Can Mushrooms Improve Autoimmune Disease?
Healing autoimmune conditions are not only about removing dietary triggers and repairing intestinal permeability. While those things are a part of the treatment plan in efforts to stop stimulating the production of antibodies, they are not fully addressing the root cause.
What is the reason why someone becomes reactive to food or environmental antigens — going on to develop an autoimmune condition?
The answer is a dysregulated immune system. Discovering the reason for the dysregulation is where a qualified medical professional comes in.
On a cell level, the root cause of Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Disease are B Lymphocytes and T Lymphocytes gone wild. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells which create antibodies to various foods, pathogens and establish clear distinction between what is you and what is foreign.
The problem arises when these lymphocytes start creating antibodies to the enzymes that create thyroid hormone: TPO, Thyroglobulin, Thyrotropin receptor. Eventually, thyroid tissue becomes shredded from the constant attack. Further down the line your immune system loses “oral tolerance” and begins negatively reacting to more and more foods you eat. If this goes on long enough active autoimmune disease ensues.
Aside from viral, parasitic and bacterial infections being a trigger for autoimmune diseases, so too is poor nutrition and poor digestion, leading to undernourishment. Habituated patterns of poor sleep, and prolonged emotional stress can severely dysregulate the immune system. This is when autoimmune diseases can pop up. Cancer is also a severe form of immune system dysregulation.
Mushrooms Normalize The Immune System
Numerous studies have looked into the effects that medicinal mushrooms have on autoimmune conditions, particularly Cordyceps.
In 2013 the Journal of Surgical Research conducted a study with 44 subjects with Graves’ Disease (GD) and 56 subjects with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT). Participants were randomly assigned into treatment groups to receive either the conventional medication for HT and GD or the fermented cordyceps capsule (Chinese Medicine patent, called Corbin Capsule).
Of the GD group, 28 subjects received cordyceps and 16 received an anti-thyroid drug. Of the HT group, 39 received cordyceps and 17 received Levothyroxine.
The study length was 24 weeks. Subjects were instructed to take 2g of the fermented cordyceps 3x/day or their assigned medication daily.
Results: In the Graves Disease group, cordyceps improved Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies by 40.06% and 46.94%. In the Hashimoto’s Thyroid group, cordyceps improved Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies by 51.30% and 39.49%, with cordyceps being most effective in those with Hashimoto’s hypothyroid vs. euthyroid. The control group had no significant change in antibodies or CD cells.
Result of the cordyceps Graves’ Disease group:
At the end of treatment between GD-Cordyceps group and GD-Medication groups, the mean serum FT3 level, FT4 and TSH groups were deemed not statistically significant difference. But antibody levels significantly declined in the cordyceps group by 40.06% and nearly 47%.
Analyzing the data, while it may not be statistically significant, the cordyceps group did better at normalizing thyroid function than medication group.
In the cordyceps group: FT3 decreased 4.5 points. FT4 decreased 8.11 points. TSH increased 1.27 points. Whereas in the conventional medicine group: FT3 increased 2.86 points, FT4 decreased 7.41 points, TSH increased 1.05 points.
Result of the Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis group:
At the end of treatment between HT-Cordyceps group and HT-Medication groups, thyroid function was improved in both when compared to the baseline at the end of treatment. Neither the mean serum FT4 levels nor serum TSH level showed statistical difference with the control group. However, in the cordyceps group, TPO-Ab and TG-Ab declined by 51.30% and 39.49% of baseline.
Analyzing the data, while it may not be statistically significant, the cordyceps group did better at normalizing thyroid function than medication group.
In the cordyceps group: FT3 increased 0.8 points. FT4 increased 3.08 points. TSH decreased 7.58 points. Whereas in the conventional medicine group: FT3 increased 0.5 points, FT4 increased 3.86 points, TSH decreased 6.66 points.
My Patient Testimonials
Patient A began taking mushrooms for 7 months, and the Thyroglobulin antibody completely normalized. The lab cuts off measuring at a level of 600 so we don’t know what her actual measurement of TPO antibodies are.
Patient B began taking a mushroom complex and in nearly 1.5 years TPO antibodies decreased from 303 to 20
The mushroom complex I use is MyCommunity by Host Defense. It contains 17 types of mushrooms which robustly activate and regulate the immune system. Backed by a peer reviewed study: Immune Activating Properties of Host Defense® MyCommunity® Mushroom Blend Confirmed by New, Peer-Reviewed Research
Create an account on FullScripts to purchase: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/melissamullin/
Other Things That Improve Thyroid Function
- Selenium: 200mcg of selenium daily can be acquired from Brazil nuts or taking a supplement. Be sure to test your selenium level periodically (as I have seen this become too high!)
- Vitamin D3: Supplementation is necessary even if you are outside. I have NEVER seen 1 person (in 11 years’ experience) with normal vitamin D levels just from sun exposure. K2-D3 5000 IUs is the dose I recommend for my patients. Magnesium deficiency can also impair absorption of Vitamin D.
- Meditation: Meditation and feeling a sense that you are cared for or loved can normalize T-cells (immune system) and reduces allergies. This goes with the emotional stress bit.
Unusual Causes of Thyroid Dysfunction
In my practice, I find autoimmunity can develop in genetically susceptible individuals after viral infections. Ten years ago, it was Epstein Barr Virus, now it is COVID
Prolonged emotional stress: feeling “stuck” in any capacity of your life. Doing a job that you hate, being a student, financial strain, not feeling happy in your romantic relationship.
Because the thyroid gland can sense danger, believing that the world is not safe or not feeling safe in your own body can lead to thyroid dysfunction. I’ve also found that being too empathetic with weak boundaries and taking on the suffering of others — causes thyroid dysfunction. Say NO when you need to.
Tools that can facilitate understanding and regulating your own emotions
1) Prayer and meditation
2) Non-Somatic Extraordinary Vessel Acupuncture
3) NAET for emotional allergies
4) Breath work
5) Speaking to a qualified therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Neuro Linguistic Programming.
Other Benefits of Mushrooms
Numerous studies have found that maitake, shiitake, reishi, oyster, turkey tail, cordyceps mushrooms suppress the Human Papilloma Virus — even the most oncogenic strains. There are over 100+ strains of HPV, and only 14 are high-risk. High risk can cause genital warts, cervical, anal, and throat cancers.
Studies have found that giving these mushrooms cleared 78-88% of HPV within 1-6 months of taking them. Mushrooms contain alpha & beta glucans, which increase Natural Killer Cells and allow viruses of all kinds to be suppressed more efficiently.
The mushroom complex I use is MyCommunity by Host Defense. It contains 17 types of mushrooms which robustly activate and regulate the immune system. Backed by a peer reviewed study: Immune Activating Properties of Host Defense® MyCommunity® Mushroom Blend Confirmed by New, Peer-Reviewed Research
Create an account on FullScripts to purchase: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/melissamullin/
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
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