| Reader, For years, I've been advising my patients that certain mushrooms have powerful anti-carcinogenic properties.
The rich polysaccharides in cordyceps mushrooms, for example, have been shown to shrink lung-cancer patients' tumors. And studies show that reishi mushrooms protect against many kinds of cancers, including invasive prostate, melanoma, and aggressive breast cancer.1,2
Fascinating new research suggests it may be possible to cut your cancer risk nearly in half by eating mushrooms.
Today, I'll show you why.
I'll also give you an easy and affordable way to score all the cancer-preventing benefits of mushrooms.
Pennsylvania State University researchers analyzed 17 studies of mushroom consumption on cancer risk, involving 19,500 patients.
They determined that subjects in the highest-consumption category — 18 grams of mushrooms daily — had a 45% lower risk of developing cancer.3
Eighteen grams is about two-thirds of an ounce. But the current per capita mushroom consumption in the U.S. is just a fraction of that.
So why would the humble mushroom exhibit such powerful anti-cancer effects?
Mushrooms are packed with nutrients. Each species has a different blend of compounds.
But the Pennsylvania State University study involved a wide variety of mushrooms. And researchers felt the anti-cancer effect must be linked to something common in mushrooms generally.
Their conclusion: It must be L-ergothioneine.
L-ergothioneine is a unique sulfur-containing amino acid that defends your cells against free radical, reactive oxygen species. It also protects you from reactive nitrogen species.
By shielding your cells from damage, researchers believe L-ergothioneine protects your DNA and wards off cancer. But your body can't produce L-ergothioneine. You have to get it from food.
And the highest dietary source of this extraordinary cellular defender?
Mushrooms.
While some varieties of mushroom have higher concentrations of L-ergothioneine, adding any edible type of mushroom to your diet will reduce your cancer risk.
You can find L-ergothioneine supplements and dried mushroom powders online or at your local health food store. But I always prefer the natural sources… and suggest you look there first.
In the world of mushrooms, shiitake, maitake, oyster and king oyster mushrooms have the most L-ergothioneine content.
I buy organic mushrooms, chop them up, and use them as a garnish on my grass-fed steak. They're also great in soups, stews, and salads.
But here's an idea… Why not try mushroom coffee?
It's flavorful and has less caffeine than regular coffee.
Mixing mushrooms and coffee actually dates back to WWII when northern European countries experienced serious coffee bean shortages. They began grinding mushrooms and mixing them into their coffee to make supplies last.
The health effects they experienced — reduced anxiety, enhanced immunity, and better health — were an unexpected bonus. Brew a cup of cancer-fighting mushroom coffee While you can buy mushroom coffee in pre-blended packets or blends, I prefer to make my own. It's actually pretty easy.  Dried mushrooms will last up to a year if you seal them in a glass jar and store in a cool, dark place | - First, choose which variety you want to use. I prefer reishi, cordyceps, chaga, or turkey tail for their overall health benefits. Each one lends a different flavor to your coffee or tea.
- Next, you'll need to dehydrate the mushrooms. Place them in your oven on baking sheets in a single layer and expose them to 150-degree heat.
- After about an hour, flip them over, then continue for another hour. At this point, they should be completely dry almost to the point of brittleness.
- To turn them into a powder, pulverize them in a food processor or a blender.
- Then brew your coffee the way you like it and add half a teaspoon or so of mushroom powder to your cup. Depending on your palate and which variety of mushroom you're trying, you can add more or less to suit your taste.
Experiment until you find the one you savor most. To Your Good Health, 
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References: - Jiang J, et al. "Ganoderma lucidum inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells PC-3." Int J Oncol. 2004 May;24(5):1093-9.
- Barbieri A, et al. "Anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of ganoderma lucidum extract effects on melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer treatment. Nutrients. 2017 Feb 28;9(3):210.
- Higher mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer. ScienceDaily. Published April 21,2021.
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