A new clinical trial published in BMC Immunology by the University of California San Diego (UCSD) evaluated a combination of Fomitopsis officinalis (agarikon) and Trametes versicolor (turkey tail) mushroom mycelium (FoTv).

The study reported that FoTv was well-tolerated and associated with measured immune-related biomarkers in the study population, suggesting the blend supports key select immune biomarkers in healthy individuals.*

Fungi Perfecti (Olympia, WA), makers of the Host Defense Mushrooms supplement line, supplied the study capsules of FoTv mycelium grown on organic brown rice, and the uncolonized brown rice used as a placebo. Fungi Perfecti researchers Zoltan Bair, PhD and Chase Beathard, PhD, MBA also contributed to the study.

Titled, “Polypore Mushroom Mycelia as an Adjunct to COVID-19 Vaccination: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” the study enrolled 90 participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which assessed the safety, tolerability and immune-related outcomes of FoTv when used alongside routine vaccination.

The authors reported this to be the “first placebo-controlled human clinical trial evaluating a fungal-derived natural product in this research context.”

Among participants without prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure, exploratory analyses identified differences in antibody-related measurements between FoTv and the placebo group. Additional endpoints evaluated markers related to immune activity and participant-reported tolerability.*

“In my opinion, this study represents one of the most significant—if not the most significant clinical investigations to date examining mushroom mycelium in human research,” said Paul Stamets, mycologist and founder of Fungi Perfecti. “It contributes to a growing body of peer-reviewed literature evaluating mushroom mycelium in relation to immune-associated biological markers. Notably, the study materials and results are based on mycelium rather than fruiting bodies.”*

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

For more information, visit www.fungi.com or www.hostdefense.com.