Mushrooms have been used in eastern medicine for thousand of years and have gained even more popularity recently. You can get them as powder, which can be added to cooking and hot drinks, or as a powder in capsules, where they are simply mixed with water. The list of mushroom health benefits is long. Each mushroom is unique and offers its own health benefits. With that said it is important to remember that these mushrooms are not a cure. In fact, mushroom studies are still very new in the west, and solid evidence for humans still need a lot more research. So instead of thinking about them as a cure, think of them as sidekicks to your immune system.
Mushrooms are the nature´s strongest substances that create balance in the body and mind. They have a calming and energy-boosting effect on the body. They furthermore help the body deal with stress and physical and mental overexertion by strengthening the immune system. The two main bioactive compounds in medical mushrooms, which have health-promoting properties are polysaccharides and triterpenes. These compounds can only be absorbed into the body if they are extracted from the mushrooms with hot water or alcohol. Most selling products have undergone this extraction process and therefore have a high level of bioavailability and health effects.
So, all in all mushrooms are natural nutritional supplements that help to increase energy and improve your brain to function better. In general, they help to:
- Increase metabolism by boosting the mitochondrion, which generates energy by converting carbohydrates, fat, and protein into energy. With age, lifestyle and toxins, the mitochondria work worse and need a helping hand.
- Remove brain fog by improving brain functions, increasing focus during the day, and providing better short-term and long-term memory.
- Increase physical energy to be more persistent and active for longer.
I will now review the four most well-known mushrooms for you and tell you what makes each of them so amazing.
Reishi
Reishi is nature´s sedative, as they grow wild in nature on the tree trunks in the forest. During the harvest season, the mushrooms are hand-picked. All the active ingredients are then extracted by a double extraction process. The mushroom extract is rich in ergosterols and triterpenes. This mushroom is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms. As seen in some studies, the Reishi mushrooms helps with weight loss, it keeps the immune system in check and may also even fight certain cancer cells according to Healthline. The Reishi mushroom is a diamond in the rough, and I hope that the EU´s research results is being able to reveal some of the positive effects that this mushroom can have, so that this knowledge can be shared.
Chaga
Chaga mushrooms are an antioxidant powerhouse, making them excellent competitors in fighting free radicals and inflammations. The chaga mushroom which is a dark black mushroom fights oxidative stress, can prevent or slow growth of cancer, and has shown to lower lipoprotein which is categorized as the bad cholesterol. Most research on chaga has been done on human cells and mice, and the results point to this mushroom as being good for both your outside and your inside. Chage mushrooms also help increase the concentration of a molecule called AMPK, which is a critical part of the energy pathways in the body. Finally, Chaga has been shown to be protective against Alzheimer´s disease and neurodegeneration by upregulating the Nrf2 pathway which is one of the most important anti-inflammatory pathways in our body.
Lion´s mane
Lion´s mane is for people who wants mental clarity. This mushroom is packed with antioxidants and boosts the immune system like most medicinal mushrooms. But Lion´s mane is special because it promotes the production of the bioprotein nerve growth factor NFG and myelin which is an insulation around the nerve fibers, and both are essential for brain health.
This mushroom supplement would be a good choice if you are physically active, as this mushroom not only gives you energy and motivation, but it can also help reduce the level of lactic acid in the blood so that your muscles don´t get as tired.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is know for being very stimulation for both energy and libido. Cordyceps can help the body use oxygen more efficiently and therefore improve blood flow. This can be especially useful for athletes or those who exercise regularly. This mushroom do not only improve exercise and athletic performance, but it also speed muscle recovery after exercise. In addition, the mushroom has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. For example, it can relive the symptoms of colds, respiratory infections and even cystitis. But please note, that since cordyceps is considered a natural energy stimulant, it is not recommended to take this mushroom supplement late at night, as it can keep you awake.