Not typically eaten, due to their tough, chewy texture, turkey tail mushrooms have been used for centuries to treat various conditions. Perhaps the most beneficial quality of turkey tail is its ability to enhance the health of the immune system through a variety of interconnected mechanisms.
Turkey tail mushrooms are high in antioxidants. One study detected over 35 different phenolic compounds in a sample of turkey tail mushroom extract, along with the antioxidants quercetin and baicalein. Phenol and flavonoid antioxidants promote immune system health by reducing inflammation and stimulating the release of protective compounds.
Turkey tail mushrooms also contain polysaccharopeptides, including Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP). Both PSK and PSP possess powerful immune-boosting properties. They promote immune response by both activating and inhibiting specific types of immune cells and by suppressing inflammation. Due to their ability to strengthen the immune system, PSP and PSK are commonly used as anticancer agents in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation in countries like Japan and China.
Another polysaccharide called Coriolus versicolor glucan (CVG) may suppress certain tumors. A study in tumor-bearing mice found that daily treatment with CVG significantly reduced tumor size, an effect attributed to turkey tail’s immune-boosting power. These effects were noticeable when used in combination with traditional treatment protocols.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain prebiotics that can help nourish beneficial gut bacteria, thereby further enhancing turkey tail’s immune-boosting ability. An 8-week study in 24 healthy people found that consuming PSP extracted from turkey tail led to beneficial changes in gut bacteria while suppressing the growth of E. coli and Shigella, two problematic bacteria species. An in vitro study showed that turkey tail extract modified gut bacteria composition by increasing populations of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while reducing potentially harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium and Staphylococcus.
In addition to the above benefits, turkey tail may help reduce inflammation, may help athletic performance, and may improve insulin resistance in those suffering from type two diabetes. —TP
—Adapted from 5 Immune-Boosting Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD on November 6, 2018, www.healthline.com
