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Reishi and viruses
Reishi has compounds that may have antiviral activity, including activity against the Epstein-Barr virus.

Reishi and immune function
Oral administration of reishi results in Th1-associated immuno-potentiating activities in vivo.

Reishi and cancer
Reishi has been shown to be a potential agent in the treatment or prevention of certain cancers. In one study, reishi suppressed cell adhesion and cell migration of highly invasive breast and prostate cancer cells, suggesting its potency to reduce tumor invasiveness. Reishi clearly demonstrates anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer.
Water soluble extracts from Reishi inhibit colon tumors in mice.
Reishi may enhance the immune response in those with end stage cancer.

Combined effect of green tea and Ganoderma lucidum on invasive behavior of breast cancer cells.
Int J Oncol. 2007 Apr;30(4):963-9. Thyagarajan A, Zhu J, Sliva D. Cancer Research Laboratory, Methodist Research Institute, E504, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Epidemiological studies have suggested that consumption of green tea may decrease the risk of a variety of cancers. In addition, reishi mushroom has been used for the promotion of health, longevity and treatment of cancer in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study we show that extract from green tea increased the anticancer effect of reishi extract on cell proliferation (anchorage-dependent growth) as well as colony formation (anchorage-independent growth) of breast cancer cells. Our study suggests the potential use of combined green tea and reishi extracts for the suppression of growth and invasiveness of metastatic breast cancers.

Additional benefits of reishi
Animal studies indicate reishi has the ability to lower cholesterol levels.

Reishi toxicity and safety
Giving reishi to human volunteers for a period of 4 weeks did not lead to any toxicity.

Safety and tolerability of Ganoderma lucidum Reishi in healthy subjects: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Am J Chin Med. 2007;35(3):407-14. Wicks SM, Tong R, Wang CZ, O'Connor M, Karrison T, Li S, Moss J, Yuan CS. Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
In this controlled study, we evaluated the safety and tolerance of oral administration of reishi in 16 human volunteers who received 2 grams of the reishi extract or placebo twice daily for 10 consecutive days. No reishi side effects were observed after the extract intake. Although there were no obvious changes in CD4, CD8, and CD19 levels after the extract, CD56 cell count increased during the study and returned to baseline 10 days after the herbal intake. However, due to relatively high variability and small sample size, this CD56 increase did not achieve statistical significance.

Reishi Mushroom (Full Spectrum), 460 mg, 100 Tablets - Planetary Formulas
Full Spectrum Reishi Mushroom - Reishi contains more than 100 oxygenated lanostane teripenesm , many of which are known for their ability to support our immune defenses.  Planetary Formulas Full Spectrum Reishi Mushroom combines a highly concentrated extracted of the nature fruiting body with the mycelia biomass, to ensure that every bit of reishi activity is present and easily assimilable.

Reishi supplement questions
Q. Does reishi increase dopamine levels?
   A. Reishi may be helpful in protecting brain cells that make dopamine from being harmed, but we have not seen any human or animal studies regarding the influence of reishi on dopamine levels.

Q. I would like to know prolonged usage of reishi mushroom supplement due to added calcium in the Planetary Formulas reishi mushroom product. Is it likely that one can develop kidney stones in particular when one consumes a lot of food containing calcium in the diet - eg. spinach, sweet potatoes, peanuts, bok choy, etc.
   A. Kidney stones are likely when calcium ingestion through supplements is more than 800 mg or 1000 mg a day. It is difficult to blame kidney stones on calcium intake through vegetables.
 

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