Turkey Tail Research

Supports Immune Function*

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most studied functional mushrooms, and most of that research focuses on immune function. It contains protein-bound polysaccharides and beta-glucans that researchers have studied for their effects on immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and T-cells.

Research Support:

A 2019 laboratory study found that Turkey Tail mycelium and its fermented substrate activated immune cells, including NK cells, in vitro.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6889544/

Supports Gut Health*

Turkey Tail’s polysaccharides act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Because so much of the immune system sits in the gut, researchers are interested in how that prebiotic activity relates to immune health.

Research Support:

A randomized clinical trial found that a Turkey Tail polysaccharide extract produced favorable shifts in gut bacteria over eight weeks in healthy volunteers.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.4161/gmic.29558

A 2013 laboratory study found that Turkey Tail extract increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in human fecal samples.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11130-013-0342-4

Rich in Antioxidants

Turkey Tail contains a wide range of antioxidant compounds, including phenols, flavonoids and terpenoids. Researchers have identified more than 35 phenolic compounds in Turkey Tail extract, including quercetin and baicalein, two well-studied antioxidants also found in plants.

Research Support:

An analysis of Turkey Tail’s bioactive compounds identified a wide range of phenolic acids with significant antioxidant potential.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32865897/

A review describes the phenols, polysaccharides and terpenoids in Turkey Tail and their antioxidant activity.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-024-05936-9

Further Reading

Check out our MAMORU (Turkey Tail, Maitake and Shiitake) Tincture Here: https://yamabushifarms.com/products/mamoru

Learn more about Shiitake Health Benefits: https://yamabushifarms.com/blogs/news/shiitake-health-benefits

Learn more about Maitake Health Benefits: https://yamabushifarms.com/blogs/news/maitake-health-benefits

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.