Did you know experts suggest we inhale up to 10 billion mushroom spores daily? This may explain why mushroom supplements positively impact health, especially immune function. Among 1.5 million fungal species, a few mushroom supplements stand out for their impressive health benefits.
Not just psychedelics, these functional mushrooms are in a class of their own and rich in bioactive compounds, offering solutions for various health needs.
Index
The Magic of Mushroom Supplements: How They Can Transform Your Health
When we talk about functional mushrooms, we're not referring to the psychedelic kind. No, these revered mushrooms are celebrated for their health-boosting compounds, often considered almost magical in their effects.
Functional mushrooms, commonly known as Mushroom Supplements, are enjoyed in various forms such as powders in beverages, soups, capsules, gummies, and tinctures..
With the advancement of recent scientific research, specific ways in which these fungi continuously promote human health and well-being have been unveiled.
Boost and Manage Your Energy Naturally
What is the best mushroom supplement to boost energy? 🌟 Cordyceps mushrooms are your natural energy boosters! These amazing fungi can enhance your stamina and endurance by improving oxygen utilization and increasing ATP production.
Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for centuries to combat fatigue and enhance physical performance. They work by supporting the body's natural production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in cells. This means more sustainable energy throughout your day without the jitters of caffeine.
- Best Mushroom for Energy: Cordyceps
- Best Pairing: Cordyceps and Reishi for a powerful energy and recovery boost.
Strengthen Your Immune Health
What is the best mushroom for improved immunity? Turkey Tail mushrooms are powerhouse immunity boosters. 🌟 They are rich in polysaccharopeptides that stimulate the immune response, helping to enhance your body’s defense mechanisms.
Used in traditional medicine for their immune-boosting properties, Turkey Tail mushrooms support overall health and well-being with their potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Best Mushroom for Immunity: Turkey Tail
- Best Pairing: Turkey Tail and Chaga for comprehensive immune support and antioxidant benefits.
Learn more about the best mushroom supplement for immune health.
Enhance Your Cognitive Health
What is the best mushroom for cognitive health? Ever wondered how to boost your brainpower naturally? 🧠 Lion’s Mane mushrooms are known for their cognitive-enhancing properties. They contain hericenones and erinacines, compounds that stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is essential for brain health.
These mushrooms have been prized in traditional medicine for centuries, supporting mental clarity, combat mental conditions such as Alzheimers, anxiety and overall cognitive function.
- Best Mushroom for Cognitive Health: Lion’s Mane
- Best Pairing: Lion’s Mane and Reishi for enhanced cognitive function and stress relief.
Learn more about the best mushroom supplement for cognitive health.
Promote Gut Health Naturally
What is the best mushroom to promote gut health? A healthy gut is crucial for overall wellness, and Chaga mushrooms can play a key role. 🌿 Rich in prebiotics, Chaga supports a healthy gut microbiome and is packed with antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) that combats oxidative stress.
Used in traditional medicine for its gut-supporting properties, Chaga mushrooms promote digestive health and bolster immune function. Incorporate Chaga into your daily regimen to optimize gut health and enhance well-being naturally.
- Best Mushroom for Gut Health: Chaga
- Best Pairing: Chaga and Maitake for optimal gut health and digestive support.
Learn more about the best mushroom supplement for your gut health
Improve Your Mood and Balance Hormones
What is the best mushroom to stabilise your mood and balance your hormones? Mushrooms contain an antioxidant known as ergothioneine, an amino acid with potent antioxidant properties. Humans can’t produce ergothioneine, so we have to obtain it from our diet, with mushrooms being the primary source.
Ergothioneine can help reduce stress levels, which can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Mushrooms like Reishi are renowned for their mood-enhancing properties, known to reduce stress and anxiety by regulating cortisol levels.
- Best Mushroom for Mood: Reishi
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Best Pairing: Reishi and Lion’s Mane for mood enhancement and cognitive support
- Best Mushroom for Balance Hormones: Reishi
- Best Pairing: Reishi and Cordyceps for balanced hormones and mood support
More About Mushrooms
Outside of antioxidant power, mushrooms are nutritionally dense if we compare them to typical dietary sources, including “superfood” plants and animal products.
Mushrooms are generally a rich source of fibre, B vitamins, vitamin D, minerals, and other potent antioxidants mentioned earlier.
From a wellness perspective, getting adequate amounts of the nutrients mentioned can lead to better emotional and mental wellbeing. [8]
Conclusion
Medicinal mushrooms can help boost immunity, boost energy, and promote brain health. They have potential as alternative treatments to common health problems including chronic inflammation, anxiety and depression, and chronic fatigue.
We’ve only scratched the surface of what medicinal mushrooms can do for the human body, but the future is promising.
References
1. Silverman MN, Heim CM, Nater UM, Marques AH, Sternberg EM. Neuroendocrine and immune contributors to fatigue. PM R. 2010;2(5):338-346. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.04.008
2. Janjušević L, Karaman M, Šibul F, Tommonaro G, Iodice C, Jakovljević D, Pejin B. The lignicolous fungus Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (1920): a promising natural source of antiradical and AChE inhibitory agents. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2017 Dec;32(1):355-362. doi: 10.1080/14756366.2016.1252759. PMID: 28097907; PMCID: PMC6010034.
3. Pallav K, Dowd SE, Villafuerte J, Yang X, Kabbani T, Hansen J, Dennis M, Leffler DA, Newburg DS, Kelly CP. Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial. Gut Microbes. 2014 Jul 1;5(4):458-67. doi: 10.4161/gmic.29558. Epub 2014 Jul 9. PMID: 25006989.
4. Li IC, Lee LY, Tzeng TT, Chen WP, Chen YP, Shiao YJ, Chen CC. Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines. Behav Neurol. 2018 May 21;2018:5802634. doi: 10.1155/2018/5802634. PMID: 29951133; PMCID: PMC5987239.
5. Delzenne NM, Bindels LB. Gut microbiota: Ganoderma lucidum, a new prebiotic agent to treat obesity? Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Oct;12(10):553-4. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2015.137. Epub 2015 Aug 18. PMID: 26284561.
6. Hu Y, Teng C, Yu S, Wang X, Liang J, Bai X, Dong L, Song T, Yu M, Qu J. Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota of chronic pancreatitis in mice. AMB Express. 2017 Dec;7(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s13568-017-0341-1. Epub 2017 Feb 14. PMID: 28197985; PMCID: PMC5309192.
7. De Giani A, Bovio F, Forcella ME, Lasagni M, Fusi P, Di Gennaro P. Prebiotic Effect of Maitake Extract on a Probiotic Consortium and Its Action after Microbial Fermentation on Colorectal Cell Lines. Foods. 2021 Oct 21;10(11):2536. doi: 10.3390/foods10112536. PMID: 34828817; PMCID: PMC8617840.
8. Zajac IT, Barnes M, Cavuoto P, Wittert G, Noakes M. The Effects of Vitamin D-Enriched Mushrooms and Vitamin D3 on Cognitive Performance and Mood in Healthy Elderly Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 16;12(12):3847. doi: 10.3390/nu12123847. PMID: 33339304; PMCID: PMC7766163.
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