What Are Mushroom Supplements?
Mushroom Extracts typically contain a standardized dosage or guaranteed minimum dosage of one of the mushroom’s bioactive compounds such as beta glucan polysaccharides. After the desired component is extracted from the mushroom in hot water or alcohol, it may be packaged in liquid form or dried and sold as an extract powder.
Mushroom supplements are available in several forms for easy inclusion into your daily wellness routine:
- Mushroom powder: usually packaged in resealable pouches or plastic canisters. Loose powder blends are taken by mixing a scoop into beverages or by incorporating them into your cooking.
- Mushroom capsules: Mushroom powder blends are also available in capsule form for ease and convenience. (4-Shrooms)
- Mushroom tinctures: Liquid extracts are usually packaged in dropper bottles that make adding drops to a beverage, broth, or soup easy.
- Ready-to-use mushroom products: Mushroom powder blends and extracts are combined with other ingredients in flavorful, ready-to-use beverage and broth mixes that are reconstituted with water.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Functional Mushroom Supplements?
Functional mushrooms contain many nutrients and bioactive compounds that have earned them the superfood status. Their use has been documented in many parts of the world for centuries. As a whole, they can support immune system functioning, gut health, and overall well-being.‡
Each functional mushroom species also has specific health and wellness benefits tied to its characteristic properties. You can choose the best type of mushroom that suits your goals or needs. A few examples include:
Lion’s Mane
The shaggy, culinary mushroom known as Lion’s Mane contains beneficial hericenone compounds in its fruiting body and erinacine compounds in its mycelium. Lion’s Mane supplements work to support healthy brain and nervous system functioning as well as provide support for conditions of depression and anxiety. While also enhancing cognition and natural energy.‡
Reishi
One of the most well-known of the functional mushrooms, Reishi is a highly valued adaptogen that helps the body maintain homeostatic equilibrium when faced with internal and external stressors. Reishi has also been reported to support restful sleep, cortisol managment, immune function, cardiovascular function, and metabolic energy levels. .‡
Maitake
Through its content of complex polysaccharides, Maitake, or the “rippled dancing mushroom,” supports metabolic health, immune system, healthy blood sugar levels, and healthy weight. Taking Maitake regularly along with a balanced diet and exercise can help to achieve your weight management goals. .‡
Cordyceps
Several studies suggest that Cordyceps may help enhance immune health, male sexual health, energy, liver health, and provide antioxidant effects with support for the cardiac and respiratory systems, Cordyceps supplements are chosen by athletes and nonathletes alike. This functional mushroom supports energy and endurance.‡
Do Mushroom Supplements Really Work?
Functional mushroom species provide many other health benefits beyond just good nutrition, by balancing free radicals, mushroom antioxidants such as glutathione, ergothioneine, and polyphenols can help combat damage caused by oxidative stress. Beta-glucan polysaccharides support and potentiate the immune system. Prebiotic fiber from functional mushroom supplements supports the growth of diverse populations of the probiotic microorganisms that comprise the microbiome in the gut. ‡
Daily use of functional mushrooms requires a steady supply of high-quality products, as well as the time and ability needed to prepare them. This is where 4-Shrooms prove especially beneficial. Since functional mushrooms are most effective when taken daily, mushroom supplements are a convenient and accessible way to receive your daily dose.
How Long Does It Take for Mushroom Supplements to Work?
While some supplements may be taken occasionally, others work best when taken daily. As a nutritional supplement, mushrooms fall into the latter category. Over time, usually after two to three weeks, the benefits of the mushroom supplement work to support your body’s optimal functioning. ‡
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