A review of research on an ordinary supermarket mushroom

Exotic mushrooms such as shitaki, maitaki, and cordyceps have long been known to have medicinal properties, ranging from immune system activation to cancer prevention. However, I was surprised to learn that an ordinary supermarket mushroom has been been shown to prevent cancer.

White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) was a subject of several studies by Dr Schiuan Chen at Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, CA. Dr Chen's laboratory showed that white button mushroom contains cancer-preventing constituent called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA blocks estrogen production in the body, the hormone that feeds the growth of breast cancer cells.

Dr Chen's team estimated that 100 grams, or less than 4oz, of white button mushroom daily would help to prevent cancer.

Let your food be your medicine! I am off to make mushroom soup! How are you planning on incorporating mushrooms into your daily diet?

{this is a chicken on the woods mushroom as photographed on our last mushroom foraging trip to Temescal Canyon}

{this is an unidentified mushroom found in Temescal Canyon}

{California poppies, Temescal Canyon}

Adams LS, Phung S, Wu X, Ki L, Chen S.White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) exhibits antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties and inhibits prostate tumor growth in athymic mice.Nutr Cancer. 2008;60(6):744-56.

Chen S, Oh SR, Phung S, Hur G, Ye JJ, Kwok SL, Shrode GE, Belury M, Adams LS, Williams D.Anti-aromatase activity of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).Cancer Res. 2006 Dec 15;66(24):12026-34.