For centuries traditional healers have been using the fungus Ganoderma lucidum. Diabetes researchers in the West have also begun researching the “miracle” properties of the fungus in an attempt to isolate its healing properties. Ganoderma lucidum, known in Chinese medicine as Reishi or Ling Zhi, is a hard fungus commonly used in China, Japan, and Korea. The first medicinal use of G. lucidum was recorded during the rule of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Ching Dynasty. The fungus is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant properties and has begun to appear in supplement form in the West.
Ganoderma Lucidum – Diabetes Research in Rats
There are many clinical studies to investigate the link between ganoderma lucidum and diabetes management. In a study done by Hui-na Zhang and Zhi-din Lin of the Department of Pharmacology, Peking University in 2002, the scientist looked into the hypoglycemic effect of G. lucidum. Their conclusion was that the administration of Ganoderma to normal mice created a hypoglycemic response by facilitating calcium flow to the pancreas. These results are supported by a Nigerian study conducted in 2007 and published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research looking into the effects of aqueous ganoderma lucidum extract on blood glucose in rats. The researchers found that the higher dose of 1,000 mg/Kg had significant hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats.
In a separate study done by the National Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering, Peking University, scientist studied the ability of ganoderma lucidum to aid in oral insulin treatment. Ganoderma lucidum was found to help resist the digestion and degradation of insulin in the stomach. The tests found that in 80% of the ganoderma lucidum diabetes rats blood glucose was reduced </= 64% (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17549387).
Ganoderma Lucidum – Diabetes Treatment
A human study of Ganoderma by a team of Chinese scientist worked with a group of 71 patients with type 2 diabetes, over the age of 18, not using insulin, who had been diagnosed a minimum of three months prior, and had a FPG of 8.9.16.7 mmol/L. A group receiving an extract and a control group were monitored for 12 weeks, finding A1C levels in the G. lucidum had lowered, concluding that G. lucidum is safe in the treatment of diabetes in humans. Currently G. lucidum is available as a supplement marketed as Reishi. The FDA does not regulate Reishi, however there are reported side effects and drug interactions that can make it dangerous for certain individuals. Always consult with your doctor and/or pharmacist before you begin using any supplement.
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