When most of us think of mushrooms, we picture them as a healthy addition to our meals. However, certain mushrooms offer more than just nutritional benefits—they may also help support your skin’s natural defenses against the sun. One such mushroom, Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM), is being explored for its potential role in helping the skin maintain its health when exposed to UVB radiation, which is linked to sunburns and signs of aging.
Understanding UVB Radiation and Why It Matters
VB radiation is a type of ultraviolet (UV) light that comes from the sun. There are two primary types of UV light that reach the earth—UVA and UVB. While UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are associated with long-term skin changes, UVB rays primarily affect the outer layers of the skin. Prolonged exposure to UVB can lead to sunburn, redness, and irritation.
Keeping your skin protected from UVB is important for maintaining its overall health, especially if you spend extended time outdoors. Natural ways to support your skin’s resilience to UVB are gaining interest, including the potential role of ABM mushrooms.
Meet Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM)
Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) is a mushroom that has been traditionally valued in wellness practices, particularly in Brazil and Japan. This unique mushroom is known for its rich content of nutrients and naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Among these compounds are polysaccharides, which are complex sugars that may offer supportive health benefits.
Polysaccharides from ABM have been studied for their potential to support overall health, including antioxidant properties that help protect cells, anti-inflammatory benefits that promote balance in the body, and immune-supporting effects. These qualities suggest that ABM mushrooms may offer natural support for skin health, including helping the skin maintain its resilience when exposed to the sun.
How ABM Polysaccharides May Help
A recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences examined how ABM polysaccharides (ABP) could help protect skin cells from the damaging effects of UVB radiation. The researchers used a model of human skin cells called HaCaT cells to simulate how skin responds to UVB exposure. Here’s what they discovered:
- Supporting Cell Renewal:
ABP helped enhance cell proliferation, a process where skin cells divide and renew. This is key for maintaining healthy skin, as new cells can replace old, damaged ones. - Boosting Cellular Energy: Inside every cell, there are tiny structures called mitochondria that act like power plants, providing the energy needed for the cell to function properly. The study found that ABP improved the mitochondrial membrane potential, which is a measure of how well the mitochondria are working. When mitochondria are functioning well, the cells have the energy they need to repair themselves.
- Reduced Inflammation: UVB exposure can cause inflammation, leading to redness and irritation. The study found that ABP helped reduce the levels of inflammatory markers in the skin, promoting a more balanced inflammatory response.
- Strengthening the Skin Barrier:
ABP also increased the levels of key proteins in the skin barrier, such as filaggrin (FLG) and aquaporin-3 (AQP3). These proteins help protect the skin and retain moisture, contributing to healthier, more resilient skin. - Regulating Inflammatory Pathways:
The study found that ABP helped modulate the JAK-STAT pathway, a signaling system in the body that influences inflammation and immune responses. By supporting the regulation of this pathway, ABP may help maintain a balanced inflammatory response in the skin.
- Supporting Cell Renewal:
What Could This Mean for You?
The findings from this study suggest that polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM), known as ABP, may offer natural support for your skin’s overall health, particularly when exposed to the sun. By encouraging healthy skin cell growth, supporting cellular energy, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the skin barrier, ABP shows potential as a valuable addition to natural skincare routines.
While further research, including human trials, is needed to fully understand its benefits, ABM mushrooms hold promise as a future ingredient in skincare products focused on promoting skin health and maintaining a youthful appearance.
So, as you consider how to care for your skin, think beyond traditional methods like sunscreen. The potential benefits of incorporating ABM mushrooms into your diet or skincare regimen may offer additional natural support for your skin’s well-being. Nature continually surprises us with its protective benefits, and ABM mushrooms are an exciting example of this.
Stay tuned for more developments in this exciting area of skincare science!
Bibliography
- Cheng, W., Di, F., Li, L., Pu, C., Wang, C., & Zhang, J. (2024). Anti-Photodamage Effect of Agaricus blazei Murill Polysaccharide on UVB-Damaged HaCaT Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(9), 4676. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094676
This reference provides the foundational research discussed in the blog, highlighting the protective effects of Agaricus blazei Murill polysaccharides on UVB-damaged skin cells.