What Are Turkey Tail Mushrooms And Why Are They Beneficial For Your Pets!

• Posted on 1 June 2023
• By Guest Blog: Super Snouts
• Posted in cats, Dog & Cat Wellness, dogs, healthy pet food, Natural & Safe Pet Food Options, Pet food specialist & Staff
• 0

Turkey Tail is the most widely researched of all medicinal mushrooms in the areas of cancer, immune system recovery, and overall health. Numerous medicinal compounds have been isolated from turkey tail and several medical research studies have shown turkey tail to provide a wide range of benefits to human and canine participants.

Turkey Tail is the most widely researched of all medicinal mushrooms in the areas of cancer, immune system recovery, and overall health. Numerous medicinal compounds have been isolated from turkey tail, and several medical research studies have shown turkey tail provides a wide range of benefits to human and canine participants.

Turkey Tail Mushrooms are known by three scientific names: Trametes Versicolor, Coriolus Versicolor, and Polyporus Versicolor. All three Latin names for Turkey Tail mushrooms refer to the same common medicinal mushroom. Turkey's tail gets its name from its vibrant rings of color, similar to a turkey's tail feathers.

Like many medicinal mushrooms, Turkey Tail contains various and unique profiles of polysaccharides with a wide variety of natural functions. Some polysaccharides are used for storing energy, some for sending cellular messages, and others for supporting cells and tissues. One, in particular, is polysaccharide K (PSK). Preliminary research indicates that PSK has potential anticancer activity and may inhibit various cancer onset mechanisms.

PSK can stimulate the immune system, encouraging the body to produce more immune cells that attack foreign and abnormal cells, therefore suppressing the growth of tumors. PSK is deemed very well tolerated in human trials with few side effects. In Japan, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer.

In traditional Western herbal medicine, Turkey Tail benefits the immune system. It is specifically useful in post-viral fatigue and for those prone to infections. It can be taken regularly for balanced immune function support.

This paper will explore its uses and information on the species, including links to scientific studies done on humans and animals and published by the National Institute of Health. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist understanding and education. It does not provide formal guidelines or validate any health claims or recommendations for making health care decisions for you or your pet.

Uses and Potential Benefits

Immune System Support / Immunomodulation 

Turkey Tail mushrooms offer immune system support. They are rich in beta-glucans PSP (Polysaccharopeptide) and PSK (Polysaccharide-K). Polysaccharides can support healthy small intestinal functions to fight against bacteria and viruses.   Test-tube studies have shown that PSP increases white blood cells that fight infection and boost immunity (1). PSK stimulates dendritic cells that promote immunity to toxins and regulate the immune response.  Due to their ability to naturally strengthen the immune system, PSP and PSK are commonly used as anticancer agents in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and/ or radiation in countries like Japan and China (2).  

Antioxidants 

Antioxidants are compounds that help inhibit, reduce damage, or protect cells caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can result in free radicals, leading to cell damage and chronic inflammation. Free radicals have been known to cause other serious conditions like certain cancers and heart disease. Many foods are rich in antioxidants, including Turkey Tail, which includes phenols and flavonoids. Studies have uncovered over 30 different phenolic compounds in Turkey Tail mushrooms. Phenol and flavonoid antioxidants promote immune system health by reducing inflammation and stimulating the release of protective compounds.  

Scientific research has demonstrated many times that turkey tail mushrooms may have anti-tumor properties, thought to be related to their immune-boosting effects. One test-tube study found that PSK (polysaccharide-K) in Turkey Tail mushrooms inhibited the growth and spread of human colon cancer cells (3). 

Coriolus Versicolor glucan (CVG), a polysaccharide found in turkey tail mushrooms, may suppress certain tumors. A study in tumor-bearing mice found that daily treatment with CVG extracted from Turkey Tail mushrooms significantly reduced tumor size (4). Researchers attributed this development to enhanced immune response (5).

Another study demonstrated that daily treatment with turkey tail mushroom extract significantly slowed the spread of cancer cells in dogs with hemangiosarcoma (6), a type of cancer that develops from the cells that normally create blood vessels (endothelial cells). The cause of hemangiosarcoma in most cases is unknown. However, we know that sunlight can cause this cancer on the belly skin, inner thighs, eyelids, and eyelid membranes (conjunctiva) of patients with pale/pink skin and thin fur living in very sunny climates.

Fruiting Body and Mycelium Debate 

(Written by Super Snouts grower who holds a master's Degree in Mycology, Botany, and Biology)

Recently, pet-related publications have debated much about Fruiting Body vs. Mycelium in medicinal mushroom products. Most of this information is false or incorrect and is used by Chinese mushroom companies to sell their products in the US. We have talked with our grower in the Pacific Northwest about this topic and asked him to write a few paragraphs as an expert in three disciplines. He has been growing certified organic mushrooms for 30+ years and holds three Master of Science degrees in Mycology, Botany, and Biology.

"There are thousands of research papers on mycelium's and fruiting body's healing aspects. Both mycelium and fruiting bodies contain 1,3-beta glucans, which provide immune benefits. Where they differ more is with the kinds of triterpenes they each contain. Triterpenes provide more adaptogenic properties: lower blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Triterpenes also help with allergies and asthma. Mycelium is the actual living organism. In comparison to plants, let’s say apples, the mycelium would be analogous to the tree. The fruiting body would be analogous to the apple. A fruiting body is just involved with spore production and dispersal. A fungus (mycelium) living in a log needs to produce a structure that rises up out of the log so that it can drop spores into the air for dispersal to other logs. A fruiting body is, in a sense, just a temporary structure that serves as a dispersal tower.

Similarly, the apple fruit is also involved with reproduction and dispersal. Seeds are formed in the fruit, and the fruit attracts animals to aid in seed dispersal. SuperSnouts.com Using the word “mushroom” to describe just the fruiting body confuses. The word mushroom is actually part of the common name. For instance, if someone goes to the store to buy shiitake, they will frequently say, “I’m going to buy shiitake mushrooms”. As opposed to apples, no one would say, “I’m going to buy apple fruits”. Mushroom is also not a scientific term. The “plant parts” are referred to as either mycelium or fruiting bodies.

Mycelium begins to produce fruiting bodies when they are ready to produce spores. The mycelium that starts forming a fruiting body begins expressing differentiated genes that the vegetative mycelium doesn’t. So, one thing to remember is that fruiting bodies are actually mycelium also (with different gene expression).

What’s interesting is that the mycelium growing vegetatively produces one set of triterpenes, but the mycelium forming fruiting bodies is producing a different set of triterpenes. Both sets of triterpenes have beneficial properties. For instance, reishi is known to have over 140 different triterpenes.

The most well-researched of all the medicinal mushrooms is turkey tail, and almost all of the research has only been conducted with mycelium. Two of the most famous Japanese mushroom products, PSK and PSP, are turkey tail products made only from mycelium and are officially recognized by Japan’s version of the FDA as anti-cancer treatments.

There has also been a lot of research on the mycelium of turkey tail, shiitake, reishi, and chaga. Unfortunately, the distributors of Chinese products are pushing fruiting body really hard and making all sorts of misleading and incorrect statements about fruiting body vs. mycelium in an effort to promote their sales here in the U.S. Many distributors aren’t even located here in the U.S., but are selling through Canada or Finland and do no growing themselves but are just buying Chinese mushrooms and reselling them here.

In short, both the fruiting body and mycelium have benefits that are provided by both and benefits that are only provided by one or the other. Because of this, I have always wanted to produce our mushroom powders so that they contain both the mycelium and the fruiting body when possible and, therefore, provide all the constituents the mushroom offers. Why would you want to miss out on any of them?”

Our Turkey Tail and all medicinal mushrooms are processed with proprietary steam extract methodologies to ensure that the highest degree of water-soluble constituents, such as PSK, PSP, and other polysaccharides, are bioavailable in the end product.

• USDA Certified Organic and grown in the Pacific Northwest
• Certified Kosher, Non-GMO, Gluten Free & Vegan. 
• Hot water extracted from 100% Turkey Tail Mushrooms.

Conclusion

Turkey Tail and other medical mushrooms have been used centuries to treat infections. More recently, and mostly in Asia, they have also been used to treat pulmonary diseases and cancer. Medicinal mushrooms have been approved adjuncts to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China for more than 30 years and have an extensive clinical history of safe use as single agents or combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

More clinical trials need to be done in the United States. Unfortunately, due to lower profits and patent laws, multinational pharmaceutical companies are generally not interested in natural product research and trials.

Super Snouts Turkey Tail mushroom supplements for pets are available in powder form and are usually given to pets to support a healthy immune system and overall health.

Clinical evidence doesn’t support one specific dosage for Turkey Tail. Super Snouts recommends 1 gram per 25lbs of body weight per day for maintenance and 50% more for recovery or serious issues.

It’s always best to check with your veterinarian before using any new supplement.

Turkey Tail can have some minor side effects when beginning use. These include mild diarrhea and darkened stools. If you notice any negative effects or discomfort in your pet while giving Turkey Tail mushrooms, discontinue use immediately and check with your veterinarian.

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