Rankings / Immune & Inflammation
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Immune & Inflammation · Medicinal mushroom / beta-glucan
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) as B- (6.0/10) based on moderate evidence, low-moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Lentinan has actual Phase III oncology data (Japanese gastric cancer adjuvant) — one of the few mushroom molecules with that level of evidence.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 1-3 g/day dried mushroom or standardized extract; cooking destroys the dermatitis trigger — OTC (food/supplement); Rx; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Lentinan has actual Phase III oncology data (Japanese gastric cancer adjuvant) — one of the few mushroom molecules with that level of evidence. Oral shiitake supplement claims are much weaker. Raw shiitake can cause flagellate dermatitis; cooking degrades the implicated lentinan exposure.
Mechanism
Lentinan (purified 1,3-beta-glucan with 1,6-branching); Dectin-1/CR3 activation; Th1 polarization; eritadenine in shiitake also modestly inhibits S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, lowering cholesterol in animal studies
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
1-3 g/day dried mushroom or standardized extract; cooking destroys the dermatitis trigger
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as low-moderate, producing an overall grade of B- (6.0/10). Lentinan has actual Phase III oncology data (Japanese gastric cancer adjuvant) — one of the few mushroom molecules with that level of evidence.
- What safety findings are reported for Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)?
- Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) has a low-med risk profile in the database. Low-Med (shiitake dermatitis from raw or undercooked mushroom — flagellate erythema; well-described; allergic pneumonitis in workers) Legal status: OTC (food/supplement); Rx (IV lentinan in Japan).
- What doses or routes are reported for Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)?
- 1-3 g/day dried mushroom or standardized extract; cooking destroys the dermatitis trigger This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) work?
- Lentinan (purified 1,3-beta-glucan with 1,6-branching); Dectin-1/CR3 activation; Th1 polarization; eritadenine in shiitake also modestly inhibits S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, lowering cholesterol in animal studies
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.