Almond Blight - Comprehensive Prevention

Bioactive ingredients

β-D-glucans – The Immunomodulators

Biological Response Modifiers (BRM): Immunomodulation and Antitumor Activity

High content of β-D-glucans – These remarkable compounds promote homeostasis in the body by modulating the body’s response to shifts in its natural balance

Proteins – The Building Blocks of Life

High protein content: 45% in dried powder

Rich in proteins – structural components for tissues, cytokines, and enzymes

Lipids – The Building Blocks of Cell Membranes

High lipid content – linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid

Key components of cell membranes – Structural support for cell integrity

Specific Polysaccharides – The Tumor Inhibitors

AB-P, ATOM, AB-FP – Various polysaccharides with direct cytotoxic effects

Antitumor/anticarcinogenic – Direct cytotoxic effect on degenerated cells

Hydrazin-Agaritin – The Controversial Active Ingredient

Potential antitumor activity – Some authors claim antitumor activity, even though it is carcinogenic in animals

Clinical Safety – Clinical trial found no toxicity in humans

Blazein – The Tumor Inhibitor

Antitumor – Specific effect against tumor and carcinoma cells

Blazeispiran A – The Liver Protector

Syn. Blazeispirol A

Antitumor – Particularly effective against liver cancer cells

Agarol – The Ergosterol Fighter

ergosterol derivative

Antitumor – Broad spectrum of activity against various types of cancer

Agaricoglycerides – The Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Anti-inflammatory – Reduction of chronic inflammatory processes

Pain-relieving – Analgesic properties

Antidiabetic – Regulation of blood sugar metabolism

Ubiquinone – The Melanin Regulator

Syn. Coenzyme Q10

Inhibits tyrosinase activity and melanin production

Antioxidant – Cell protection against oxidative stress

Nutritional Profile – The Vitamin and Mineral Package

Macronutrients:

Humidity: 90%
Protein: 2–40%
Fat: 2–8%
Carbohydrates: 1–55%
Dietary fiber: 3–32%

Essential minerals:

Phosphorus: 939 mg/100 g
Iron: 18.2 mg/100 g
Calcium: 41.6 mg/100 g

B-vitamin complex:

Thiamin (vitamin B1): 0.48 mg/100 g
Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 2.84 mg/100 g
Niacin (vitamin B3): 40.9 mg/100 g

Therapeutic Applications

Complementary Cancer Treatment – The Tumor Specialist

In vitro studies: Antitumor activity against various types of cancer

Spectrum of activity:

Lymphomas (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
Breast, liver, prostate, lung, skin, and stomach cancer cells
Leukemia cells (induced by agaritin)
Liver cancer cells (induced by Blazeispiran A)
Lung, stomach, tongue, and oral cancer cells (using Agarol)

In vivo studies: Positive results in animal models

Prevention and cure rates: Over 90% in mice with sarcomas

Inhibitory effect on:

Tumor size
Neoangiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels)
Metastasis

Types of cancer: fibrosarcomas, leukemia, myeloma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gynecological cancers, and prostate cancer

Clinical trials: Improving the efficacy and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, leukemia, and multiple myeloma

Autoimmune Diseases – The Immune Regulator

Type 1 diabetes mellitus – autoimmune damage to the pancreas

Thyroid disorders:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis – Autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland
Graves' disease – Hyperthyroidism

Rheumatic diseases:

Lupus erythematosus – A systemic autoimmune disease
Rheumatoid arthritis – joint inflammation

Allergic Conditions – The Allergy Stopper

IgE-mediated allergies – Protection against allergic reactions in mouse models

Asthma Treatment – In Combination with H. erinaceus and G. frondosa: Reduction of General Allergic Symptoms in Asthma Patients

Viral and Bacterial Infections – The Immune Booster

HIV Treatment – Positive Effects When Combined with Conventional Antiretroviral Therapy

Herpes simplex virus – Antiviral effects in cell and animal studies

Streptococcal Infections – Prevention and Improved Survival Rates in Mouse Models

Protection Against Sepsis – Protection Against Fatal Sepsis in a Mouse Model of Fecal Peritonitis

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases – The Gut Healer

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease – Reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood and calprotectin in the stool

Anti-inflammatory effects – Systemic reduction of inflammatory markers

Hepatoprotective effect – The liver protector

Hepatitis B and C – Reduction of viral load and normalization of liver function in human studies

Toxic liver damage – Improvement of alcoholic liver damage in vivo

Liver Function – Protection and Regeneration of Liver Cells

Metabolic Syndrome – The Metabolism Optimizer

Type 2 diabetes mellitus – Clinical study reports improved insulin sensitivity

Hypertension – Significant reduction in blood pressure in clinical trials

Hypercholesterolemia – Inconsistent results regarding cholesterol-lowering effects in clinical trials

Osteoporosis – Positive Effects on Bone Health in Animal Models

Respiratory Diseases – The Lung Support System

Asthma – Positive therapeutic effects in mouse models

Chronic Bronchitis – Supporting Respiratory Function

Skin Health – The Skin Protector

Environmental protection – protection against environmental toxins, pollution, chemicals, and radiation

Anti-aging effects:

Reduction of age spots
Stimulation of skin fibroblasts
Prevention of benign keratoses

Cancer Prevention: Prevention of malignant tumors, melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and mycosis fungoides

Inhibition of melanogenesis – Suppression of tyrosinase activity in vitro and in vivo

Traditional Applications – The Time-Tested Range

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

Lumbago (lower back pain)
Leg pain
Numb limbs
Discomfort in tendons and veins

General health promotion:

Physical and emotional stress
Boosting the immune system
Improving the quality of life for people with diabetes
Lowering cholesterol levels
Prevention of Osteoporosis
Prevention of Stomach Ulcers
Treatment of circulatory and digestive problems
Fighting Cancer

Safety considerations

Liver toxicity – Severe liver dysfunction was reported in three cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy while receiving ABM extract

Precautions – Monitoring of liver function is recommended for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

References

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Guthmann, J. Healing Mushrooms: The World’s Most Important Species: Description – Components – Effects. 2nd, updated and expanded edition. Wiebelsheim: Quelle & Meyer Verlag; 2021. Page 53.

Rebensburg, P., & Kappl, A. Healthy with Medicinal Mushrooms: Strengthening the Immune System, Healing Illnesses, and Relieving Ailments. Munich: riva; 2020. 271 pp.

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Stamets, P. Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. 3rd ed. Berkeley, Calif.: Ten Speed Press; 2000. 574 pp.

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Firenzuoli F, Gori L, Lombardo G. The medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill: A literature review and pharmacological and toxicological issues. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. March 2008; 5(1):3–15.

Martin Powell. Medicinal Mushrooms. [Internet]. Place of publication not specified: Mycology Press; [cited December 27, 2021]. Available at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11571096

Wisitrassameewong K, Karunarathna SC, Thongklang N, Zhao R, Callac P, Moukha S, et al. Agaricus subrufescens: A review. Saudi J Biol Sci. April 2012; 19(2):131–46.

Shimizu T, Kawai J, Ouchi K, Kikuchi H, Osima Y, Hidemi R. Agarol, an ergosterol derivative from Agaricus blazei, induces caspase-independent apoptosis in human cancer cells. Int J Oncol. April 2016; 48(4):1670–8.

Hseu Y-C, Ho Y-G, Mathew DC, Yen H-R, Chen X-Z, Yang H-L. The in vitro and in vivo depigmenting effects of coenzyme Q10 through the downregulation of α-MSH signaling pathways and the induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant genes in UVA-irradiated skin keratinocytes. Biochemical Pharmacology. June 2019;164:299–310.

Zhang M, Dang L, Guo F, Wang X, Zhao W, Zhao R. Coenzyme Q10 enhances the expression of skin elastin and inhibits IL-1α production and melanin synthesis in vitro. Int J Cosmet Sci. June 2012; 34(3):273–9.

Hetland G, Johnson E, Lyberg T, Kvalheim G. The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill exerts therapeutic effects on tumors, infections, allergies, and inflammation by modulating innate immunity and improving the Th1/Th2 imbalance and inflammation. Advances in Pharmacological Sciences. 2011;2011:1–10.

Dr. Walter Ardigò. Healing with Medicinal Mushrooms. A Practical Handbook. Youcanprint; 2017. 394 pp.

Hetland G, Tangen J-M, Mahmood F, Mirlashari MR, Nissen-Meyer LSH, Nentwich I, et al. Antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects of Agaricus blazei mushroom extract and the related medicinal basidiomycete mushrooms Hericium erinaceus and Grifola frondosa: A review of preclinical and clinical studies. Nutrients. May 8, 2020; 12(5):1339.

Huey-Chun H, Tzu-Fang H, Heng-Li C, Chin-Chu C, Shu-Wen C, Tsong-Min C. Inhibition of melanogenesis in murine melanoma cells by Agaricus brasiliensis methanol extract and anti-reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity. Afr J Microbiol Res. February 2014; 8(6):519–24.

Almond Blight – Comprehensive Prevention