Ganoderma (Reishi Tcm) for Anti-Aging

Research suggests that Ganoderma lucidum may offer anti-aging benefits through antioxidant activity and gut microbiome-mediated pathways, though the evidence base remains limited. A 2017 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 42 healthy adults found that a reishi extract enriched in triterpenoids and polysaccharides improved plasma antioxidant capacity, glutathione levels, and antioxidant enzyme activity while reducing markers of oxidative and DNA damage, with some participants also showing improvement in liver health indicators. A 2025 preclinical study in mice further proposed that sporoderm-broken spore powder may slow kidney aging by promoting beneficial gut bacteria that elevate NAD+ levels, a pathway linked to cellular energy and aging, though animal findings do not always translate to humans. Overall, the available research is directionally supportive but consists of only two studies — one small human trial and one animal study — meaning broader, longer-term human trials are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.