Mushrooms ‘could be used to treat diabetes'
Eating mushrooms could help people manage Type 2 diabetes, a study has suggested.
Researchers at Semmelweis University in Budapest found that edible fungi were rich in chemicals that helped improve sensitivity to insulin, a key problem for diabetics.
'Our study reveals the remarkable potential of natural compounds in mushrooms to address key metabolic pathways,' said Dr Zsuzsanna Németh.
Type 2 diabetes affects around 5.8 million people in the UK and is commonly caused by being overweight and eating an unhealthy diet.
The condition can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss and amputations.
A healthy body produces the hormone insulin in the pancreas in response to eating, using it to turn the sugars in food into energy.
However, in some people, cells develop resistance to the hormone and stop responding correctly.
This is called insulin resistance and leads to elevated levels of sugar in the bloodstream, because it has not been converted.
Dr Németh said: 'As interest grows in non-pharmacological approaches to disease prevention, this opens up exciting possibilities for using edible medicinal mushrooms as complementary agents in diabetes management.'
Previous studies have shown fungi to contain medically important components such as polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenols, and heterocyclic amines.
Mushroom extracts 'have anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-tumour effects', the Semmelweis team wrote in their study.
They found that polysaccharides – different types of sugar – in the white button mushroom can boost good gut bacteria in the human body.
Sugars in the lion's mane mushroom are an antioxidant, while the shiitake mushroom has chemicals linked to reducing blood glucose levels and anti-inflammatory effects.
The researchers wrote: 'Edible mushrooms, including medical mushrooms, are an important part of nutrition. They are a good source of fibre, vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements, but the most investigated are the water-soluble composites: polysaccharides.
'Polysaccharides have complex effects on the human body. They favourably modulate the intestinal microbiota, glucose, and lipid homeostasis, as well as the immune system, the combined effect of which can reduce insulin resistance.
'These effects make mushrooms, especially medicinal mushrooms, a potential part of complementary therapy for obesity and related diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I used to bring donuts to work - I lost 4 stone after ditching them for tea'
NHS says almost a million people have started its app-based coaching scheme with free Fitbit-style activity monitors which cuts risk of Type 2 diabetes by a third The NHS is calling on around six million overweight people to consider a scheme to help prevent Type 2 diabetes. Almost a million at-risk people have now joined its app-based coaching scheme which comes with free Fitbit-style activity monitors and has been shown to cut diabetes risk by over a third. One of them is 59-year-old Graham Lowe who joined the nine-month 'Healthier You Programme' and lost four stone after ditching donuts for green tea. NHS England says a record 166,360 people signed up last year to get personalised support, either face to face or digitally on changing ingrained eating habits and finding ways to get physically active. Graham, of Four Oaks, near Birmingham, signed up after paramedics were called when he had pains down his right side just over a year ago. While Graham was found not to have had a stroke, tests did show he was 'prediabetic' with blood sugar levels on the cusp of developing Type 2. Graham said: 'My father has Type 2 diabetes so I've seen how challenging it can make life, and I didn't want to follow in those footsteps. After learning about being pre-diabetic from a blood test that my GP did for me, I took immediate action to prevent my condition from becoming full-blown diabetes. 'I started by joining the NHS Healthier You Programme that my GP had referred me to, attending the sessions and following the advice that made important changes to my diet and level of activity. Since joining, I've given up sweets and exercise regularly. Before I used to bring donuts to work, but now I drink green tea.' The new analysis also shows that more than 900,000 adults at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes have started the programme since it was launched in 2016. Some 6.3 million Brits are estimated to be living with prediabetes - also known as non-diabetic hyperglycemia - with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Combined with the 4.6 million people with diagnosed diabetes and the 1.3 million with undiagnosed diabetes, over 12 million people in the UK have either diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, limb amputation, heart attack, nerve damage, stroke and many of the commonest types of cancer. Symptoms include feeling very tired, thirst, and urinating more than usual. Some 45% of those taking part in the programme are men – a much higher proportion than had traditionally agreed to attend NHS weight loss courses, thought to be due to the fact you can do it remotely. After completing the programme Graham's blood sugar level reduced from almost being at the diabetic range (48mmol/mol) and his blood pressure and cholesterol also significantly lowered. Graham, a father-of-three, said: 'I recommend that people – especially men since we may not go to the GP for a check up as often – visit your GP and get tested for diabetes if you're experiencing any of the symptoms like I did, like fatigue and increased thirst. Treat your body like your car and get an MOT regularly. You wouldn't skip on maintaining your car, so why do that with your health?' Research by Manchester University has found that completing the Healthier You Programme reduces someone's chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by 37%, and participants typically achieve an average weight loss of 3.3kg. What is the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme? People can self-register onto the NHS Healthier You Programme if they have been identified as being at 'high risk' of developing Type 2 diabetes from their blood sugars - or request a direct referral from their GP. Doctors will consider blood sugar levels as well as patients' lifestyle and genetic risk. The HbA1c - or glycated hemoglobin test - measures blood sugar levels during the previous few months and the thresholds are as follows: Normal - Below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%). Prediabetes - 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%). Diabetes - 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or higher Also known as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, it is available both as a face-to-face group service and as a digital service, via an app. When referred people can choose between the two. The programme offers wearable technologies that monitor levels of exercise and apps where users can access health coaches. As well as access to personalised support, such as access to health coaches, online 'peer support groups' are also an option to help set and monitor weight loss goals. Academic research has shown the programme cuts the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes and has prevented thousands of people from getting the condition. Click HERE for a list of providers near you. Dr Clare Hambling, NHS England Director for Diabetes, said: 'Type 2 Diabetes and obesity are both major public health challenges for this country, so it is great to see that this world-leading NHS initiative is preventing Type 2 diabetes and empowering hundreds of thousands of people across England to lead healthier lives. 'Having the opportunity to prevent this life-altering condition via the NHS is remarkable but it is also important that people are aware of their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The 'Know you risk' online tool is a quick and easy way of calculating your chance of getting Type 2 diabetes or you can always speak with your GP.' Click HERE to try the 'Know Your Risk' tool hosted by Diabetes UK. Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes. Around nine out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2, and there are around two million people in England at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is a complex health condition with multiple risk factors that include age, family history and ethnicity. However, living with obesity is the single greatest risk factor and accounts for 80-85% of someone's risk of developing the condition. Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: 'We know that prevention is better than treatment, and that tackling the root causes of type 2 diabetes, such as obesity and inactivity, is one of the keys to tackling cardiovascular-related illness. 'It is great to see so many people engaging in this successful programme, which is making a real difference in reducing an individual's type 2 diabetes risk through small everyday lifestyle changes. 'We know there is more to do, which is why we are continuing to restrict junk food advertising, limiting school children's access to fast food, and ensuring that industry is incentivised to cut sugar in soft drinks.' Examples of the Advice Given on the Programme Dietary Advice Balanced Calorie Intake: A healthy weight management approach involves eating a balanced diet with a focus on portion control and reducing overall calorie intake. Increase Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Aim for at least 5 portions of a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose Whole Grains: Prioritize wholegrain bread, rice, and pasta over refined versions. Include Protein in Meals: Ensure meals include protein sources like beans, pulses, fish, eggs, or meat. Healthy Fats: Choose unsaturated fats from olive oil, sunflower oil, and oily fish. Limit Added Sugars, Salt, and Saturated Fats: Reduce consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated fat. Lifestyle Modifications Physical Activity: Engage in regular physical activity for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Stress Management: Practice stress reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, as sleep deprivation can contribute to weight gain. Support System: Involve friends, family, or support groups to help you stay motivated and on track.
ITV News
7 days ago
- ITV News
'I'm a better parent': Gloucester MP sheds seven stone on liquid diet after diabetes diagnosis
Gloucester's MP says he's now "a better parent" after a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes led him to lose seven stone in four months as part of an NHS diet involving liquid shakes. Alex McIntyre is in his thirties and was elected as a Labour MP in the 2024 general election. That Christmas, his GP told him he has the condition. "That hit me really hard," he explains. "I'm in my 30s, it's quite uncommon, although increasingly more and more young people are getting diagnosed." What scared him most was the fact several studies now show that people diagnosed with Type 2 in their 30s can see their life expectancy reduced by around 14 years. "It's the difference between seeing my little man get married one day or not, and that massively motivated me to lose weight," he says. Since the diagnosis, the MP has joined the NHS 'Path to Remission' programme, which has restricted to him to an 800-calorie diet of liquid shakes for 12 weeks. He admits it "isn't for the faint-hearted", but insists the programme is guided by his GP and sees his weight loss closely monitored. "I've struggled with my weight for most of my adult life," he tells ITV. "And it's something that anyone who has struggled with their weight will be able to recognise. The yo-yo dieting, trying lots of different diets, whether it's Joe Wicks or Slimming World or Weight Watchers - I've tried most of them. "You lose a few pounds, maybe you lose a couple of stone, and things get in the way. Life gets in the way. Life's really tough for lots of people. You're busy, you're working hard, something happens with your family." The death of his Nan just before he started the programme was something that could have knocked him back, he says, but the "big change" in his life was the birth of his son. "It's really hit home to me that life expectancy piece. I want to be around to see my little boy grow up, perhaps have grand kids one day. That has really motivated me in a way no other life moments have." Alex now sits on the Health and Social Care parliamentary committee and wants to use his experience to help shape government policy around obesity and diabetes. Diabetes costs the NHS around £10 billion every a year, with sufferers at risk of some serious and costly health complications in the long-term. Alex admits he was at risk of costing the NHS a lot of money, and as a politician, wanted to do something about it. Findings published in the Lancet show one third of participants with Type 2 diabetes, who have completed the NHS programme he's on, enter remission. It's something Alex hopes he'll do too, as he's about to move onto the second part of the programme, gradually reintroduce solid food, and new daily habits. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes "There are so many more young people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and there is such a stigma attached to it, and to obesity and being overweight more generally," he adds. "People need to know there are people out there like them going through this too and there is help available, you don't need to be ashamed to ask for help, and there is to support here to help you on that journey." Alex has been overwhelmed by the response he's had from speaking publicly. Not only have constituents got in touch, but the odd political rival and parliamentary colleague has too. "I don't come from a political background. I went to a state school. I didn't go to Eton, or Oxford or Cambridge," he says. "That's not to say I haven't had a lucky or privileged life, and I recognise that. But the challenges people in my constituency are facing - whether that's getting childcare or finding a good school for their kids, getting a GP appointment, finding a dentist - these are things me and my family are going through every day. "That's part of the reason I stood to be an MP. I think we need more normal people in politics and it's important to use opportunities like this to share with people." Mr McIntyre hopes this will prove to be a good example of shifting the NHS model more from treatment to prevention. He admits he's "evangelical" about the programme because it has so far worked for him, but accepts it won't work for everyone. He's not against weight loss jabs, either, but notes they are considerably more expensive than shakes and soups. He says the money saved from rolling out the scheme could help more people into remission, with the money saved able to be to spent "on other frontline services" and helping people "live happier, healthier lives". "For me it's about being the best version of me I can possibly be. "And that's not to say I wasn't a good Dad when I was overweight, but I just feel I can do more now.
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Weight loss injections may have an anti-cancer effect ‘beyond weight loss'
A team based at the University of Manchester, funded by Cancer Research UK, are designing a clinical trial involving tens of thousands of patients, which they hope to get underway within 'three to five years' Weight loss jabs could cut cancer risk by almost half and be given to people who are not obese, scientists say. Landmark research appears to confirm the appetite-suppressing jabs which mimic a hormone that makes us feel full can also reduce risk from over a dozen obesity-related cancers. Experts suspect they are having an anti- cancer effect on top of the weight loss by also reducing inflammation in the body. Half of us will get cancer in our lifetimes and researchers presenting the findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, say the jabs should now be considered to prevent this for people at risk. The weekly injections are currently prescribed for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes curb hunger pangs by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1 hormone which regulates feelings of fullness. Study author Dr Yael Wolff Sagy, of Clalit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel, said: "This is potentially very exciting news for patients who are at high risk of obesity-related cancer, and possibly even other cancers. This indicates there is an additional mechanism with the jabs beyond simple weight loss. We believe this effect may come from the inflammation-reducing quality of GLP-1s. But of course, this type of study cannot say for sure that that's the mechanism. "I believe there could be a future where people who are not obese, but have other risk factors for cancer, could be prescribed GLP-1s to help prevent it.' A team based at the University of Manchester, funded by Cancer Research UK, are designing a clinical trial involving tens of thousands of patients, which they hope to get underway within 'three to five years'. Unveiling the trial at Europe's major obesity conference, a team of international experts issued a statement calling for weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro to be trialled for cancer prevention. The consensus statement was backed by 54 specialists from 12 countries, including 25 from the UK. Lead author Dr Matthew Harris, of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, said: 'Rates of obesity have been rising quite substantially across the world for the past 30 years. We haven't seen any country, particularly in the West, able to curb that going to be this massive increase in obesity related cancers. If we're able to reverse obesity and prevent those cancers from happening, it could be a really significant public health intervention. 'Prevention is really important in cancer, especially now we have a weapon to potentially reduce one of the major risk factors, in new drugs do provide genuinely fantastic weight loss, and may provide an intervention that could be delivered on a population-scale, where we have not been able to achieve this before.' The Israeli researchers analysed electronic health record data on 6,356 adults treated for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Half received bariatric surgery such as gastric band surgery, and half received first generation weight loss jabs liraglutide, exenatide, or dulaglutide. Over a typical follow-up of 7.5 years, 298 patients were diagnosed with obesity-related cancer, and a similar rate in each group. Once the additional weight loss from surgery was factored in the study found jabs were 41% better at preventing weight-related cancers. A previous systematic review found the surgery cut the chances of patients developing cancer by 38%. Combining the data it suggests that GLP-1s alone could cut cancer risk by almost half. Professor Mark Lawler, an international cancer researcher expert from Queen's University Belfast, who was not involved in the research, said: "These results are very exciting - we already know that bariatric surgery cuts obesity-related cancer risk by about a third; these data suggest that target GLP-1s may cut that risk by nearly 50% - an approach that would be transformational in preventing obesity-related cancer. 'Biologically, this makes sense, as targeting GLP-1 dampens down inflammation, one of the hallmarks of cancer. While further work is required on how it works, these data raise the intriguing possibility that a GLP-1 agonist jab could prevent multiple cancers in the general population. This work could herald a whole new era of preventative cancer medicine " Study co-author Professor Dror Dicker cautioned that it was difficult to quantify the exact effect of GLP-1s on cancer prevention but they appeared to have a more powerful mechanism than bariatric surgery - which trials have shown cuts the risk of obesity-related cancers by between 30% and 42%. Jason Halford, former president of the European Association for the Study of Obesity said the breakthrough could herald a 'new dawn' in cancer prevention. He said: 'I suspect oncologists will be interested in prescribing anti-obesity drugs. This has the potential to reduce the burden on oncology services in the NHS.' Dr Yael Wolff Sagy added: "We do not yet fully understand how GLP-1s work, but this study adds to the growing evidence showing that weight loss alone cannot completely account for the metabolic, anti-cancer, and many other benefits that these medications provide. 'When we compared the risk reduction in patients who had a surgery versus those who used weight-loss medication, we saw it remained the same - even though the surgery patients lost a lot more weight. When we took into account the differences in weight reduction, we found the jabs were 41% more effective at preventing cancer." She added: "These drugs could be useful for a wide range of conditions. We would like to study other inflammation-related conditions, such as blood clots, to see if this effect is reproduced. The issue is that demand for these drugs is already through the roof. "[Pharmaceutical companies] will need to figure out a way of making them cheaper, because right now the new generation medications are quite expensive, and in terms of public health health systems, I'm not sure they are considered cost-effective, despite all their amazing advantages."
