Agaricus blazei grows wild in meadows frequented by wild horses in a mountainous region of Brazil and in the South-East of the United States of America. The attention paid to this agaric is quite recent and after Reishi, it is the most studied mushroom in the last twenty years; many researchers believe that the beta glucans present in this mushroom are the most potent existing in nature. Furthermore, their low molecular weight makes them more easily assimilated.

– The effectiveness of these particular beta-glucans is found above all in the stimulation of the immune system. The action of the fungus is in a first dose-dependent phase and modulates the response of the organism according to the pathological context. The agaric stimulates the activation of all the cells responsible for the defense of the organism, increasing both their number and enhancing their functionality. It is indicated for all the problems of infections caused by pathogens, but most of the studies have been carried out in the oncological field. The results of scientific research have shown that the intake of Agaricus blazei leads to the increase of Natural killer cells with a greater capacity of infiltration into neoplastic tissues. In addition, the fungus has been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth and neoangiogenesis by inducing apoptosis. From experiments conducted on cells in vitro it was found a selective cytotoxicity of the fungus for some types of cancer cells and a protection for all healthy ones. The administration of the mushroom never caused any side effects. A study conducted in Japan on laboratory mice induced cancer with prison chemicals determined that if the fungus is taken at an early stage of the disease, it can prevent the development of cancer by 99.4% of the population. cases with a 90% chance of cure. Another study also on animals to which Sarcoma 180 was implanted subcutaneously, verified that the administration of 10 mg / kg of mushroom led to the disappearance of the tumor in 87.5% of cases and an inhibition of tumor proliferation in 93.6% of cases. The intake of Agaricus has proved to be very useful in association with conventional oncological therapies. In several studies, the administration of the fungus concomitantly with the chemotherapy drug obtained an enhancement of the therapy with a considerable reduction of the side effects. Significant improvements were also observed with the association of the fungus with radiotherapy. Many studies have made it possible to ascertain that the fungus performs an important protective action from the secondary effects caused by radiotherapy and mutagenic substances. The use of Agaricus blazei has proved to be very useful as a supplement in the treatment of some cancers, especially of toxicological origin and in particular lung cancer of smokers. In addition, the researchers found that it is indicated for lymphoproliferative neoplasms and those that cause ascites.

– Agaricus blazei is also useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases due to its ability to regulate and reduce the excessive uncontrolled reactivity of the immune system. It is indicated for all allergic forms and is a valid support in the treatment of type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and in autoimmune neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

– With regard to the liver, the fungus has an important detoxifying and protective action against various carcinogenic substances. In addition, several studies report useful results in cases of chronic hepatitis from virus B and from that C.

– The fungus acts as a “balancer” and is very useful in case of metabolic imbalances. Like other medicinal mushroom species, it can limit fat absorption and reduce cholesterol. It also regulates blood glucose following an improvement in peripheral insulin sensitivity and has therefore been shown to be useful for patients with type II diabetes.

– Agaricus blazei, as well as Shiitake and Flamilina vellutipes, has an important protective action and the use of these species can prevent the onset of degenerative diseases. It has been verified by epidemiological studies that where these species grow spontaneously or in rural areas where there is intense cultivation and consequently a regular use in the diet of the local population, the spread of the main chronic degenerative diseases is significantly lower than the national average with a consequent increase in longevity.