An Australian university has come under fire for spruiking a study into the supposed immune-boosting powers of mushrooms - without revealing it was sponsored by a company that sells mushroom-based immune-boosters.
Griffith University claimed its research showed a powdered mushroom extract “could ultimately help to boost the immune system”, protecting people from microbes, toxins and carcinogens.
“Mushrooms contain a variety of constituents that are important for supporting health, but
the beta-glucans ... are particularly important for supporting immune function,” a statement said.
But the Queensland-based university did not disclose on its website and in a press release that the research was sponsored by Integria Healthcare, a company that sells mushroom-based pills and powders.
Griffith allowed Integria to vet a draft of the press release, the university /confirm/ied.
On the back of the study, Integria launched a "scientifically proven" mushroom-based product to boost immunity.
The research attracted national and international media coverage.
Leading scientists told The Age Griffith's claims about the effectiveness of the mushroom powder were significantly overhyped. There was no evidence from the study mushrooms could boost human immunity, they said.
Griffith is the latest Australian university to come under scrutiny for allegedly overhyping industry-funded research.
Critics say universities' reputations are being taken advantage of by companies keen to add a sheen of scientific credibility to their products.
The Griffith study tested mushroom powder on human cells in a lab, not on humans or even on mice, which is generally one of the earliest steps in research.
Studies done at this extremely early stage cannot be used to make claims about human health, critics say.
Professor John Dwyer, a former head of immunology at Yale and head of medicine at the University of NSW, said the study offered “no reason to believe mushroom powder would enhance your immunity”.
“Griffith University should have demanded that the press release by its investigators contain appropriate caveats about the preliminary nature of the results which should not at this stage be associated with any claims for clinical benefits,” Professor Dwyer said.
Professor Stephen Turner, a leading immunity researcher based at Monash University, said: “This is the very start of the science pipeline. It needs to be tested in an animal trial to demonstrate it works.
“Whether there is any health benefit is completely up in the air. People are better off spending their money eating healthy food rather than supplements.”
In a short statement, Griffith said the industry funding was disclosed in the study itself.
“Griffith University disseminated the media release through the distribution channel Scimex with a clear listing detailing the study’s funding partnership with Integria,” the university's statement read.
However, The Age has confirmed the editors at Scimex added this declaration themselves after spotting the funding in the study.
The study’s lead author is Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo from Griffith’s Institute for Glycomics.
“[Integria Healthcare] were looking at providing scientific evidence for these products. They want to use science to potentially validate and promote their products, and to inform the scientific community and general public,” Professor Tiralongo said.
“It’s a really nice example of the way academia and industry can work together to boost scientific progress as well as inform the general public and consumers about these products.”
Hans Wohlmuth, head of research and development at Integria and a co-author of the study, denied the press release made any claims about the human health effects of mushrooms.
"It reports the findings of the study, and it is made very clear that the work was done in human macrophages," he said.
"The title of the press release is, 'Mushroom extracts could offer an immune cell boost'."
Griffith declined to say how much the Integria funding was worth. The university's website was updated to include the funding disclosure after The Age raised questions about it.
