Mushrooms are experiencing an upswing. You’ll find them everywhere from seasoning blends and snacks to beverages and even supplements like capsules, powder, liquid extract, tablets, and vegan gummies form.
All over the world, mushrooms are well known for their immune enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties, with some mushrooms able to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep patterns, balance energy levels and enhance cognitive performance.
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Immune System Support
Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which can boost your immune system and help fight infections. They contain natural compounds which help combat inflammation and protect against oxidative stress which has been linked to heart disease and cancer. In addition, they provide important nutrients such as Vitamin D, protein and B vitamins.
One cup of white button mushrooms contains approximately 10% of your daily protein needs and serves as an excellent source of selenium, an anti-free radical mineral which protects cells and tissues against damage by free radicals. They provide an abundance of potassium which is known to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Shiitake, in particular, have been proven to increase igA activity – an essential immune cell associated with our primary defense against diseases – while simultaneously decreasing CRP levels (a measure of inflammation).
Reishi is another powerful immunity-enhancing fungus that can assist your body’s response to infections and help fight off cancer cells. Reishi’s polysaccharides stimulate parts of your immune system to produce more natural killer cells which kill cancerous tumors while stopping their spread.
Maitake, turkey tail and cordyceps can help boost immune health. Cordyceps is particularly intriguing, having been shown to raise ATP levels in rodents – helping them gain energy and enhance physical performance – as well as possessing hormone-regulating properties which could improve libido and sperm health for men.
Mood Enhancement
Positive mental wellbeing is vital to overall wellness. A good mood can make you more productive at work and facilitate staying healthy through exercise, as well as improve your sense of well-being and quality of life.
Unfortunately, most of us struggle to maintain our equilibrium on our own due to stress from work, social life and daily challenges; functional mushrooms can serve as an effective natural mood enhancer by relieving stress while supporting production of key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine for normal production and release.
Mushrooms belonging to the chaga, lion’s mane, turkey tail and cordyceps groups provide mood enhancing benefits thanks to polysaccharides and beta-glucan compounds found within. These phytonutrients may increase energy levels, reduce anxiety levels and enhance brain health – with chaga and lion’s mane being particularly popular among meditators for increasing focus and concentration. The popularity of these mushrooms is constantly rising, especially lion’s mane. Find a reliable private label lion’s mane supplier for high quality mushrooms. You can sell it to people that like to take it with their coffee, as an ingredient in their food and smoothies or just with water and honey. The health benefits are enormous and it tastes really nice.
Mushrooms may play an integral part in improving our mood by altering our gut micro biome. A 2018 study (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323400#:~:text=Extracts%20from%20lion’s%20mane%20mushrooms,markers%20that%20indicated%20lower%20depression.) demonstrated how Lion’s Mane mushrooms may reduce symptoms of depression by inducing hippocampal neurogenesis – an area in the brain associated with nerve growth protein production – thus encouraging hippocampal neurogenesis.
Other research shows that Reishi may promote a healthy response to stress and support normal endocrine function within the body. Reishi may decrease anxiety levels, lower blood sugar and improve sleep quality.
There is also a rise in mushrooms made from precision-targeted formulas that trigger natural dopamine production to support mental clarity, creativity and calm focus – the ideal complement to an afternoon yoga flow, sound bath or meditation session.
Weight Loss
Mushrooms are low in calories and fat while boasting an abundance of essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. Mushrooms provide us with protein and fiber which keep us feeling full for longer, as well as being a rich source of potassium which supports heart health.
Mushrooms provide significant anti-inflammatory benefits and support the immune system to fight off diseases and infections. Mushrooms contain B vitamins and antioxidants which may provide protection from cognitive decline, heart disease, cancer and other medical issues.
Reishi supplements have often been advertised as natural cancer treatments; however, no clinical trials support such claims. Reishi’s polysaccharides stimulate parts of the immune system; however, this does not treat or cure cancer.
The supplements market is highly unregulated, with many products making exaggerated claims or not following correct manufacturing procedures. Therefore, it’s wise to do your research prior to purchasing any product.
If you are trying to lose weight, include mushrooms in your meals. They provide protein, soluble fiber, potassium, which may help curb appetite and contribute to weight loss. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin D which will strengthen your immunity and fight colds and flu better than anything else!
Brain Health
As well as supporting immune function, mushrooms also enhance cognitive function by clearing away brain fog and helping you rediscover focus. Lion’s mane and cordyceps in particular contain compounds called erinacines – which you can go to gb mushrooms to learn about – and hericenones which stimulate nerve growth factor which in turn improve cognitive performance; studies showed 50- to 80-year olds with poor cognition who took lion’s mane extract for 16 weeks experienced increased brain function compared to their counterparts who did not take this extract.
Chaga provides incredible mental health benefits and is frequently used by meditators for improving memory and concentration. Chaga contains beta glucans and polysaccharides with antioxidative, immune-supportive, antimicrobial effects – as well as supporting strong nervous systems and relieving stress and anxiety symptoms.
Adaptogenic mushrooms such as reishi and ashwagandha are great ways to alleviate stress, boost mood and protect brain health. Reishi has been shown to balance adrenals as well as weak or overactive immune systems; while ashwagandha promotes relaxation and balanced responses to stress.