The Magic of Mushrooms: They Hold Cancer-Fighting Powers

A recent study reveals the magic of mushrooms. In case you didn't know, they have cancer-fighting powers.

According to a recent study conducted on Japanese shiitake mushrooms, researchers discovered that the active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) that was extracted from the vegetable could be used to treat cervical cancer cells created in mice models. In fact, they discovered that after 90 days following, the property was capable of eliminating HPV infections and even reducing the rate of cervical cancer growth.

"The results of this study were very encouraging," said Dr. Judith A. Smith, at the University of Texas Health Science Center Medial School at Houston, and lead researcher on this study, via CBS Houston. "This study, initiated in 2008, shows that by itself AHCC has the potential to treat the HPV infection."

HPV, which stands for the human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause cervical cancer in some cases. In other instances, it has even had the ability to increase the risk of throat and mouth cancers, along with genital warts. Though most strains of HPV are more harmless, statistics show that roughly three-quarters of all women will contract the virus at some point in their lifetime.

But how exactly does this small vegetable help to reduce cancer? Well researchers believe that the AHCC works by helping the body's immune system fight the virus. Not to mention that AHCC is currently used as an alternative cancer therapy in Japan.

"AHCC is a common, well tolerated nutritional supplement that has been used for decades in Japan. I am very excited to be pursuing a nutritional approach to trying to find a treatment for HPV infections," Smith adds, via The Daily Mail. "We had previously demonstrated an antiretroviral regimen that successfully eradicated the HPV infection but wanted to develop a more benign protocol, since these medications have a number of side effects."

What do you think?

More information regarding was presented at the Society of Gynecological Oncology 45^th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer in Tampa, Fl.