Turkey Tail
Research reviewed: up until 06/2023
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a dietary supplement with 5 published peer-reviewed studies involving 151 participants, researched for Immune system, GI Health, Anti-viral.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Immune system
ModerateGI Health
ModerateAnti-viral
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Immune system
To evaluate the ability of turkey tail polysaccharide peptide to relieve symptoms of advanced lung cancer.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled study
Purpose
To evaluate the ability of turkey tail polysaccharide peptide to relieve symptoms of advanced lung cancer.
Dose
3.06 g/day of turkey tail polysaccharide peptide (3 x 3 x 340 mg capsules; three capsules thrice a day)
Participants
68 patients with non-small cell lung cancer, aged 34-82 years; 58 patients were evaluated
Duration
4 weeks
Results
The researchers observed significant improvements in various health indicators among the patients receiving turkey tail mushroom, while no such improvements were observed in the control group. These improvements included increased white blood cell counts, elevated levels of immune system proteins (serum IgG and IgM), and a reduction in body fat percentage. Increased white blood cells, as well as elevated levels of immune system proteins like serum IgG and IgM, are beneficial because they show that the immune system is actively responding to potential threats and is working to protect the body from infections and diseases.
To investigate how turkey tail mushroom supplements and chemotherapy affect and change the functioning of the immune system of patients with breast cancer.
Study Type
Case report
Purpose
To investigate how turkey tail mushroom supplements and chemotherapy affect and change the functioning of the immune system of patients with breast cancer.
Dose
4 g/day of turkey tail mushroom and a 17-species mushroom formula containing polysaccharides (beta-glucans, arabinoxylane, glucose, xylose, galactose, cordycepic acid, glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids, and other myconutrients). Additional treatments: Maintenance therapy with Herceptin (a medication used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer) every 3 weeks Participant: An 83-year-old woman diagnosed in June 2009 with advanced, metastatic inflammatory breast cancer.
Results
The case report highlighted that the patient, who took a daily dose of turkey tail mushroom alongside a combined mushroom formula and Herceptin treatment for three and a half years, maintained an active and vibrant lifestyle and remained free of the disease.
To investigate the anti-tumor effects of a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called protein-bound polysaccharide K. Protein-bound polysaccharide K has been studied for its potential health benefits, including improvements in the functioning of the immune system.
Study Type
Rodent study (mice with immunodeficiency)
Purpose
To investigate the anti-tumor effects of a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called protein-bound polysaccharide K. Protein-bound polysaccharide K has been studied for its potential health benefits, including improvements in the functioning of the immune system.
Dose
20 mg/kg three times daily of protein-bound polysaccharide K from turkey tail or control (saline/saltwater solution)
Duration
17 days
Results
The protein-bound polysaccharide K from the turkey tail led to a significant reduction in tumour growth compared to the control group on day 17 after tumour implantation.The researchers also found that protein-bound polysaccharide K from the turkey tail not only reached the tumour tissue, but also the spleen and liver.
GI Health
To compare the effects of turkey tail mushroom polysaccharopeptide to a commonly used antibiotic medication (amoxicillin) on the human gut microbiome. The human gut microbiome is a complex collection of microorganisms in the digestive tract that influence digestion, metabolism, immune function, and mental health, contributing to overall well-being.
Study Type
Randomised clinical trial
Purpose
To compare the effects of turkey tail mushroom polysaccharopeptide to a commonly used antibiotic medication (amoxicillin) on the human gut microbiome. The human gut microbiome is a complex collection of microorganisms in the digestive tract that influence digestion, metabolism, immune function, and mental health, contributing to overall well-being.
Dose
3600 mg/day of turkey tail mushroom polysaccharopeptide (3 x 1200 mg capsules) or 750 mg/day of amoxicillin (3 x 250 mg) or placebo
Participants
22 healthy volunteers with an average age of 31 years
Duration
8 weeks
Results
In healthy individuals, the gut microbiome, which refers to the vast community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, is incredibly diverse, meaning there is a vast array of different microorganisms. The diversity of the gut microbiome is essential for its proper functioning and its ability to support overall health. In the study, antibiotic treatment caused substantial, unfavourable microbiome changes, most notably an increase in Escherichia (E. coli)/Shigella. These changes persisted to the end of the study, 42 days after antibiotic therapy ended. Recovery from this disruption to the microbiome can take several weeks. Turkey tail treatment, on the other hand, was found to have the ability to modulate or change the composition of the microbiome in a way that promotes a healthier balance of microorganisms. By acting as a prebiotic (a type of dietary fibre that serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria), turkey tail polysaccharopeptide may positively influence the diversity and overall composition of the microbiome in the human gut.
Anti-viral
To investigate the effects of turkey tail in combination with reishi mushroom on oral human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that mostly spreads through oral sex or mouth-to-mouth contact.
Study Type
Preliminary clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effects of turkey tail in combination with reishi mushroom on oral human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that mostly spreads through oral sex or mouth-to-mouth contact.
Dose
200 mg/day of turkey tail and reishi mushrooms (2 x 100 mg capsules) or 400 mg/day of chicken of the woods mushroom (2 x 200 mg capsules)
Participants
61 oral HPV positive patients
Duration
2 months
Results
The researchers observed that in the group receiving turkey tail and reishi mushroom treatment, 87.8% of the cases showed clearance of oral HPV after 2 months of administration. In contrast, in the control group (treated with chicken of the woods mushroom), only 5% of the cases showed clearance of oral HPV. No adverse events were reported during the study. The results suggest that the combination of turkey tail and reishi mushroom may be an effective treatment for eliminating oral HPV infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Turkey Tail research
There are currently 5 peer-reviewed studies on Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), involving 151 total participants. Research covers Immune system, GI Health, Anti-viral. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Turkey Tail has been researched for: Immune system, GI Health, Anti-viral. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 5 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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