Enhanced immune system function
Boosts immune response and white blood cell activity
Shiitake
Culinary and medicinal mushroom rich in lentinan that supports immune function, cardiovascular health, and liver function
Scientific nameLentinula edodes
FormulaComplex lentinan and beta-glucans
Molecular weightVariable bioactive compounds g/mol
CASVarious natural compounds
70
absorption score
8
safety / 10
30
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Shiitake with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
78
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimCholesterol reduction and heart health
Helps lower cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health
Liver health and detoxification support
Supports liver function and detoxification processes
Anti-viral and antimicrobial effects
May help fight viral and bacterial infections
Bone health support
May support bone density and skeletal health
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Probiotics for Autoimmune Disease Support
Gut health & immune modulation
10-100 billion CFU daily
B
60%
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Heart health & cellular energy
100-200mg
A
10%
Vitamin D3
Bone health & immune support
1000-2000 IU
A
85%
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
Heart & brain health
1-2g EPA/DHA
A
85%
Psyllium Husk
Digestive health & cholesterol support
5-15g
A
95%
Zinc Picolinate
Superior immune & healing support
15-30 mg
A
95%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Shiitake + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Shiitake + Aged Garlic Extract
Enhanced cholesterol reduction and immune benefits
Works better together
75
Shiitake + Vitamin D3
Enhanced bone health and immune function
Works better together
78
Shiitake + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
Enhanced bone health and immune function
Works better together
86
Dosage
Daily1000-3000mg
Immune support1000-2000mg daily
Cholesterol reduction1500-3000mg daily
Liver support1000-2000mg daily
General wellness500-1000mg daily
Before you take it
VeganYes
When to expect it
First Effects2-4 weeks for immune and initial cardiovascular benefits
Peak Benefits8-12 weeks for sustained cholesterol and immune benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentReturn to baseline immune and cardiovascular function
Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly skin reactions with raw consumption
How to measure it
MarkerCholesterol panel, immune markers, or liver function tests
OptimalImproved cholesterol levels and enhanced immune function
Deficient belowNot applicable for supplement
FrequencyMonitor cholesterol every 3-6 months, immune markers as needed
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 3 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
3 reports
of 15 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
100%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event1
Visited Emergency Room1
Other Serious Outcome1
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
High 70 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms
Delivered daily
1400 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$0.07 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Vitamin D
Enhanced bone health and immune function
Shiitake contains vitamin D2, works with vitamin D3 · level B
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Enhanced cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits
Both support heart health through different pathways · level B
+
Garlic
Enhanced cholesterol reduction and immune benefits
Complementary cholesterol-lowering compounds · level CWhat not to take with Shiitake
!
High Cholesterol Diet
High dietary cholesterol may overwhelm benefits
Excess cholesterol intake reduces effectiveness · moderate significance
!
Immunosuppressive Drugs
May counteract immunosuppressive effects
Shiitake stimulates immune function · minor significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay enhance cholesterol-lowering effects
What to do: Monitor cholesterol levels
May reduce effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs
What to do: Monitor immune status
May have mild anticoagulant effects
What to do: Monitor bleeding parameters
Available forms
Lentinan Extract: Most researched component, High potency, Medical grade, Standardized
Shiitake Extract (Standardized): Standardized potency, Good concentration, Research backed, Quality controlled
Whole Mushroom Powder: Complete spectrum, Natural form, Lower cost, Culinary use
Fresh/Dried Shiitake: Whole food, Culinary benefits, Very affordable, Widely available
Food sources
Fresh shiitake mushrooms
3-6 mushrooms provide moderate medicinal benefits · 50
Dried shiitake mushrooms
More concentrated than fresh · 55
Shiitake extract supplements
1000-3000mg per capsule · 70-85
Shiitake powder
Variable concentration · 60
Too little
- Not essential - but symptoms addressed by shiitake:
- Frequent infections and poor immune function
- High cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
- Poor liver function and detoxification
- Increased susceptibility to viral infections
- Poor bone health and mineral deficiency
- Chronic inflammation
Too much
- Generally safe but potential concerns:
- Shiitake dermatitis with raw consumption
- Mild digestive upset with high doses
- Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
- Generally very well tolerated when cooked
Who benefits most
immune-system-enhancement
Excellent immune booster with lentinan and beta-glucans
1000-3000mg daily
cholesterol-heart-health
Effective for reducing cholesterol and supporting heart health
1500-3000mg daily
liver-health-detox
Supports liver function and detoxification
1000-2000mg daily
viral-infections-prevention
May help prevent and fight viral infections
1000-2000mg daily
bone-health-osteoporosis
May support bone density and skeletal health
1000-2000mg dailyWhere to buy it
Look for Shiitake at 1000-3000mg per serving. The form that matters here is Lentinan Extract.
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
High cholesterol diet
High dietary cholesterol may overwhelm benefits
Excess cholesterol intake reduces effectivenessHow it works
- Lentinan activates natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes
- Eritadenine inhibits cholesterol synthesis enzyme
- Beta-glucans stimulate macrophages and immune response
- Fiber binds cholesterol reducing absorption
- Antioxidants protect liver cells from damage
- Polysaccharides have antiviral and antimicrobial effects
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Good evidence for immune enhancement and cholesterol reduction
- Lentinan approved as cancer adjuvant therapy in some countries
- Generally safe when properly prepared and cooked
- Both culinary and medicinal benefits make it unique
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Shiitake?
Documented effects: Enhanced immune system function; Cholesterol reduction and heart health; Liver health and detoxification support; Anti-viral and antimicrobial effects. Boosts immune response and white blood cell activity
How much Shiitake should you take per day?
The common daily range is 1000-3000mg. By goal — immune support: 1000-2000mg daily; cholesterol reduction: 1500-3000mg daily; liver support: 1000-2000mg daily; general wellness: 500-1000mg daily.
When is the best time to take Shiitake?
With meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for immune and initial cardiovascular benefits.
What are the side effects of Shiitake?
At excessive doses: Generally safe but potential concerns:, Shiitake dermatitis with raw consumption, Mild digestive upset with high doses, Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, Generally very well tolerated when cooked. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.
What should you not take with Shiitake?
Separate it from High Cholesterol Diet, Immunosuppressive Drugs by two to four hours. High dietary cholesterol may overwhelm benefits
Does Shiitake interact with medications?
Documented interactions with cholesterol-medications, immunosuppressive-medications, blood-thinners. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Shiitake?
The marker is Cholesterol panel, immune markers, or liver function tests, optimal range Improved cholesterol levels and enhanced immune function. Common deficiency signs: Not essential - but symptoms addressed by shiitake:, Frequent infections and poor immune function, High cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, Poor liver function and detoxification.