Hepatitis C virus, a significant contributor to hepatocellular carcinoma. In a study, within 10 minutes of administration, the mushroom demonstrated its virucidal properties and 100-fold decreased the virus's infective properties.
The Chaga mushroom(7) extract was found to have intense radical scavenging activity against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative liver injury in a study on the hepatoprotective activity in rats. According to the study, consuming Chaga mushrooms may shield the liver from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
FAQs Top 5 Medicinal Mushrooms To Improve And Protect Your Liver Health
What Mushroom Is Best For Fatty Liver?
Reishi mushrooms are known to reduce mild fatty liver to normal. According to research, polysaccharide peptides and triterpenoids are the compounds that confer liver protection and support.
What Mushrooms Are Good For Kidneys?
Results of the numerous studies done on Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps have shown improvements in the function of kidneys. In addition, these mushrooms can reduce inflammation and urinary proteins and help regulate blood pressure and sugar levels, which can damage the kidney.
Do Mushrooms Remove Toxins From The Body?
Several medicinal mushrooms contain antioxidants that can aid your body in battling oxidative stress brought on by too many free radicals and other toxins. In addition, supplementing your diet with mushrooms like Chaga, Reishi, and Cordyceps lowers your risk of developing diseases brought on by toxins.
Key Takeaways
Mushrooms are known to detoxify the liver and control inflammation, oxidative stress, and fat accumulation. The best mushrooms for liver health are Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s mane, Cordyceps, and Maitake. So add them to your diet today to get the liver-supporting benefits of these miraculous mushrooms.
References
- Hepatoprotective role of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide against BCG-induced immune liver injury in mice, (1)https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11213528
- Ameliorative effect of Ganoderma lucidum on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats, (2)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16482628/
- Protective Effect of Hericium erinaceus on Alcohol Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice, (3)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25960751/
- Inhibitive effect of cordyceps sinensis on experimental hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanism, (4)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12632512/
- Polysaccharides of Grifola frondosa ameliorate oxidative stress and hypercholesterolaemia in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, (5)https://academic.oup.com/jpp/article-abstract/74/9/1296/6585934?redirectedFrom=fulltext
- Antiviral activity of Inonotus obliquus fungus extract towards infection caused by hepatitis C virus in cell cultures, (6)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22462058/
- Hepatoprotective Activity of Water Extracts from Chaga Medicinal Mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Higher Basidiomycetes) Against Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Liver Injury in Primary Cultured Rat Hepatocytes, (7)https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291689715
Let Us Know Your Comments