Shiitake mushroom

[[File:Shiitake2.jpg|thumb|left|165px|left|Cultivated Shiitake mushrooms]]
{{altmed}}
'''Shiitake<ref>Pronounced "Shee-tah-keh" rather than [https://youtu.be/HpUn9tzwj2E?t=45s "Shit-ache"].</ref> 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. Shiitake mushrooms are also one of a few known natural dietary sources of [[vegan]] [[vitamin D]]. (While your body can make vitamin D when exposed to sun, taking supplements is recommended in winter in less sunny climes, and for people who seldom expose flesh to sunlight; it's hard even for omnivores to get enough vitamin D solely from their diet.<ref>[https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-d Vitamin D], Vegan Society, accessed Sep 5, 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/ Vitamin D], NHS (UK), 3 March 2017</ref>)

Shiitake mushrooms have some chemical compounds, such as ''itchtyol'', worth researching for benefits ranging from anti-viral properties to possible treatments for severe allergies, as well as arthritis. Lenthionine, a key flavour compound of shiitake, inhibits platelet aggregation, so it is a promising treatment for thrombosis.

Compounds in shiitake mushrooms also demonstrate anti-tumor properties in laboratory mice. Studies have identified the polysaccharide lentinan, a (1-3)-β-D-glucan, as the active compound responsible for the anti-tumor effects.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16566671 Inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis in human cancer cell lines by an ethyl acetate fraction from shiitake mushrooms.]</ref> The mushrooms are, consequently, touted by some [[quackery|quacks]] and alternative health gurus as being a cure for [[cancer]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150304084332/https://www.livestrong.com/article/475607-shiitake-mushroom-cancer-treatment/ Shiitake Mushroom Cancer Treatment] by Henry Pitot (Feb 18, 2015) ''Livestrong.com'' (archived from March 4, 2015).</ref> with some citing the aforementioned study to bolster their claims.

Eating raw or undercooked shiitakes can cause a skin reaction, called shiitake mushroom dermatitis, which usually goes away after you stop eating them, and has no long-term effects.<ref>[https://bjgp.org/content/64/625/426 Don’t miss shiitake dermatitis: a case report], Sanja Karanovic, Susannah George and Emma Topham, British Journal of General Practice 2014; 64(625):426-427. doi:10.3399/bjgp14X681193</ref> They may accumulate toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, although they also accumulate nice metals with useful biological functions; hopefully, those available for sale will have been tested for [[toxins]].<ref>[https://jfoodprotection.org/doi/pdf/10.4315/0362-028X-53.10.883 Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Specialty Mushrooms], William M Breene, Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 53, No. 10, Pages 883-894 (October 1990)</ref>

==See also==
*[[Fungus]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{altmedbox}}
[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Consumer issues]]
[[Category:Cancer woo]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Fungi]]

Categories: Alternative medicine, Consumer issues, Cancer woo, Food, Fungi