Nutrition and You: Chaga Mushroom (ononotus obliquus)

The Chaga Mushroom is a type of fungus that mainly grows on the bark of live mature birch trees that appear in cooler climates found in the Baltics, Korea, China, Japan, Siberia, Alaska, and Northern Canada.

Since its discovery, the Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus Obliquus) has been found to contain many therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective (00). The Chaga Mushroom contains large amounts of anti-oxidants and bioactive compounds that have long been studied for use as chemotherapeutic agents because of their anti-cancer properties, and the extensive phytochemicals that are immune-stimulating.

These compounds are reported to positively affect peripheral blood cells and bone marrow, inducing formation of increased blood cells (hematopoiesis), and modifying the function of the immune system by inhibiting white blood cell activity and stimulation of antibody formation. (1) In patients undergoing radiation therapy or chemo, the bones are adversely affected leaving them susceptible to infections and diseases that would further complicate their health. In other research, it has also been discovered that the triterpenes (2) found in Chaga help significantly in inhibiting tumor growth by apoptosis (a process which cells undergo when dysfunctional) (3). In addition to the many compounds and their benefits, the Chaga Mushroom contains an abundance of antioxidants which aid in neutralizing free radicals in the body.

Most of society today has some form of inflammation in their body. Inflammation arises in human tissue in response to toxicity, trauma, or infections and directly attacks healthy tissue which is the culprit behind many chronic ailments. With these conditions, people have increased blood and tissue concentrations of various cytokines in their blood than others. (4). The naturally occurring compounds in Chaga that help inhibit the production of more cytokines are betulinic acid, inotodial, and ergosterol peroxide.

The anti-oxidants found in Chaga help intercept free radicals, assist in reducing oxidative stress – making the mushroom hepatoprotective, meaning that it protects the liver (5). Our livers are most susceptible to damage as it is the primary organ in the body that cleanses toxins from the blood and processes food into energy. Free radicals are reactive molecules that our bodies naturally produce in response to toxic environmental triggers such as, cigarette smoke, air pollution, too much UV rays, and industrial chemicals (6). These naturally occurring anti-oxidants reduce free radicals’ capacity to damage cells by neutralizing them through safe interaction and terminating the reaction before vital molecules are adversely affected.

While Chaga appears to be well examined and used, it should be noted that no formal study has been done on its clinical safety. This means there may be side effects in some individuals. Always consult with your physician and if you are taking blood thinners or have an upcoming surgery, note that Chaga has been found to contain a protein that inhibits blood clotting (7).

We hope this article has shown light to a few of the many amazing benefits of Chaga. These benefits, though known for centuries by the inhabitants of Chaga’s native lands, have now been rigorously demonstrated in scientific studies, and the best may yet to be discovered.

References:

1. Géry et al., 2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6142110
2. Kim, 2005: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3774877
3. Zhao et al., 2016: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11418-016-1002-4
4. Lee et al., 2009: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19367670
5. Elsayed et al., 2014: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4258329/
6. Sanchez, 2016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5625788
7. Lobo et al., 2010: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911
8. Hyun et al., 2006: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16289471