Discover the power of mushrooms for soothing arthritis

What is arthritis?

To understand how and why you can use mushrooms for arthritis, we first need some background on the condition. Although we often think and speak of it as one disease, there are actually over 100 types of arthritis. What they all have in common is that they cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints. While the condition is more typical in older adults, it can develop in people of any age.

The most widespread form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is where the protective cartilage in your joints breaks down. This causes your bones to rub against each other when you move those joints, resulting in pain and stiffness. Several factors increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, including joint injury, obesity, age, and a family history of the condition. In addition to pain and swelling, it can reduce your range of motion and cause instability in your joints. You may also notice a clicking or popping sound, and/or a scraping or grating feeling, when moving the affected joint.

Another form of the condition that might make you want to try mushrooms for arthritis relief is rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disease, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues lining your joints. It tends to develop more rapidly than osteoarthritis and affect the same joints on both sides of your body. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause symptoms in areas other than joints, like fever, muscle ache, and fatigue.

There is currently no cure for either of these conditions. However, that doesn't mean there’s nothing you can do to ease their symptoms. And one potential way to do so is to use medicinal mushrooms for arthritis.

An introduction to medicinal mushrooms

For those new to functional fungi, it’s probably helpful to have an overview before jumping into using mushrooms for arthritis. We’ve talked at some length about medicinal mushrooms in other articles, so won’t go into too much detail here. In a nutshell, they’re types of fungi that can support our health and wellness in a variety of ways. This is thanks to certain potent bioactive compounds they contain.

In addition to using mushrooms for arthritis, you could take functional fungi to boost gut health, immunity, and cardiovascular health. They also function as adaptogens, helping to decrease the negative effects of stress on our mind and body. Each species of mushroom has its own individual advantages. For example, cordyceps is great for boosting endurance, while reishi can promote sleep and relaxation. However, in this article, we’re focusing on the benefits of medicinal mushrooms for arthritis relief. 

Why is mushroom good for arthritis?

There are several potential benefits of medicinal mushrooms for arthritis. This is both in terms of reducing the risk of developing the condition and easing the symptoms of it. First, many functional fungi are rich in antioxidants. These help to protect our cells against oxidative stress, which experts have linked to the development of osteoarthritis. Antioxidants may also be able to reduce the symptoms of the condition.(1)

Their potent anti-inflammatory properties are another reason that you can use mushrooms for arthritis relief.(2) While inflammation is a normal part of our immune response, if it becomes chronic, it can damage our body. Medicinal fungi contain powerful secondary metabolites and polysaccharides like beta-glucans, which fight inflammation. Inflammation is one of the principal symptoms of arthritis, so anything that helps to reduce it could be beneficial.

A more indirect benefit of mushrooms for arthritis is that they can lower your cholesterol levels.(3) Studies have found that high cholesterol may increase the release of inflammatory proteins in the body. It might also contribute to the breakdown of cartilage, which is a cause of osteoarthritis. As such, keeping your cholesterol in the healthy range could lessen the risk of the condition and ease its symptoms.

What’s more, functional fungi have immunomodulatory effects.(4) This is relevant because inflammation is an immune response, and supporting the immune system can ensure it functions optimally. This includes avoiding an overly active immune response, potentially lowering the risk of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.(5)

Finally, their positive effect on cartilage health is another benefit of mushrooms for arthritis. Studies show that these fungi can reduce cartilage degradation and possibly even promote its repair, easing symptoms of the condition.(6)

What is the best mushroom for arthritis?

The short answer to this question is that there isn’t one functional fungus that stands out above the rest! Many species offer the benefits of mushrooms for arthritis that we’ve discussed above. For example, cordyceps contains a compound called cordycepin, which blocks or suppresses certain proteins that trigger inflammation.(7) Meanwhile, chaga can inhibit the production of harmful cytokines (signalling proteins) that cause inflammation in the body.(8)

Studies have also found that reishi is a good choice for those who want to use mushrooms for arthritis. The fungus has anti-angiogenic properties that help prevent excess blood vessel growth in inflamed joints, reducing inflammation and pain.(9) Similarly, lion’s mane can alleviate discomfort and inflammation associated with arthritis, as well as improve cartilage health.(6) Both fungi may further support joint health by boosting collagen production. However, more research is necessary to clarify if this is an effective benefit of mushrooms for arthritis.

Finally, agaricus blazei contains powerful anti-inflammatory metabolites like ergosterol, while polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms and turkey tail help reduce inflammation and support immunity. Essentially, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to using mushrooms for arthritis!

If you’re struggling to decide which fungi to go for, it’s useful to consider the other benefits they offer. For instance, cordyceps can improve athletic performance, and lion’s mane supports concentration and cognitive health. Meanwhile, turkey tail is an effective choice for supporting the health of your gut, and chaga could enhance your skin. It’s also possible to use a blend of different fungi powders, as long as you don’t exceed the overall recommended dosage. So, feel free to experiment with different mushrooms for arthritis and see which suits you the most.