Mushroom

Shiitake

Lentinula edodes

Evidence TierBWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

1000–3000

watchEffect Window

4-6 weeks for measurable immune marker shifts.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Shiitake is an edible mushroom containing beta-glucans and compounds such as eritadenine. It is used for immune support and modest lipid-related effects and can provide vitamin D2 when UV exposed.

Dietary shiitake can support immune function through beta-glucans, and some studies show modest improvements in lipid biomarkers. UV-exposed shiitake increases vitamin D2 intake and can improve vitamin D status. Minority evidence suggests improved gut microbiome diversity and reduced inflammation markers. Effects depend on preparation, dose, and whether benefits come from food-level intake versus concentrated extracts.

Beta-glucan (lentinan) activates macrophages, T-cells, and NK cells. Eritadenine inhibits cholesterol synthesis enzyme.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Immune system support (sIgA increase, CRP reduction)

Secondary Outcomes

  • Mild cholesterol-lowering via eritadenine
  • Adjunctive oncology support (injectable lentinan)

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Mushroom allergy
  • Autoimmune diseases

Side effects

  • GI upset
  • Shiitake dermatitis (flagellate erythema from raw/undercooked)

Interactions

  • Immunosuppressants

Avoid if

  • Autoimmune disease
  • Mushroom allergy

Evidence

Study-level References

shiitake-SRC-001RCT (Parallel group)
Sourceopen_in_new

Dai X, et al. "Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults." J Am Coll Nutr. 2015.

Population: Healthy young adults (ages 21-41)

Key findings: Consuming mushrooms daily improved immunity, as seen by improved cell proliferation and activation, and higher sIgA production. The changes observed suggest that shiitake mushrooms also improved gut immunity and lowered inflammation (decreased CRP).

Paper content

Consuming mushrooms daily improved immunity, as seen by improved cell proliferation and activation, and higher sIgA production. The changes observed suggest that shiitake mushrooms also improved gut immunity and lowered inflammation (decreased CRP).

shiitake-SRC-002Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_new

Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al. AHCC Supplementation to Support Immune Function to Clear Persistent Human Papillomavirus Infections. Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902. PMID:35814366.

Population: 50 women over age 30 with persistent high-risk HPV infections lasting more than 2 years.

Dose protocol: AHCC 3 g daily for 6 months versus placebo in 50 women with persistent high-risk HPV infections

Key findings: 63.6% of AHCC recipients achieved HPV RNA/DNA negativity at 6 months versus 10.5% placebo. 64.3% of responders maintained clearance 6 months after stopping. IFN-beta suppression correlated with durable clearance.

Notes: AHCC is a shiitake mycelium-derived proprietary product. Results should not be directly extrapolated to whole shiitake or standard lentinan extracts.

Paper content

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested AHCC (a shiitake mycelium-derived compound) at 3 g daily for 6 months in 50 women with persistent high-risk HPV infections. Among AHCC recipients, 63.6% achieved HPV RNA/DNA negativity at 6 months compared with 10.5% in the placebo group. Notably, 64.3% of responders maintained clearance 6 months after stopping supplementation, suggesting durable immune modulation. IFN-beta suppression correlated with increases in T lymphocytes and IFN-gamma and durable HPV clearance. AHCC was well tolerated with no significant adverse effects. This is a notable result for a shiitake-derived product, though AHCC is a distinct proprietary preparation and findings should not be directly extrapolated to whole shiitake mushrooms or standard lentinan extracts.

shiitake-SRC-003Comprehensive narrative review.
Sourceopen_in_new

Baral B. Holistic Evaluation of Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes): Unraveling Its Medicinal and Therapeutic Potentials. Chem Biodivers. 2025;22(12):e01244. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202501244. PMID:40825148.

Population: Review covering in vitro, animal, and human studies of shiitake mushroom bioactives.

Dose protocol: Comprehensive review of shiitake bioactive compounds and therapeutic applications

Key findings: Catalogs lentinan, eritadenine, lenthionine, and other bioactives with antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory properties. Emphasizes standardization challenges.

Notes: Review article providing updated synthesis of the shiitake evidence base. No new primary data.

Paper content

This 2025 comprehensive review evaluates the medicinal potential of shiitake mushrooms. The author catalogs key bioactive compounds including lentinan, eritadenine, lenthionine, and multiple secondary metabolites. The review summarizes evidence for antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory properties, along with emerging dermatological applications. The author notes that processing advances have improved safety profiles but emphasizes that standardization and quality control remain critical challenges. The review provides an updated synthesis of shiitake's therapeutic evidence base but does not introduce new primary data.

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