There's no question that mushroom supplements are taking the health world by storm, but are mushroom supplements good to take? Let's find out!
While conventional, culinary mushrooms like button and shitake are good for us, functional mushrooms like chaga and reishi offer health benefits on a whole new level!
And while they are technically edible, they aren't always very tasty. This is why many functional mushrooms are offered in powered form, packed into capsules.
Grab functional mushroom supplements here.
What are functional mushrooms?
Functional mushrooms are known for their tremendous health benefits beyond their nutritional composition and fall into one of two categories: medicinal or adaptogenic.
Medicinal mushrooms aid in preventing, alleviating, and helping to ease multiple diseases.
Adaptogenic mushrooms help your body respond and react to stress. While both classes of functional mushrooms work in different ways, they each provide a boost to our immune system.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is a member of the adaptogenic mushroom family and is perhaps best known for the cognitive improvements it can create in older adults. It is said to protect against Alzheimer’s and ischemic strokes.
Tremella
Also known as white fungus or snow fungus, the tremella mushroom grows on tree bark and is most common to Asia. This little mushroom packs quite a punch.
It is loaded with antioxidants, helps lower cholesterol, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. The tremella mushroom also contains a special polysaccharide that powerfully boosts the immune system.
Reishi
This mushroom is known for its ability to boost the immune system. In fact, molecules in this fungus have been shown to activate natural killer cells (a type of white blood cells) that fight cancers and infections. It can help combat fatigue and depression, improve heart health, and naturally decrease blood sugar levels.
Chaga
You can typically find this fungus in colder climates attached to the bark of birch trees. Use this supplement to give your immune system a boost and to reduce inflammation. It may also increase endurance and memory function.
Turkey Tail
The turkey tail mushroom’s claim to fame is it’s resemblance in appearance to the tail feathers of a turkey. It contains two important molecules of polysaccharide peptide and polysaccharide krestin that are thought to slow cancer growth and give your immune system a boost. It is also believed to alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections.
Mushroom Supplements Are Great to Take!
As you can see, taking a mushroom supplement isn't just good...it's great! Whatever you are working to strengthen or prevent in your body, can potentially be supported or eased with the use of mushroom supplements.
Enjoy the added energy, boosted immune system, and overall general health that these functional mushrooms provide. Take a single mushroom supplement or use a blended supplement (also called stacked) to get even more health benefits.