Shiitake

The shiitake mushroom is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, and being dried and exported to many countries. It has two Chinese variant names for high grades of shiitake are dōnggū (冬菇, "winter mushroom") and huāgū (花菇,  "flower mushroom"). Shitake mushroom is used as a remedy for upper respiratory diseases, poor blood circulation, liver trouble, exhaustion and weakness, and to boost qi, or life energy, as well as prevention of premature aging.

Shiitake mushroom has two important extracts - active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) and lentinan. AHCC, an α- glucan-rich compound, is popularly used as supplement by cancer patients in Japan. [3] Clinical study has shown  AHCC may benefit patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. [4,5] AHCC has also been shown to enhance immune  function. [6,7] Lentinan also shows anti-cancer activities, it may benefit people suffered from various types of cancers.  According to Wikipedia.com, lentinan is currently used in Australia as part of a pharmacological blend to suppress cancer cell proliferation and to promote proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes. [2]


http://zhion.com/herb/Mushroom/Shiitake-benefits.html



--------------------------

Shiitake Side Effects
WebMD [October 18, 2011]: Shiitake mushroom is safe when consumed in food amounts, Shiitake mushroom can cause stomach discomfort, blood abnormalities, and skin inflammation. Shiitake mushroom might also cause an sun sensitivity, allergic skin reactions, and breathing problems. 

A diet supplemented with 5% Shiitake mushrooms resulted in a twofold increase in plasma IL-6 levels in DBA arthritic mice. An elevation in plasma IL-6 has also been implicated in the pathogenesis fatty liver disease. In a six week-study, all mice fed with a Shiitake mushroom diet developed fatty liver. [1] 

[1] Differential effects of shiitake- and white button mushroom-supplemented diets on hepatic steatosis in C57BL/6 mice. Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Sep 10.