Common Mushrooms Reduce Hormone Dependent Cancer

White button mushrooms—the kind that you normally find in your grocery store—contain compounds that are effective aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen, the hormone that feeds the growth of hormone-sensitive breast and prostate tumors. Synthetic drugs used to inhibit aromatase activity can have serious side effects, but 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) has a significant effect. The aromatase inhibitor Arimidex costs several hundred dollars per month; the mushrooms would be about $15. See the review of the scientific papers by Dr. Ralph Moss of Cancer Decisions.