The biggest difference between Lingzhi and pharmaceuticals and many other health foods is this: Lingzhi has been proven effective through human consumption over millennia—indeed, it has been consumed by the general public from ancient times until today. It was only much later that scientists turned to animal and cell experiments to understand why it works. In contrast, with many other products, scientists first conduct cell and animal experiments to explore their potential benefits before widely encouraging the public to buy them for peace of mind and hope.

The same holds true for the application of Ganoderma lucidum in anti-tumor therapy. Thus, scientists’ exploration of Ganoderma lucidum’s anti-tumor effects has continued for over fifty years—since the publication in 1986 by the National Cancer Center Research Institute in Japan of the first-ever study demonstrating Ganoderma lucidum’s anti-tumor activity—and remains vibrant and innovative across countries worldwide.

You’ve probably seen plenty of studies on how Lingzhi mushrooms can help fight lung cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer within the body—but did you know that Lingzhi can also combat stomach cancer?!

A report published in October 2019 by Associate Professor Hyo Jeung Kang from the College of Pharmacy at Kyungpook National University in South Korea, in the journal *Molecules*, confirmed that an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies rich in triterpenoids (hereafter referred to as GLE in this study) can inhibit the growth of gastric tumors in vivo.

Lingzhi dosage affects the efficacy.

The researchers first implanted human gastric cancer cell lines onto the backs of immunodeficient mice (nude mice). After two weeks, when tumors had developed, they administered to the mice an oral dose of GLE, an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum, at 30 mg/kg per day.

By the 23rd day of the experiment, the tumor growth rate in the Ganoderma lucidum group (green curve in Figure 1) was significantly slower than that in the control group, which received no treatment at all (black curve in Figure 1).

Figure 1: A high dose of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract can inhibit the growth of gastric tumors.

However, if the oral administration of GLE—a concentrated extract of Ganoderma lucidum—given to tumor-bearing mice is reduced to one-third, at just 10 mg/kg per day, the tumor growth rate in the Ganoderma group (green curve in Figure 2) becomes comparable to that of the untreated control group (black curve in Figure 2).

Figure 2: A low dose of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract fails to inhibit gastric tumor growth.

In other words, after being digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, the ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum can indeed exert an inhibitory effect on gastric tumors in individuals with compromised immune systems. However, this effect is conditional—specifically, the dosage must be sufficient. Once the dosage is inadequate, the outcome could tragically turn into the frustration of “taking Ganoderma lucidum without any effect.”

The effect of one plus one isn't necessarily greater than two.

This study also explores the synergistic effects of quercetin (QCT, a flavonoid widely found in various fruits, vegetables, and tea) and the ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in inhibiting gastric tumors.

The antioxidant activity of quercetin provides some scientific evidence for the notion that "adequate intake of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of cancer." Therefore, when combined with reishi mushroom, shouldn't they work synergistically—producing a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects?

If you’re willing to take another look at the animal experiment results shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, it’s not hard to notice:

The high-dose combination (30 mg/kg each) of "Ganoderma lucidum + quercetin" was no better than using either component alone. Although the low-dose combination (10 mg/kg each) of "Ganoderma lucidum + quercetin" was superior to using low-dose Ganoderma lucidum alone or low-dose quercetin alone, this improved effect was indistinguishable from that achieved by using a high dose of Ganoderma lucidum alone.

In other words, from a humanistic perspective, we tend to think that “mixing this with that” will enhance the anti-cancer effects of Ganoderma lucidum. However, according to scientific findings, it might actually be more effective to simply “eat plenty of Ganoderma lucidum” and pair it with a well-balanced daily diet—this approach can better help our bodies develop robust, natural anti-cancer self-healing capabilities.

The Epstein-Barr virus, which can coexist peacefully but may also induce cancer.

It is worth noting that the human gastric cancer cell line MKN1-EBV used in the aforementioned animal experiments is a gastric cancer cell line carrying the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Approximately 10% of gastric cancer patients have EBV-associated gastric cancer, characterized by the detection of EBV positivity in the cancer tissue.

In fact, the vast majority of adults have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus without even realizing it. This is because, after entering B cells in the mucosal tissues via the oral mucosa (saliva), the virus lies dormant in these B cells in a latent state, coexisting peacefully with the host for a lifetime.

Only a small number of people develop gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, or lymphoma due to the Epstein-Barr virus. The key factor enabling the EB virus to disrupt this balance and trigger cancer development is a compromised immune function.

So, how many viruses there are for humanity to learn to coexist peacefully with! The simplest way to get along harmoniously with these invaders is to regularly take care of yourself with reishi mushrooms, because reishi contains polysaccharides that can modulate the immune system, as well as triterpenoids that can inhibit viral replication.

And when cancer unfortunately strikes, it’s even more important to consume Reishi mushroom regularly—because at this stage, not only do polysaccharides help boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells, but triterpenes are also needed to directly combat the cancer cells themselves.

The aforementioned Korean study demonstrates that the ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum, rich in triterpenes, can inhibit the growth of EB virus-associated gastric tumors in vivo precisely because it triggers the breakdown of the virus within cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The key ingredient responsible for this “using poison to counter poison” effect is ganoderic acid A, a triterpene found in Ganoderma lucidum.

While ganoderic acids A and other ganoderma triterpenes bravely rush to the front lines to fight the enemy, wouldn't it be even more effective to have ganoderan polysaccharides safeguard the home front through the immune system—thus ensuring a splendid victory?

Therefore, research can isolate and examine individual components separately. However, when actually consuming Reishi mushroom, be sure to choose a product that contains the full spectrum of its active ingredients—taking into account both the “frontline” and the “rear base.” Only then can you expect the desired effects.

[Source of Information]

Sora Huh, et al. Quercetin Synergistically Inhibits EBV-Associated Gastric Carcinoma with Ganoderma lucidum Extracts. Molecules. Oct 24, 2019; 24(21): 3834. doi: 10.3390/molecules24213834. (https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/21/3834)

★This article is published with the exclusive authorization of the author; all rights are reserved by GanoHerb. ★Without GanoHerb’s authorization, this work may not be reproduced, excerpted, or used in any other way. ★For works that have been authorized for use, please use them within the scope of the authorization and clearly indicate the source: GanoHerb. ★GanoHerb will pursue legal liability against those who violate the above statement.