Two capsules contain: Maitake whole fruiting body extract (standardized to 30% polysaccharides) 250 mg • Cordyceps whole fruiting body extract (standardized to 7% cordycepin acid) 250 mg • Shiitake whole fruiting body extract (standardized to 10% polysaccharides) 250 mg • Reishi whole plant extract (standardized to 10% polysaccharides) 250 mg • Beta -1,3-D Glucan 100 mg. Other ingredients: Kosher Gelatin (capsule), Rice Flour, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate.
Brand name products often contain multiple ingredients. To read detailed information about each ingredient, click on the link for the individual ingredient shown above.
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product MGC 5 Mushroom Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product MGC 5 Mushroom Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Beta-glucans derived from oat bran, baker's yeast, or brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) have Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term in medicinal amounts. There is some evidence that yeast-derived beta-glucans 15 grams daily can be used safely for up to 8 weeks (7272). Oat-derived beta-glucans 3-10 grams daily can also be used safely for up to 12 weeks (7272,5796,17129,34700,34727,34729,34765,34766,34811,34812)(34876,107935,109206). ...when used topically and appropriately. A specific beta-glucans serum and emulsion (Awake; Hangzhou Songyang Biotechnical) combination has been used with apparent safely for up to 12 weeks in clinical research (109210). A specific beta-glucans cream (Imunoglukan P4H, PLEURAN s.r.o.) has been used with apparent safety 2-3 times daily for up to 6 months (98201).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately as extracts. A maitake mushroom extract 3 mg/kg twice daily has been used safely for up to 12 weeks (92843). Doses up to 5 mg/kg twice daily of another maitake mushroom extract have been used safely for up to 3 weeks (61239). Maitake mushroom polysaccharides (MMP) 1-1.5 grams daily have also been used safely for up to 2 years (8188).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when an extract of reishi mushroom is used orally and appropriately for up to one year (12,5485,70767,70774,70786,70799,70800,70801,70802). ...when whole powdered reishi mushroom is used orally and appropriately for up to 16 weeks (70776,70799,70800,70801,91433,91435,91436,91437,108309).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using
LIKELY SAFE ...when consumed in typical food amounts (6).
POSSIBLY SAFE .... ..when the shiitake mushroom extract AHCC is used orally and appropriately. AHCC 4.5-6 grams daily has been used with apparent safety in clinical trials lasting up to 6 months (22926,30419). Population research identified no safety concerns with the use of AHCC 3 grams daily for up to 9 years (30353,94830).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when shiitake mushroom powder is used orally in medicinal amounts. Ingestion of shiitake mushroom powder 4 grams daily for 10 weeks can cause eosinophilia (1149). ...when uncooked shiitake mushroom is ingested. The lentinan component, which is broken down by heat, can cause toxic reactions, including shiitake dermatitis (94354).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid consuming greater than food amounts.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product MGC 5 Mushroom Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, taking beta-glucans with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
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Theoretically, beta-glucans might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
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Theoretically, cordyceps may increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
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Theoretically, concurrent use of cordyceps might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
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Animal and in vitro research suggests that cordyceps stimulates the immune system (3403,3404,3414,3431,3432). However, limited clinical research suggests that taking cordyceps may lower the necessary therapeutic dose of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine (92828), which suggests that cordyceps may have an immunosuppressive effect.
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Theoretically, concurrent use of cordyceps and testosterone might have additive effects.
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Animal research suggests that cordyceps can increase testosterone levels (46087). The clinical significance of this finding is unclear.
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Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
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Clinical research shows that taking maitake mushroom polysaccharide (MMP) can lower blood glucose levels in patients with types 2 diabetes (8188).
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Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
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There is limited evidence that maitake mushroom may increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
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In a case report, a patient previously stabilized on warfarin developed an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) of 5.1 after taking maitake mushroom (Grifron-Pro Maitake D-Fraction) 1 drop/kg daily in three divided doses for one week. The elevated INR resolved after holding warfarin for two days, then reducing the dose by 11%. It is thought that the beta-glucan constituent of maitake mushroom might cause warfarin dissociation from proteins, resulting in increased free warfarin levels and increased warfarin effects (17209).
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Theoretically, high doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding.
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Theoretically, reishi mushroom might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
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Theoretically, concurrent use of reishi mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
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Theoretically, shiitake mushroom might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
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Theoretically, taking shiitake mushroom might decrease the effects of immunosuppressive therapy.
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product MGC 5 Mushroom Complex. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally and topically, beta-glucans seem to be well-tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Topically: Contact dermatitis, skin reactions.
Dermatologic ...Topically, a specific beta-glucans cream r.o.) has been reported to cause skin reactions and contact dermatitis in one clinical trial. These reactions occurred in 27% of patients; reactions were mild and self-limiting in 12% of patients (98201).
Hematologic ...In one clinical trial of children and young adults with neuroblastoma, one of 44 patients developed transient elevations of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase within five days of starting oral beta-glucans 120 mg/kg daily (109203).
General
...Orally, cordyceps seems to be generally well tolerated when used for up to 1 year.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea.
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, cordyceps has been associated with diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, dry mouth, and throat discomfort in clinical research. However, these events were uncommon, and in some cases symptoms could be reduced by taking cordyceps after eating (92829,105076,109705).
Hematologic ...Two cases of lead poisoning, characterized by loss of appetite and other symptoms, have been reported for patients taking cordyceps powder. After discontinuing cordyceps supplementation, both patients were treated with chelating agents (46135).
Hepatic ...There is a case report of acute cholestatic hepatitis probably associated with the use of a product containing cordyceps. The 64-year-old male was asymptomatic except for jaundice and laboratory markers and recovered once the supplement was stopped. However, it is unclear whether the hepatitis is associated with the cordyceps or with an unknown contaminant (109704).
Renal ...One case of a mild increase in serum creatinine level (< 30%) has been reported (95905).
General
...Orally, maitake mushroom is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Gastrointestinal effects, including diarrhea and epigastric pain.
Dermatologic ...In a clinical trial, one patient experienced rash and pruritus after two doses of maitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The allergic reaction cleared without intervention (61239).
Gastrointestinal ...In clinical research of a polysaccharide extract from maitake mushroom, one patient reported nausea (61239) and 2 out of 26 reported epigastric pain (17131). In a clinical trial of a liquid extract from maitake mushroom, 2 out of 21 patients experienced diarrhea, and one experienced nausea. One patient withdrew from the study due to diarrhea (92843).
Immunologic ...In a clinical trial of a liquid extract from maitake mushroom, 4 out of 21 patients experienced eosinophilia (92843).
Musculoskeletal ...In a clinical trial of a polysaccharide extract from maitake mushroom, one patient reported joint swelling (61239).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...There is one case of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by maitake mushroom spores (61228).
General
...Orally, reishi mushroom is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Dizziness, dry mouth, itching, nausea, rash, and stomach upset.
Dermatologic ...Orally, reishi mushroom can cause itching, rash, and other skin reactions (12,5479).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, reishi mushroom can cause dryness of the mouth, throat, or nasal cavity, nausea, stomach upset, and, more rarely, diarrhea (12,70779,91438,108309).
Hematologic ...Orally, reishi mushroom can cause nosebleed and bloody stools (12,91438).
Hepatic ...One case of hepatotoxicity and one case of fatal fulminant hepatitis have been reported in patients who had used reishi mushroom powder for 1-2 months (70766). There is a case report of a 61-year-old male with hypereosinophilia associated with hepatic nodules following the use of reishi mushroom powder for about 2 months. Symptoms resolved after discontinuation of the product. Although these side effects were thought to be associated with the use of reishi mushroom powder, it is unclear if other factors played a role. The patient had been taking tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium for about 4 months following anterior resection for rectal adenocarcinoma but discontinued these agents and initiated reishi mushroom due to liver injury (108312).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, reishi mushroom can cause dizziness (91438). Other rare symptoms include insomnia and headache (70776,70779).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Respiratory allergy to reishi spores can occur (12,5479). Sore throat and runny nose have also been reported (70776,91438).
General
...Orally, shiitake mushroom is generally well tolerated when cooked and consumed as a food.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Consumption of raw shiitake mushroom can cause shiitake dermatitis, a skin eruption resembling whiplash marks which can be accompanied by systemic symptoms. Large pieces that have been inadequately chewed can cause intestinal blockage, occasionally requiring surgery.
Dermatologic
...Orally, shiitake mushrooms can cause shiitake dermatitis, a skin eruption that resembles whiplash marks, usually found on the trunk and limbs.
This dermatitis is thought to be a toxic response to lentinan or other compounds found normally in uncooked or inadequately cooked shiitake mushroom. The rash can be made worse by scratching. Symptom onset is usually within hours to days and can persist for 3-4 weeks before resolving on its own. There is some evidence that treatment with steroids alone or with antihistamines might reduce the duration of the rash by a small amount in some people (1148,1152,74782,74806,94236,94237,94238,94240,94241,94243) (94244,94246,94247,94248,94249,94252,94253,94254,94255,94256)(94257,94259,94261,94262,108302,111909,111912,111913). The dermatitis may include small purple spots from broken capillaries, skin plaques, burning, blanching, and pustules (94256,108302). Rarely the rash may look like measles rather than whiplash (94256). Histologically, there may be evidence of dermal and epidermal edema, lymphocyte infiltration, and skin thickening (94256,94257). Other symptoms associated with the dermatitis include fever, aching, malaise, eosinophilia, diarrhea, prickling in the hands, trouble swallowing, conjunctivitis, and pustules with small ulcers in the mouth (94240,94246,94247,94249,94256,94257,108302). It is likely that the dermatitis and other symptoms are due to a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (94244,94255). Cooking shiitake mushroom generally prevents shiitake dermatitis, although some cases have occurred in people who have consumed cooked sources (94242,94244). It appears that to inactivate lentinan, cooking temperatures of at least 130°C are needed (94243).
Less common is a photosensitivity reaction associated with oral ingestion, which involves rash and pruritus after sun exposure (1148,94241).
Orally, the shiitake mushroom extract AHCC has been reported to cause mild itching (30375).
Gastrointestinal
...Orally, shiitake mushrooms can cause abdominal discomfort, including bloating, nausea, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea (1149,30365,30375,30419,94241).
Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, problems swallowing, or mouth ulcers have been associated with shiitake dermatitis (94241,94256). Consumption of large pieces of shiitake mushroom with inadequate chewing can cause abdominal obstruction that has resulted in death in one case and surgical intervention in two others. In another case, parenteral nutrition was used exclusively until the shiitake mushroom pieces were passed (1147,94260,103160,108303,108304).
Topically, an oral rinse containing shiitake mushroom extract has been associated with teeth sensitivity, teeth staining, and burning in the mouth (94250).
Hematologic ...Ingestion of shiitake mushroom powder 4 grams daily for 10 weeks caused eosinophilia in 5 of 10 healthy humans (1149). Eosinophilia, and leukocytosis or leukopenia have been reported with shiitake dermatitis (94254,94256,94257).
Immunologic ...Allergic contact dermatitis can occur by contact with shiitake hyphae (filaments) (1153,74785,111913). It appears to be more common in growers or others that handle shiitake mushrooms extensively (94241,94259). Contact or inhalation also results in other symptoms of allergy, such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia (94241,94249,94258,94259).
Musculoskeletal ...Orally, the shiitake mushroom extract AHCC has been reported to cause foot cramps and difficulty moving hand joints (30365,30416).
Neurologic/CNS
...In patients experiencing shiitake dermatitis, other symptoms may include prickling in the hands (94256).
Malaise has also been reported following oral intake or contact (1151,94240).
Orally, the shiitake mushroom extract AHCC has been reported to cause mild and transient headache (30365).
Ocular/Otic ...Conjunctivitis has been reported rarely in mushroom growers and handlers, or following oral intake in patients with shiitake dermatitis (94241,94256,94259).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...In mushroom workers, hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to shiitake spore inhalation has occurred. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain, a dry cough, asthma, and rhinitis (1150,1151,74776,74813,94239,94241,94258,94259).
