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How 1 fungus protects your liver
Learn how to choose the best
Kos Zharoid
February 26, 2025
“Mushrooms are proof that nature loves surprises” - Jean-Henri Fabre.
Wellness mushrooms are a health game-changer. Unless you're actually taking a ‘mushroom-flavored grain bowl’ in capsule form. Don’t fall for the marketing tricks - here’s what to look for.
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The eternal question: from what age? Most manufacturers write 18+ because it's very difficult to standardize mushroom products for children. Therefore, this is your zone of responsibility! We take them, especially in complex preparations, and the results are excellent.
To be fair, AHCC is a cultivated extract of shiitake mushroom mycelium (Lentinula edodes).
AHCC is one of the world's most studied immune supplements, supported by many clinical trials in humans and numerous articles published in PubMed-indexed journals. The supplement has anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties. AHCC shows the most pronounced effect when used in a comprehensive approach to treating cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, and other liver conditions, as well as HPV, cardiovascular diseases, flu, and colds, and during recovery and rehabilitation periods.
AHCC reduces chemotherapy side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and liver damage.
However! It's better to take it with beta-glucans; the manufacturer and raw materials must be of high quality; otherwise, it will just be starch.
What is it for?
Mushrooms have many applications, from supporting immunity to fighting carcinogens.
In general, they provide:
Immune system support
Support for healthy inflammation response
Help in balancing blood sugar levels
Brain health support
Nervous system support
Increased energy and endurance
The most beneficial mushrooms include:
Lion's Mane
Reishi
Cordyceps
Chaga
Turkey Tail
Shiitake
Maitake
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What’s important when choosing mushrooms?
Because many different products hide behind the mushroom label, it's important to know which parts of the mushroom are included: the mycelium or fruiting body.
It's important to understand that just as a mushroom is not mycelium, mycelium is also not a mushroom. These terms are not synonyms and should be clearly differentiated.
Beta-glucans are the key medicinal compound in mushrooms. They are abundant in the fruiting body but less so in the mycelium.
Current research shows that the most important health benefit of beta-glucans is immune system modulation.
What’s wrong with mycelium?
Mycelium is typically grown on a solid substrate, which becomes part of the final product. Most commercial producers grow mycelium on grains like rice, oats, or sorghum. Therefore, all this grain becomes inseparable from the mycelium and remains in the final product, leading to high starch content.
Products made from mycelium contain more alpha-glucans rather than beta-glucans.
The packaging usually states: AHCC, or mushroom mycelium, or purple corn biomass powder, etc.
Name | Beta-glucans | Alpha-glucans |
|---|---|---|
Cordyceps militaris mushroom | 34.36% | 1.65% |
Cordyceps Cs-4 (pure mycelium) | 7.58% | 1.61% |
Cordyceps mycelium, grown on grain | 1.5% | 64% |
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How to choose? What should be on the label?
Look at the Supplement Facts.
Choose products mainly containing mushroom fruiting body rather than mycelium, myceliated grain, or myceliated biomass.
Avoid buying products that do not provide specific information about the mushroom plant's part (whether it's mushrooms or mycelium).
Look for extract, as extraction breaks down the fungal cell wall and improves bioavailability.
Look for mushroom extracts, as extraction breaks down the fungal cell wall and improves bioavailability.
Look for brands that indicate beta-glucan content on the Supplement Facts panel.
Don't be fooled by any polysaccharide numbers, as polysaccharides also measure starch.
Examples of supplements:
Real Mushrooms.
We recommend paying attention to this brand first!
5 Defenders is a complex of 5 types of mushrooms, but there are also single varieties. It is also available as powder, capsules, and even chocolate and coconut cream with mushrooms!
Mushroom Immune.
Contains mushrooms (fruiting body) of shiitake, maitake, and Chaga, plus a patented beta-glucan, which also helps maintain a healthy and balanced immune response. It's a good budget option.
Mushroom complexes from Gaia Herbs.
It is also a good option because it contains fruiting body extract. The complexes are presented in combinations of different types of mushrooms and beta-glucans.
Innate Immune Support from Pure.
This is a complex preparation for immune support. Contains Reishi, andrographis, and astragalus.
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