What are “mushroom supplements”?
Mushroom supplements are available in powder, liquid and capsule form. Our mushroom supplements are available in capsule form. They are extracts of specific mushrooms that contain a high concentration of certain types of polysaccharides - beta-glucans.
Mushrooms also contain minerals, folate, niacin, and vitamins B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E. Mushrooms are one of the few natural sources of vitamin D. All mushroom supplements contain beta-glucans. They all have an enzyme called aromatase and also contain a lectin compound.
What is the difference between powders and extracts?
Powder: Powders can consist of just the fruiting body of the mushroom cut off at the base or the entire mushroom stripped of its substrate (although with certain mushroom species that have small fruiting bodies, the entire substrate may be included). All ingredients of the mushroom, as well as the fibers of the mushroom, remain relatively unchanged, as the drying process takes place at moderate temperatures (below 40°C). Because more components of the mushroom survive in this processing, the powders have a broader spectrum of activity which is not as useful when taken to achieve a specific effect. However, they do retain almost all of their nutrients – this makes powders more useful for people who want to ingest mushrooms for nutritional reasons, such as vegans who want a good source of protein and B vitamins in their diet. However, caution should be exercised when consuming powders of certain mushrooms, as the drying process may leave higher levels of certain toxins that would not be harmful in low doses, but may become harmful or potentially accumulating in larger amounts. However, this only applies to a few subgroups of mushrooms, usually the rarer and the more expensive, such as the Cordyceps Sinensis (not to be confused with the fully edible Cordyceps Militaris) and powders made from more common and edible varieties, but that should not be a cause for concern are.
Extract: The main appeal and benefits of extracts are two, namely: better control over which elements remain in the final product and very high yields of Beta-Glucans. Beta-Glucans can be up to 15 times more concentrated, depending on the mushroom species, in extracts compared to powders. This is due to the prolonged heating of extracts, which, depending on the heating method and the mushroom, elutes certain substances (particularly beta-glucans) from the cellular matrix, making them much more readily available and absorbable through digestion. Although specific ingredients (including many vitamins and minerals) are lost through this varied processing procedure, the main goal is for others, such as fungal polysaccharides, to become highly concentrated instead, along with any other constituents of the mushroom that may have potential benefits. This also means that extracts are usually dosed lower than powders because their elements are so highly concentrated by comparison. Extracts can also be safer to take (as long as the extract is done properly, so make sure the extracts you take are from a reputable/trustworthy source) than powders, as many cytotoxic compounds, along with other mild toxins that certain mushrooms can usually be eliminated and/or destroyed during processing.
Another important reason you may prefer an extract over a powder is that extracts contain fewer impurities, which is important if you choose to take mushroom supplements for a particular effect, adaptogenic or not.
In general, extracts are better than powders when it comes to taking mushroom supplements for certain desired effects because powders often contain too little of the compound readily available for your metabolism to absorb easily. This is especially true if you want to take mushroom supplements for the express purpose of getting as much fungal beta-glucans as possible. Powders are best used if you follow a mainly plant-based diet, as they add nutrients that are harder to get from other fruits and vegetables. Of course, you can get the benefits of both by taking supplements that contain both a blend of extracts and powders, which is actually something done by a large number of manufacturers.
Extracts also contain many new antioxidants compared to powders, which help counteract the negative effects of oxidative stress (the main cause of increasing cell aging).
What are “beta-glucans”?
Beta-glucans are complex sugars (polysaccharides) found in the cell walls of various unicellular and multicellular organisms, such as fungi, yeasts, algae and cereal grains. Although beta-glucans are found in all of these sources, their physicochemical properties vary widely depending on the source. Normally, beta-glucans, such as those found in grains, help lower cholesterol by binding to them in the digestive tract. However, beta-glucans found in fungi cause a different effect when ingested due to the aberrant short branching structure in chemistry. They are insoluble in water, unlike the kind obtained from grains, and are therefore mostly metabolized by the body. This is an important difference, as there is some evidence that when metabolized by the body, they boost the immune system by increasing the reaction time of macrophages and their alertness.
Beta-glucans themselves do not fight disease. Instead, these compounds are able to stimulate or activate the other cells responsible for immunity.
When beta-glucans enter the body, they mimic an invader and are taken in hand by "macrophages", innate immune cells that swallow the beta-glucans and carry them to the lymph nodes. There they are broken down into smaller pieces. The fragments are then released and bind to “natural killer cells” (and other immune cells), essentially “preparing” them to reach and respond to pathogens much more quickly.
A kind of Trojan Horse, but good for you!
If you want to maximize the amount of beta-glucans you take in, then you definitely want an extract. As previously described, extracts contain up to 15 times more beta-glucans than powders and are much more absorbable because they are no longer bound to the rest of the mushroom.
Are there any contraindications I should be aware of when taking mushroom supplements?
The following mushrooms may have some contraindications:
Ganoderma Lucidum – Reishi:
Medicines for high blood pressure (Antihypertensives) interact with the REISHI MUSHROOM.
The Reishi mushroom can lower blood pressure. Taking reishi mushroom along with blood pressure lowering drugs can cause blood pressure to drop too low. So keep a close eye on your blood pressure.
Drugs that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulants/Antiplatelet drugs) interact with the REISHI MUSHROOM
The reishi mushroom can slow blood clotting. Taking reishi mushrooms along with drugs that also slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Medicines for diabetes (antidiabetes drugs) interact with REISHI MUSHROOM
The reishi mushroom can lower blood sugar levels. Taking the reishi mushroom along with diabetes medications can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. So keep a close eye on your blood sugar.
chaga
Drugs for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHAGA
Chaga can lower blood sugar levels. Taking chaga along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. Therefore, keep a close eye on your blood sugar.
Drugs that reduce the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interact with CHAGA
Chaga can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, reduce the activity of the immune system. Taking chaga along with these drugs might decrease the effects of these drugs.
Medicines that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs) interact with CHAGA
Chaga can slow blood clotting. Taking chaga along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.
Maitake
Drugs for Diabetes (Antidiabetes Drugs) Interaction Rating: Moderate. Be careful with this combination. Consult with your healthcare provider.
The Maitake mushroom can lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking maitake mushrooms along with diabetes medications can cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Keep a close eye on your blood sugar. It may be necessary to adjust the dose of your diabetes medicines.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
High Blood Pressure Drugs (Antihypertensive Drugs) Interaction Rating: Moderate. Be careful with this combination. Consult with your healthcare provider.
The Maitake mushroom can lower blood pressure in some people. Taking maitake mushroom along with high blood pressure medications can cause your blood pressure to drop too low. So keep a close eye on your blood pressure.
Some high blood pressure medications include nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and others.
Warfarin (Coumadin)Interaction Rating: Moderate. Be careful with this combination. Consult with your healthcare provider.
The Maitake mushroom may enhance the blood-thinning effects of warfarin (Coumadin) and may increase the risk of bleeding. Your healthcare provider may need to check your blood more often if you take maitake mushroom along with warfarin (Coumadin). You may need to change the dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) medication.
Shiitake
Drugs that lower the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interact with the SHIITAKE MUSHROOM
The Shiitake mushroom can increase the activity of the immune system. Some drugs, such as those used after a transplant, lower the activity of the immune system. Taking shiitake mushrooms with these drugs may decrease the effectiveness of these drugs.
Agaricus Blazei
Drugs for diabetes (antidiabetes drugs) interact with the AGARICUS MUSHROOM.
The Agaricus mushroom may lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes medications also lower blood sugar. Taking agaricus mushrooms along with diabetes medications can make your blood sugar fall too low. Therefore, keep a close eye on your blood sugar. It may be necessary to adjust the dose of your diabetes medicines.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Lion's mane
Drugs for diabetes (antidiabetes drugs) interact with lion's manto mushroom
The Lion's mane mushroom can lower blood sugar levels. Taking lion pantam along with diabetes medications might make blood sugar levels too low. Therefore, keep a close eye on your blood sugar.
Medicines that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulants/Antiplatelet drugs) may interact with lion's pantamus
The Lion's mane mushroom can slow blood clotting. Taking lion palm mushrooms along with medications that also slow blood clotting may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.
Are there any side effects?
There are a few side effects to consider when taking mushroom supplements, but they are uncommon and the health benefits of these supplements far outweigh the side effects. These side effects have only occurred with long-term use of high doses. They disappear when supplementation is stopped.
The most common (but rare) side effects are:
Nausea
Itchy hands and feet
Tinted Fingernails
Skin rash
Diarrhea
Digestive problems (when ingested) <gram)
Can I take too much?
Yes, that's possible. It is advisable to ask your therapist or contact us for advice on the correct dosage.
What is the best way to take them?
The supplements are best taken first thing in the morning 30 minutes before eating. If this is not possible, it is also fine to spread them out throughout the day. They are best absorbed on an empty stomach, but if this causes gastrointestinal problems, the supplements can be taken with some food.
Can children take them?
Children who are able to swallow capsules can also take our supplements. For younger children, under 5 years old, the capsules must be opened and they can be mixed with the applesauce, for example. For children under the age of 5, please contact us for advice on the correct dosage.
Why is it recommended to take Rockstar at the same time as the other supplements?
Rockstar contains mushroom extracts that help the body to more easily recognize and use the components of other mushrooms. This increases the effectiveness of the other supplements.
Can I take more than 1 type of mushroom supplement?
Yes, you can. We often recommend more than 1 type of mushroom combination.
What should I do if I can't take capsules?
You can break open the capsules and sprinkle the contents in, for example, applesauce.