Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and more recently mushroom extracts have gained popularity as a convenient and potent way to harness the health benefits, including immune system support, anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidant properties.
Below is an overview of some of the best-known and most studied functional mushrooms, their health benefits, and tips on choosing brands known for their quality, efficacy, and commitment to excellence.
What are the most popular functional mushrooms?
Reishi
Reishi is a functional mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is also known as Lingzhi, Ganoderma lucidum, and the “mushroom of immortality”. Reishi mushrooms are found on hardwood trees and can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It’s one of the most widely used mushrooms in the world today.
Chaga: ”King” of Medicinal Mushrooms
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus that grows on birch trees. It enters through wounds in the birch, causes decay and forms black, sterile mycelial masses called sclerotium.
Cordyceps: Energy, Endurance and Beyond
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It grows on the larva of certain types of insects, eventually killing its host and sprouting out of its head. The fungus can be found in many parts of the world, but it is most commonly found in Tibet and Nepal.
Lion’s Mane: Memory and Brain Health
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a well-established culinary-medicinal mushroom used traditionally in Eastern Asia to improve memory. The fungus was first documented by Japanese physician Dr. Hiraga Gennai in 1739, who named it “yamabushitake” or “mountain climber” because it grows on trees near mountain streams and looks like a shaggy mane of hair from afar.
Turkey Tail
How to choose the best functional mushroom brands
There are hundreds of functional mushroom brands on the market, but not all are created equal. So when it comes to choosing one, it can get confusing. Here are some things you should keep in mind:
- Growth and Harvesting: First and foremost, it is important to look for brands that use high-quality, organic mushrooms that have been sustainably harvested. This ensures that the mushrooms are free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals, and that the brand is not contributing to the destruction of natural habitats. In addition, organic mushrooms are often of a higher quality than non-organic mushrooms, as they are grown in optimal conditions and are not treated with harmful chemicals.
- Extraction Method: Functional mushrooms contain a variety of beneficial compounds, including beta-glucans and triterpenoids. These compounds are not always easily extracted from the mushroom, and different extraction methods can yield different results. Hot water extraction and dual extraction (a combination of hot water and alcohol extraction) are considered the most effective methods for extracting the beneficial compounds from mushrooms. Brands that use these methods are more likely to provide a high-quality product with a full range of beneficial compounds.
- Third-party Testing: Brands that have their products third-party tested can provide peace of mind that the product is not only safe but also of high quality.
- Dosage: Different mushrooms and different extracts have different recommended dosages, so it is important to look for brands that provide clear and accurate dosage recommendations. It is also important to follow these recommendations and not to exceed the recommended dosage as it can be harmful.
- Brand Reputation: Another important consideration is the brand’s reputation. Look for brands that have a good reputation in the industry, and have been around for a while. You can also check customer reviews, which can give you an idea of the effectiveness of the product and the quality of the brand.
- Price: While it is tempting to choose the cheapest option available, it is important to remember that you often get what you pay for.
- Low number of human clinical trials: Although a great deal of research has been carried out to highlight their various beneficial properties and thus their potential use in therapeutics, many mushrooms have only been tested in vitro or in vivo in animal models, mainly mice and rats, with little or no scientific support in vivo in humans. Thus, although supplement companies often specify research to support their product claims, these are preclinical or even in vitro studies.
- No standardization: Another aspect to take into account is that, for the same mushroom species, the doses, preparations, manufacturing practices, and claims vary considerably between manufacturers. In the absence of standardization, significant differences can be found even in different batches from the same manufacturer.
- Safety and Efficacy: The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require manufacturers to prove safety and efficacy, although products must have a history of safety. For most mushroom-based supplements, safety and efficacy are generally supported by traditional use, in vitro studies, animal model studies, and some case reports.
- Presence of active ingredients: The lack of regulation and monitoring by many governments means that supplements are often not monitored to ensure that they contain the ingredients or the amount of active ingredient declared by the manufacturer. Indeed, unlisted components may be present, which may be either harmful or inert. Furthermore, the very fact that a fungal extract contains a multitude of demonstrably or potentially bioactive compounds often makes it difficult to link the effect to its true responsible agent, which also requires knowledge of the real concentration of the bioactive compounds contained in a supplement.
Guidelines
Choosing the best functional mushroom brand is all about your needs and the kind of health benefits you desire. In order to meet your goals, you should buy from a company that is reputable and produces quality products. Below are some criteria you should keep in mind and a selection of brands that meet those criteria:
- Choose extract that will offer you the highest quality of ingredients. Beta-glucan is found in the cell walls of mushrooms and it has been shown to have many health benefits. The fruiting body is where most of the beta-glucan is found, so it’s important to choose a mushroom extract that has been extracted from the fruiting body.
- Be aware that some extracts contain fillers such as corn starch, yucca schidigera starch, calcium phosphate, carrageenan from clamshells or vegan cellulose. Companies use cheap fillers to bulk up the mixture making it more profitable even though these fillers may not be good for digestion.
- Functional mushroom extracts should contain high-quality ingredients for the most benefit, ideally in the right dosage.
- Mushroom extracts should be manufactured in a facility that is GMP-certified to ensure product safety and quality control.
- Extracts should be made from mushrooms that have been grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals.
With the above tips and guidance, you should be able to find the right functional mushroom for your health needs and budget.
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What Medicinal Mushroom Can Do?