A Quality-of-Life Study in Healthy Adults Supplemented with Lentinex® Beta-Glucan of Shiitake Culinary−Medicinal Mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes)

Authors: Jonathan Aldwinckle, Bjorn Kristiansen

Journal: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

Study Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Participants: 63 healthy adult subjects

Intervention: The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups:

• Lentinex group: Took 1-2 mL/day of Lentinex (1-2 mg beta-glucan) orally for four weeks
• Placebo group: Took a placebo orally for four weeks

Outcome Measures:

• Well-being questionnaire completed before and after the four-week supplementation period.

Summary: The study investigated the effect of Lentinex®, a beta-glucan derived from shiitake mushroom mycelia, on the well-being of healthy adults. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in well-being in the Lentinex group compared to the placebo group. The degree of improvement was more pronounced in subjects who reported lower initial well-being scores. The study concluded that Lentinex supplementation may be beneficial for enhancing well-being, particularly in individuals with initially lower levels of well-being.