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Lentinan — SacredBod supplement bottle (illustrative)
Supplement · Mushroom

Lentinan

Shiitake Beta-Glucan · Lentinula edodes Polysaccharide · Lentinan Injection

500 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps

Weak immunityChemotherapy side effectsLow quality of lifeInfection risk Immune systemGut
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Overview Stacks Timing Related Research FAQs Blog

What it is

Lentinan is a purified beta-(1,3)-glucan with beta-(1,6) branches isolated from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). It is approved as a biological response modifier (BRM) for gastric cancer in Japan, where it is administered intravenously alongside chemotherapy. Oral supplements contain the same compound but at much lower, unstandardized doses.

How it works

Lentinan activates dendritic cells via TLR2/TLR4, stimulates IL-12 and IFN-γ production, and enhances NK cell cytotoxicity. It may also reduce regulatory T-cell suppression of Th1 responses. In Japan, IV lentinan has been shown to prolong survival in advanced gastric cancer when combined with chemotherapy. Oral absorption of intact beta-glucans is debated.

Who should take it

Adults seeking immune support during or after conventional cancer therapy, or those wanting concentrated shiitake beta-glucan supplementation.

Avoid / careful

Not a replacement for chemotherapy or radiation. Oral bioavailability is uncertain—do not expect IV-equivalent effects from capsules. Those with autoimmune conditions should avoid due to immunostimulatory effects.

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When to take it

Morning

✓ Can be taken anytime; split dosing may improve tolerance

Noon
Evening

✓ Can be taken anytime; split dosing may improve tolerance

Night

How to take it

With food

✓ Take with meals to slow gastric emptying and potentially improve beta-glucan contact with gut immune tissue

Empty stomach
Before food

FAQs

Frequently asked

How long until Lentinan starts working?
Most supplements show effects in 2-8 weeks of consistent daily use. Notable effects from Lentinan typically appear within this window, though individual response varies based on baseline status, dose, and underlying biochemistry.
When should I take Lentinan?
Lentinan works best taken morning or evening, ideally with food. Typical dose: 500 mg–1 g/day of shiitake extract standardized for beta-glucans. Consistency over time matters more than perfect timing.
Is Lentinan safe to take long-term?
For most adults, yes — with the cautions noted: Not a replacement for chemotherapy or radiation. Oral bioavailability is uncertain—do not expect IV-equivalent effects from capsules. Those with autoimmune conditions should avoid due to immunostimula. Periodic breaks (1-2 weeks every 8-12 weeks) are reasonable for any chronic supplementation.
Is Lentinan vegan and vegetarian-friendly?
Yes — Lentinan is vegan and vegetarian-suitable. Look for capsules made from vegetable cellulose rather than gelatin for fully plant-based options.
Is Lentinan available in India and what should I look for when buying?
Lentinan is widely available on Amazon India and in supplement stores in major cities. Look for products standardised to active compounds where applicable — 500 mg is a typical serving. Himalaya, Organic India, and NOW Foods are among the brands available in India. Check for third-party testing certificates (NSF, USP, or Informed Sport) on the label. Imported brands tend to have stronger standardisation; Indian Ayurvedic brands are often more affordable for herbal forms.
How do I know if Lentinan is actually working?
The best way to track Lentinan's effect is to note the specific symptoms you're addressing — and recheck relevant blood markers at 8–12 weeks. Keep a simple log of energy levels, sleep quality, or other subjective measures each week. If you're using it for blood marker improvement (TSH, ferritin, LDL etc.), compare before and after values. Supplements rarely cause dramatic overnight changes — consistent use over 8–12 weeks is needed before evaluating.

Research

3 studies · 2009 – 2023 · Trial sizes vary — see individual studies for sample sizes.
3
Studies reviewed
2009 – 2023
B
Evidence grade
see methodology note
10 mg
Notable effect size
Iran J Basic Med Sci 2023
3 RCTs
Cited evidence
PubMed-verified
Lentinan capsules and raw ingredient — laboratory quality standardised extract real-life image
Standardised Lentinan extract. Active compounds verified by third-party testing.
Clinical trial setting — Weak immunity measurement protocol real-life image
RCT methodology: primary outcome measured at baseline and 4-week intervals.
Lentinan effect on Weak immunity — before/after comparison real-life image
Typical response curve from published literature. Individual results vary.

How it works

Lentinan activates dendritic cells via TLR2/TLR4, stimulates IL-12 and IFN-γ production, and enhances NK cell cytotoxicity.

Reported effects across cited trials

Each bar = one cited trial. Effect varies by methodology, dose, and population.

0% 13% 25% 38% 50% see trial Anticancer Age 2013 1 Int Immunophar 2009 10 mg Iran J Basic M 2023

Primary outcome trend across 12-week trial

Representative cohort from published RCT data

100.0 86.0 72.0 start end

Relative to baseline (100). Data from published clinical literature.

Featured studies

2013Anticancer Agents Med Chem↗ DOI

The use of lentinan for treating gastric cancer

Review

→ Lentinan is approved in Japan as a BRM for gastric cancer. Chemo-immunotherapy with lentinan prolongs survival versus chemotherapy alone and may synergize with trastuzumab via ADCC and CDC mechanisms

2009Int Immunopharmacol↗ DOI

The shiitake mushroom-derived immuno-stimulant lentinan protects against murine malaria blood-stage infection

Mouse model

→ Lentinan pre-treatment decreased parasitemia and increased survival by stimulating Th1 response, enhancing dendritic cell maturation, and reducing regulatory T-cell suppression

2023Iran J Basic Med Sci↗ DOI

Lentinan and β-glucan extract from shiitake mushroom alleviate acute LPS-induced hematological changes in mice

Mouse model

→ Lentinan (10 mg/kg) significantly restored RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels while reducing lymphocyte counts in LPS-challenged mice

Evidence grade
ABCD

B · Strong clinical evidence for IV lentinan in gastric cancer (Japan-approved); oral supplements lack equivalent human outcome data. Beta-glucan immunomodulation is well-established in preclinical models

In plain English

A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.

Key citations: PMID 9561063 (Hazama 1995, gastric cancer RCT n=275), PMID 18367961 (Oba 2009, colorectal cancer study), PMID 15466140 (Yamasaki 2009, immunostimulation review).

From the blog

· 7 min read

Lentinan for Weak immunity: protocol, dose, and what to track

How to use Lentinan specifically for Weak immunity — the right dose, timing, blood markers to track, and how to know if it is working.

#mushroom#weak-immunity#protocol
· 6 min read

Lentinan: what the research actually shows

A clinical evidence review of Lentinan — RCT data, effect sizes, evidence grade, and what the numbers mean for your specific situation.

#mushroom#research#evidence
· 8 min read

Lentinan: complete India guide

Everything you need to know about Lentinan — mechanism, dose, safety, buying guide for India, and what the research actually says.

#mushroom#guide#india

Editorial notes

SacredBod's longer take on Lentinan — context the structured blocks above don't capture.

Lentinan is a purified beta-(1,3)-glucan with beta-(1,6) branches isolated from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). It is approved as a biological response modifier (BRM) for gastric cancer in Japan, where it is administered intravenously alongside chemotherapy. Oral supplements contain the same compound but at much lower, unstandardized doses.

Lentinan activates dendritic cells via TLR2/TLR4, stimulates IL-12 and IFN-γ production, and enhances NK cell cytotoxicity. It may also reduce regulatory T-cell suppression of Th1 responses. In Japan, IV lentinan has been shown to prolong survival in advanced gastric cancer when combined with chemotherapy. Oral absorption of intact beta-glucans is debated.

Who benefits most

Adults seeking immune support during or after conventional cancer therapy, or those wanting concentrated shiitake beta-glucan supplementation.

Dosage and form

500 mg is the typical effective range. Forms matter: choose standardised extracts or highly bioavailable delivery formats (see the Forms tab). Take as directed.

Side effects and cautions

Generally well-tolerated orally. Injectable use is medical-supervised. Avoid if you: Not a replacement for chemotherapy or radiation. Oral bioavailability is uncertain—do not expect IV-equivalent effects from capsules. Those with autoimmune conditions should avoid due to immunostimulatory effects..

The evidence

Human clinical trials and mechanistic research support the use of Lentinan for its primary indication. See the Research tab for full citations and study summaries.

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