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Turkey Tails Extract

Also known as: Coriolus versicolor, Turkey Tail mushroom, Coriolus mushroom, Trametes versicolor

Overview

Turkey Tail extract is derived from the fruiting body of *Trametes versicolor*, a common wood-decay fungus. It contains bioactive compounds such as polysaccharopeptides (PSP), polysaccharide-K (PSK), phenolic acids, peptides, and sphingolipids. It is primarily used as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment to enhance immune function and improve survival outcomes. Other applications include anti-infective effects and potential bone health benefits. Research on Turkey Tail extract is relatively mature, with multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses supporting its use, particularly in oncology. It is available as a medicinal mushroom extract, often standardized for its PSP or PSK content.

Benefits

Turkey Tail extracts, particularly PSK and PSP, have demonstrated significant benefits as an adjunct in cancer therapy. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including one in 2019 involving 2,587 cancer patients across 13 RCTs, show improved overall survival and disease-free survival in various cancers like gastric, colorectal, lung, and hepatocellular carcinoma when added to standard care. Clinical trials also indicate enhanced immune modulation, with observed increases in B- and T-lymphocyte counts in cancer patients. Beyond oncology, in vitro studies suggest anti-parasitic activity, with methanol extracts inhibiting *Toxoplasma gondii* growth at low concentrations. Preclinical animal studies also point to potential bone health benefits, showing polysaccharopeptides may reduce bone loss and improve bone strength in models of diabetic osteoporosis and metastatic cancer. Some research further suggests Turkey Tail extracts may mitigate adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in colorectal cancer patients, potentially improving treatment adherence.

How it works

Turkey Tail extracts primarily exert their effects through immune modulation. The polysaccharide components, PSK and PSP, stimulate both innate and adaptive immunity by activating macrophages, natural killer cells, and lymphocytes. In the context of anti-parasitic effects, the extracts induce reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial disruption in parasites like *T. gondii*. Other bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids and sphingolipids, contribute to its overall effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. The oral bioavailability of polysaccharopeptides is moderate, and some of their immunomodulatory effects are believed to involve interaction with gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Side effects

Turkey Tail extracts are generally well tolerated and possess a favorable safety profile, as evidenced in numerous clinical trials. Common side effects are rare, occurring in less than 5% of users, and typically manifest as mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. No significant drug interactions have been consistently reported, nor are there widely recognized contraindications for its use. Even in special populations, such as cancer patients undergoing rigorous treatments, Turkey Tail has been used adjunctively without major safety concerns documented in randomized controlled trials. This indicates a high degree of safety when used as directed.

Dosage

Dosage recommendations for Turkey Tail extract vary depending on the specific preparation and the intended use. In clinical trials, particularly for cancer adjunct therapy, PSK doses commonly range from 3 to 6 grams per day, administered orally. This range appears to be the minimum effective dose for achieving immune modulation and survival benefits, although a precise optimal dosing regimen is not yet fully standardized. The form of the extract (e.g., capsule, powder, or injection) and the concentration of bioactive compounds like PSK or PSP are important factors influencing dosing. In cancer settings, timing typically involves concurrent administration with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

FAQs

Is Turkey Tail safe during chemotherapy?

Yes, randomized controlled trials indicate that Turkey Tail is generally safe when used concurrently with chemotherapy and may help reduce adverse effects.

How soon do benefits appear?

Immune system changes can be observed within weeks of starting supplementation, while significant survival benefits in cancer are typically assessed over months to years of consistent use.

Does it cure cancer?

No, Turkey Tail is not a standalone cure for cancer. It is used as an adjunctive therapy to complement standard medical treatments, enhancing their efficacy and supporting the immune system.

Can it be used for infections?

Preliminary in vitro data suggest potential anti-parasitic activity, but robust clinical evidence for its use in treating human infections is currently lacking.

Research Sources

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35676-6 – This in vitro study investigated the anti-parasitic effects of Turkey Tail methanol extract. It found that the extract inhibited *Toxoplasma gondii* tachyzoite growth with an IC50 of approximately 6 µg/mL and exhibited low cytotoxicity, suggesting a potential mechanism involving mitochondrial reactive oxygen species induction in parasites.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10183216/ – This research, combining a retrospective cohort study with a review of RCTs, indicated that PSK adjunctive therapy improved survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients post-gastrectomy. It also suggested a reduction in the risk of lymph node metastasis, highlighting its role in gastric cancer management despite some variability in RCT results.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36445793/ – This systematic review of randomized controlled trials concluded that *Coriolus versicolor* (Turkey Tail) used as an adjunct therapy reduced adverse effects and improved survival in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The findings support its role in enhancing patient tolerance and outcomes during cancer treatment.
https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Turkey_Tail_Mushrooms.pdf – This source, while not a primary research paper, summarizes preclinical animal studies indicating that polysaccharopeptides from Turkey Tail may reduce bone loss and improve bone strength. This suggests potential benefits for bone health, particularly in conditions like diabetic osteoporosis and metastatic cancer models.
https://www.naturemedclinic.com/examining-the-coriolus-turkey-tail-mushroom-in-cancer-care/ – This article summarizes meta-analyses and systematic reviews, indicating a significant survival advantage in various cancers for patients receiving Turkey Tail adjunct therapy. It also highlights improvements in immune parameters, consolidating the evidence for its role in supportive cancer care, despite some variability in extract standardization across studies.