Turkey Tail Mushrooms: Emerging Research
Mushrooms are a popular part of the diet and provide a range of nutrients including vitamins, minerals as well as protein and fibre. Mushrooms and what nutrients and goodness they deliver do differ pending the variant but they all provide a range of health advantages and as a result can help support bone health needs - thanks to containing vitamin D, heart health as well as having anti-inflammatory benefits and helping to support our immune health to name just some of the wellness help that mushrooms provide. Here we take a closer look at turkey tail mushrooms and the emerging health research and evidence behind them.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms – the basics
Turkey tail mushrooms (scientific name: Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) are multicoloured fungi that grow in many countries, including the UK and Europe. They grow throughout the year, particularly in autumn and winter, on tree trunks and fallen trees in wooded areasand have a concave cup that attaches directly to the tree or log. They can be up to 10 cm wide. They have a tough and leathery texture and are named for their variety of colours and shapes, which resemble the tail feathers of wild turkeys. These mushrooms are saprotrophic, which means they obtain nutrients from decomposing matter - breaking down dead wood and using it as nutrients.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries - and are a popular ingredient in mushroom teas and tinctures. In traditional Chinese medicine, people use turkey tail extract (Yun zhi) to help aid respiratory conditions. However, recently turkey tail mushrooms are being researched for immune support and prebiotic, gut health benefits.
What’s in Turkey Tail mushrooms that makes them so special?
Turkey tail mushrooms contain various polysaccharides, including polysaccharopeptide (PSP), Polysaccharide--Krestin (PSK) and β-1,3 and β-1,4 glucans – and it is the PSP and PSK that are the main active compounds of research interest. In addition to the polysaccharides, turkey tail mushrooms also contain a wide variety of phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopene content with anti-inflammatory and/or antimicrobial activity.
Health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms – latest emerging research
• Supporting immune health: Laboratory research has shown that polysaccharopeptidesmonocytes - a type of white cell that helps reduce inflammation, fights infection and supportsimmune health. Polysaccharopeptides stimulates dendritic cells, which promote immunity to toxins and regulate the immune response. In addition, polysaccharopeptides activates natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that helps protect against pathogens which are bad news for our immune health and our wellness in general.
• Good news for our guts: Turkey tail mushrooms contain prebiotics which help nourish healthy gastrointestinal bacteria. Research has found that turkey tail mushrooms may have a similarly positive effect on the gut microbiome as prebiotic supplements. A laboratory study found 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. Research has found that turkey tail mushrooms can potentially alter the gut microbiome and may help the gut to regulate the microbiome.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): A study of 91 women with HPV infection found that 84.9% of those who took turkey tail-based vaginal gel had a normal pap smear and colposcopy six months after treatment. This compared to 64.5% of those who did not use the gel. In addition, 59.6% of women treated were completely cleared of the virus compared to 41.9% who were not treated. In a randomised controlled open-label study in 41 women over 40 years, Coriolus versicolor vaginal gel repaired cervical HPV lesions to a greater extent than placebo after six months. A similar study in women over 25 years showed similar results. More research is needed.
Ask the GP: Generally, specialty mushrooms (Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s mane, Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, and Turkey tail) are safe to take, however if you are taking other medications, or have any medical conditions it’s best to check with your GP first. Although allergic reactions and an upset stomach are uncommon, it is possible. You shouldn’t ingest specialty mushroom within two weeks of surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder. If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or have an autoimmune disease, check with your doctor before use.