Oyster Mushrooms are A Functional Food Ally in the Fight Against Cancer

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Author, and Retired Pharmacist

When it comes to integrative cancer care, nature offers some remarkable tools, and one of the most promising is the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). More than just a savory culinary ingredient, oyster mushrooms are gaining traction in peer-reviewed studies for their anticancer, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties.

What Makes Oyster Mushrooms Unique?

Oyster mushrooms are rich in:

• β-glucans – immune-modulating polysaccharides[i]
• Ergothioneine – a potent antioxidant that accumulates in tissues under oxidative stress[ii]
• Phenolic compounds, lectins, and terpenoids – with documented anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Yes! Lectins have anticancer activity![iii]

Together, these bioactive molecules contribute to:

• Inhibiting tumor cell proliferation[iv]
• Enhancing the activity of
...