Mushrooms are now known not just for pizzas and flavoring for foraged foods but their many health benefits. However, the thought of buying mushroom supplements and what to look for when buying them can be overwhelming, even for experienced buyers.
Every manufacturer is claiming to have the best mushroom supplement there is. Every supplement is promising optimum benefits. So how do you know which mushroom supplement to buy?
This beginner’s guide to buying mushroom supplements will help you choose the right one, including which ones not to buy, so keep on reading!
What are mushroom supplements?
Mushroom supplements are designed to provide you with the same benefits as mushrooms. They have different forms, including capsules and powders. Mushroom supplements are used to help treat diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
Types of Mushroom Supplements
There are a few different types of mushroom supplements available on the market today. Each type has its unique benefits that help you achieve your health goals.
Herbal Mushroom Supplements
These powders are made from dried mushrooms and are typically mixed with other herbs to improve their taste and consistency. They are great ways to get a wide range of medicinal benefits from mushrooms without taking too much at once.
Mushroom Powders
These powders are usually made from whole mushrooms, which means they contain all of the nutrients found in those particular mushrooms. They are easier for your body to digest than herbal mushroom supplements because they do not have any additional ingredients added to them as some do. So you can absorb more nutrients!
Mushroom Capsules
This is one of the most common types of mushroom supplements because they are easy to swallow and often come in dosages that will give you everything you need without having to take several different products at once (which can be difficult if there are allergies or sensitivities involved).
Mushroom Extraction procedures
These refer to how the mushrooms were processed into their final form.
Hot-Water Extraction
Hot water extraction involves boiling dried mushrooms in water, then filtering them out of the liquid and drying them again. This process is more time-consuming than hot ethanol extraction but also preserves more nutrients in the final product.
Hot Ethanol Extraction
Hot ethanol extraction involves soaking dried mushrooms in alcohol for several hours before filtering them out and drying them again. This process extracts more nutrients from the mushrooms than hot water extraction does—but it also removes some of the beneficial compounds found in raw mushrooms, so it is best to find a supplement that uses both methods if possible!
Mushrooms used in supplements
Here are some of the most common mushrooms used in supplements:
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane (also known as Hericium Erinaceus) is a mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is known for its ability to improve your brain function and mood. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
It may also help improve brain function by increasing the production of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
Reishi
Reishi (also known as Ganoderma lucidum) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years.
This is the type of fungus that is commonly found on decaying logs or stumps. It is called red mushroom or mushroom of immortality because its popularity dates back thousands of years to ancient China when it was believed to promote longevity and prevent disease.
It contains several different compounds, called triterpenes, which may have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. It also enhances immunity and improves sleep quality.
Chaga
Chaga (also known as Inonotus obliquus) has been used traditionally in Russia and other parts of Europe for centuries. It is also known for its immune-enhancing qualities and its ability to increase energy levels and stamina.
It is also called black yeast because it looks like black dots on the surface of the tree where it grows.
Turkey Tail
Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom that has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also helps reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.
It is a type of fungus that grows on dead trees and stumps. It is often used as an immune system booster for people with autoimmune disorders or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It has been shown to help with weight loss when combined with other supplements such as cordyceps.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that helps increase energy levels, and improve athletic performance and endurance. It also boosts the immune system.
It grows on caterpillar larvae and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine, where it is believed to strengthen the immune system and improve energy levels.
Shiitake
Shiitake is another type of fungus that grows on tree trunks, logs, and wood chips in Asia and Eastern Europe.
It contains compounds called beta-glucans that have been shown to have many health benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels and helping in reducing inflammation in the body. It also has antioxidant properties.
Poria
Poria is a type of mushroom that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It is known for its ability to help with respiratory problems like asthma or allergies by reducing swelling. It is also great for helping with digestion issues—especially constipation!
Agarikon
Agarikon is another type of mushroom that has been used for thousands of years as a medicine in China. It helps with many different ailments including asthma, bronchitis, and digestion problems like constipation and diarrhea. It also helps cure fatigue and insomnia.
Phellinus Linteus
Phellinus Linteus is another popular supplement made from a mushroom called wood ear fungus (also known as cloud ear fungus). This type of mushroom has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with arthritis pain relief as well as allergies like hay fever symptoms such as sneezing or runny nose due to pollen allergies.
What to look for when buying mushroom supplements?
Mushroom supplements are one of the hottest new wellness fads. People from every corner of the planet claim that these natural fungus extracts have helped to improve their health and even cure several conditions.
Mushrooms have long been hailed for their health benefits, but if you are new to using them as a part of your daily routine, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many different kinds of mushroom supplements available on the market today—which one should you try?
Do not be tricked by unethical marketing techniques of manufacturers that will do everything to get your hard-earned money. Take note of these pointers below before buying your mushroom supplements.
Look for Starch Content
If the supplement contains more than 5% starch by weight, it will not work as well for its intended purpose. Starch does not have any known health benefits and can be harmful to some people with digestive issues. So if a supplement has a high amount of starch in it—or no information about its starch content at all—it might be best to look somewhere.
Look for a hot-water extracted supplement.
The reason for this is that hot-water extraction is a process that uses heat and pressure to extract the active ingredients in mushrooms. This allows you to get all of the beneficial nutrients from your supplement without having to worry about any harmful side effects from chemicals or solvents being used in the manufacturing process.
Choose a concentrated extract over mushroom powder.
The concentrated extracts contain more active ingredients than the powders do; this will help you get more out of your supplement.
Avoid supplements that say mycelium.
This information could be one of the most crucial things to check in buying a mushroom supplement. Do not forget to check that your supplement contains more than just mycelium (the root system). Mycelium is substantial for growing mushrooms and serves as a nutritional supplement, but it will not give you the same benefits as eating a whole fruiting body.
Choose wood-grown
The reason why you should choose wood-grown is that the mushrooms are grown in an environment that is similar to their natural habitat, which means that they will have high levels of essential nutrients like B vitamins and antioxidants.
Look for an organic label.
Look for a brand that has a Certified Organic label. Mushrooms are grown in the ground, so they’re more susceptible to pesticides than other food products. The organic label ensures that you get a product that has not been exposed to harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
Finding the right mushroom supplement for your health and lifestyle needs can be difficult, but it is worth the effort. The more time and research you put into your purchase, the more likely you will be able to achieve your goals. Do not hesitate and know that it is always okay to do your research.
Remember that taking medicinal mushrooms requires patience, and you will not see immediate benefits.
Although it is nice to have so much choice when buying supplements, as a beginner, this can also make it quite confusing as to which is the best option. Hopefully, we made that process easier by outlining some of the main points to consider when choosing a mushroom supplement.
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REFERENCES
What Are Mushroom Supplements and Why Is Everyone Suddenly Obsessed With Them?.
Medicinal Mushroom Starch Testing: Does your product contain fillers?.
https://teelixir.com/blogs/news/what-you-need-to-know-before-buy-medicinal-mushroom
