Mushroom supplements are the new trend in the health and lifestyle industry. And why not? The many benefits of mushrooms (listed below) were long overdue to be noticed. And since you are here, I assume you have been longing to know how these supplements are helpful to your body.
To answer that question, my friend, I advise you to go through this think-piece that’ll help you understand how mushroom supplements benefit you, and the exact ingredients you should be looking for.
What are mushroom supplements?
Mushroom supplements are exactly what you are reading them to be. They are made from various sources of fungi and are supposed to benefit your health. These benefits include:
- Increased energy
- Improved muscle recovery
- Heart health
- Anti-diabetic
- Anti-parasitic
- Hepatoprotective
- Immunomodulating
Some manufacturers also claim certain mushroom supplements help in curing tumour growth in the body, although it still doesn’t have any solid medical evidence.
Another benefit that mushroom supplements have is building a good immune system. Let’s see how!
How do they help in increasing the immune system?
Helping to build immunity is one of the greatest powers of medicinal mushrooms. All medicinal mushrooms have a powerful polysaccharide called beta-glucans that have been found to reduce inflammation and balance the immune system.
Many mushroom supplement companies these days also include a blend of all the mushrooms together to create a powerful supplement for the body. You can sure check them out but if you are a beginner, it is advisable to start with a single fungi supplement and see how it affects you.
6 best mushrooms for improving your immune system
1. Reishi
This “mushroom of immortality” is also known as the “elixir of life”. And for all the right reasons. It contains many powerful bioactive compounds including beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes.
This two help in developing the body’s defence against bacteria and viruses by heightening the body’s immune response. If you are looking for a safe supplement, to begin with, this is the one you should go for.
2. Chaga
Another one on this list is Chaga which is often denoted as the “king of mushrooms”. This mushroom is known to have some of the highest levels of antioxidants and nutrients such as amino acids, vitamin B, and minerals which help to develop the immune system effectively.
3. Turkey tail
This mushroom is a power pack of flavonoids and more than 35 phenols, which are basically helpful in building a strong immune system by reducing inflammation.
This mushroom also helps in maintaining a good digestive system, which means you won’t ever have to face trouble with your gut.
4. Lion’s mane
Lion’s mane is a white, fur-like mushroom that brings many important polysaccharides such as glucans, pre-biotic fibres, and digestive enzymes to the table. These nutrients keep your gut health stronger and also help in building the immune system
Research also suggests that this mushroom also helps in reducing colon tissue damage in cases of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), however, more clinical trials are waiting to confirm this is a more truthful manner.
5. Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms are delicious culinary mushrooms that are filled with macronutrients, vitamin B, and minerals that help in providing immune support to the body. Originally, this was used to treat common diseases like a cold. But after a few types of research, it has been seen that shiitake has shown immense response towards gut immunity and anti-inflammation.
6. Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a rare caterpillar fungus that grows in high-altitude regions like Sikkim, a state in northeast India. they are known as adaptogenic mushrooms which help the body to manage stress and react when the said is attacked by any bacteria. It also supports vitality, endurance, and stamina in the body.
The polysaccharides, cordycepin, and cordycepin acid content help to maintain gut health which eventually has a positive impact on your immune system regulation.
7. Maitake
Maitake contains beta-glucans and powerful bio-active compounds, and it is known for being an adaptogen. This means, it also helps the body to relieve stress and build natural immunity.
8. Oysters
Oyster mushrooms are a genus of fungi that include several species. It has been found that the polysaccharide content in oyster mushrooms may activate NK cells against breast and lung cancer cells. Other active components such as phenolics, flavonoids were also shown to have signs of anti-inflammation on the animal body.
Over to you…
These were some benefits that mushroom supplements have to offer to you. But if you’ll be consuming it on a daily basis, it’s best to consult a doctor before buying the supplements. suppl
