Functional mushrooms are all the rage. You might see them in trendy coffee shops, upscale supermarkets, and in a variety of supplements. They’re even added to everything from lattes and teas to smoothies and salads. But why all the fanfare for these fabulous fungi?
Mushrooms have gone mainstream primarily due to their immune-supportive properties, and each type of mushroom possesses a unique set of nutrients and bioactive compounds that bestow it with its own variety of health benefits.
It’s critically important to understand how mushrooms are grown in order to know 1) if they contain enough of the bioactive compounds associated with their health benefits and 2) to ensure they are pure and safe.
How Mushrooms Are Grown
In nature, mushrooms grow in a variety of places, like on dead logs lying on the forest floor. But these days, most mushrooms that we eat or use as supplements are cultivated. They’re often grown on grain-based substrates such as rye, rice, or sorghum, or on wood, which can enrich them with additional nutrients and active compounds. That means that, just like the vegetables we eat absorb nutrients from the soil in which they’re grown, the quality of the growth source has a significant impact on the nutrient potency of the fully grown mushroom.
The Mycelium—Fruiting Body Debate
Fungi are fascinating organisms that are neither plants nor animals. The vast majority of their “bodies” are underground in rootlike structures called mycelium. Beneath the forest floor lies a vast network of mushroom mycelia which plays a critical role in recycling nutrients for the entire ecosystem. What we call the “mushroom” is actually the fruiting body of the fungus — much like an apple or a banana is the fruit of a tree.
There’s an ongoing debate in the dietary supplement industry over which portion of the mushroom is the most valuable — the mycelium or the fruiting body. Some claim that the fruiting bodies contain most of the nutrients and active compounds, while others argue the opposite, that it’s the mycelium that has the greatest potency.
The truth lies somewhere in the middle. And the real answer is: both are valuable. Certain compounds are more concentrated and bioavailable in the mycelium, while others are more potent in the fruiting bodies. We currently use organic mycelium in our formula flagship formula Pure Synergy Superfood with the addition of a small amount of primordia (the “sprouts” of mushrooms). Immune Health™, on the other hand, contains an array of organic fruiting body extracts.
Although there are thousands of known types of mushrooms, only a handful have been given the distinction of being labeled “functional”, meaning they have proven health benefits beyond nutrition. Here’s a breakdown of a few of the top functional mushrooms in Immune Health, and what makes each one so special.
Reishi — “Mushroom of Immortality”
Reishi are kidney-shaped mushrooms that grow at the base of deciduous trees. They’re known as the “mushrooms of immortality” in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where reishi has been used to promote health and longevity for more than 2,000 years.
Used as a wellness jack-of-all-trades, they’re packed with:
- immune-supporting polysaccharides
- triterpenes that support an optimal immune defense
- amino acids, vitamins, and minerals
Because of their tough, woody texture and bitter taste, reishi are best taken as a concentrated extract powder, typically in supplement form. Immune Health contains both reishi fruiting body extract and reishi cracked cell spores — which are especially rich in triterpenoids, beta glucans, amino acids, and polysaccharides. That’s some serious immune supporting action.
Shiitake — The Fragrant Mushroom
A scrumptious culinary mushroom popular in east Asian cuisine, shiitake also has a long tradition as a functional mushroom. Its name comes from the Japanese shii tree (related to the oak) on which it’s often found growing.
These fortifying fungi are full of:
- glycoproteins that promote a healthy immune system
- B vitamins
- bioactive polysaccharides that foster healthy immune function and a robust defense and support metabolic balance
Turkey Tail
Named for their beautiful colors and wavy shapes, turkey tail is one of the most well-researched mushrooms in the world. This one should really be called a super mushroom for its spectacular immune benefits.
Turkey tail has unique compounds including:
- unique polysaccharides that help nourish immune cells and foster healthy renewal
- some of the highest amounts of beta glucans of all mushrooms – famously proven immune-supportive compounds
Maitake — Dancing Mushroom
Maitake literally means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. Legend has it that people danced for joy upon finding it in the wild (a mushroom is pretty special when it has its own mythology).
Like reishi, maitake mushrooms have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, but in the last 20 years they’ve also become popular in the west. Maitake have been shown to nourish overall immune health and to act as an adaptogen.
Some of the health supporting compounds it contains are:
- powerful antioxidants like flavonoids, phenols, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and beta-carotene
- vitamins B and C, minerals like copper and potassium, and amino acids
- immune-supportive beta glucans
Cordyceps – Quirky Symbiote
What we consider cordyceps mushrooms are actually the outgrowth of a stealthy fungus called Bionectria ochroleucha with an opportunistic bent. In the wild, high in the Himalayan mountains, this mutualistic pair grows in the mummified carcasses of caterpillar larvae (but don’t worry, though, ours have been cultivated on turmeric — no insects included!). Most importantly, cordyceps, like other fungi, has a strong immune fortifying quality.
Chaga – Ruddy Resilience
Chaga doesn’t resemble a typical mushroom. That’s because it isn’t one. It’s actually a fungus that grows on birch trees in cold, northern climates. Looking a lot like a dark clump of dirt coming out of the side of a tree, breaking it open reveals its vibrant orange interior.
Used traditionally for centuries in Russia, chaga has one of the highest antioxidant contents of any known food. It’s also extremely nutrient-rich, providing foundational support for health and optimal immune function.
You can experience this masterful symphony of mushroom synergy in Immune Health. Our mushrooms are all certified organic and grown using our exclusive, innovative methods that elevate these already beneficial, immune-supporting fungi to a whole new level of greatness. We have zero tolerance for chemical processing, toxic solvents, GMOs, or questionable additives. So, you can trust in their purity and potency to keep you well year-round.
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