Feature Image by golde
Let’s take a trip through the mushroom meadow. Not to be deceiving here, but we are not talking about the button, cremini, portobello, and oyster mushrooms located at your local grocer.
Instead, we’re talking about the antioxidant-rich mushrooms, like Chaga and lion’s mane, which can’t easily be consumed as a side at dinner. These types of mushrooms, like Reishi and Cordyceps, are relatively new and widely unknown in Western medicine, but they are extremely common in medicinal practices elsewhere in the world and among different cultures.
But what’s their superpower? Why is everyone obsessed with taking them? And what sets these types of mushrooms apart from others? We’re here to answer all that and more, and to get down to the bottom of how mushroom supplements can heal and balance the body and the mind.
Mushroom 101
Mushrooms, especially the ones you eat from your local grocery store, offer a plethora of immune-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Mushrooms are also fungi, and as weird as that sounds, it allows them to act as a medicine for your body. Edible mushrooms in particular provide fiber and protein and contain all nine essential amino acids as well as B vitamins, copper, zinc, glutathione, and vitamin D. Mushrooms offer medicinal properties because of the biologically active compounds that help to influence our physiology. Mushrooms truly do the most, and then some.
However, non-edible mushrooms like Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps offer the same immune-boosting qualities and superior benefits as above, but they contain an indigestible fiber called Chitin, an inedible cell wall of the mushroom. We lack the enzyme needed to help break it down, but through extraction, we are able to extract beneficial compounds like beta-glucans and triterpenoids. That’s where mushroom tinctures and supplements come into play. The crucial components of mushrooms are typically extracted through spring water or alcohol and then turned into a powder that is then capsulized for your basic tincture.
Why are people so obsessed?
Mushroom supplements are made with adaptogenic mushrooms, helping to regulate the body’s response to stress and helping it once again discover resilience, revitalization, and equilibrium. There are also a few key benefits that make consuming mushrooms a must for those who are beauty- and health-obsessed. Taking your daily dose of mushrooms can:
- Slow the aging process
- Protect against chronic disease
- Support overall body function
- Serve as prebiotic and restore gut health with polysaccharides
What are the different types of mushrooms?
Understanding the different mushrooms (and knowing the lingo) means understanding their unique benefits. There are so many mushrooms to familiarize yourself with, but we can get you started with the core four.
- Chaga. This mushroom is a potent antioxidant that offers the highest antioxidant content of any food. It works to slow the aging process, protect the skin, and enhances the immune system.
- Reishi. Relaxation comes to mind when we think of Reishi. This mushroom assists the body with stress and encourages healthy sleep. This natural supplement is an anti-inflammatory loaded with antioxidants that activate the immune system. We love blending the golde Shroom Shield, which features Reishi, Turkey Tail, and cacao, in our hot drinks for an easy way to reap the benefits.
- Lion’s Mane. If you’re all about improving the health of your cognitive function, this mushroom is for you. It assists with nerve and brain support, and the extract stimulates the production of nerve growth factors, which affects the overall health of nerve cells. Lion’s Mane has many benefits, which include boosting the immune system, protecting the gut, and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
- Cordyceps. Whether you’re trying to become more active in bed or at the gym, Cordyceps can help with that. This mushroom increases ATP levels in the body, which powers our cells. The extract supports energy metabolism in the body, which boosts athletic endurance. This mushroom helps you find balance with stress, fights signs of aging, and stimulates a healthy libido.
We are not medical experts and advise you to please consult your doctor if you’re considering adding this supplement into your diet.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
