The best mushroom supplements are produced by brands that use only high-quality organic mushrooms, advanced extraction methods, and rigorous third-party testing. We will count down five top mushroom supplements so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
For millennia, cultures have revered mushrooms and other fungi for their health properties. Mushrooms contain an array of bioactive compounds which can help support immune, neurological, and adrenal health. Furthermore, mushrooms contain antioxidants such as ergothioneine and selenium, which help to protect the body against stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
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What separates top mushroom supplements from the rest?
What you may commonly think of as a mushroom includes four elements: the fruiting body, sclerotium, mycelium, and spores. The mycelium is a web-like root system that absorbs everything the soil will offer, then filters out the nutrients, sending them up to the fruiting body. As part of the early stage of a mushroom, mycelium is plentiful and mostly easy to find.
For many online mushroom supplement retailers, using mycelium is a way to claim that products contain mushrooms without incurring the expensive cost of the actual fruiting body. According to Jeff Chilton, an expert in the supplementary mushroom field, mycelium producers “want to be able to use the term ‘mushroom’ to confuse consumers on what is really in their products.” Furthermore, many reputed mushroom supplements on the U.S. market are high in fillers and additives, which reduce their efficacy.
Top mushroom supplements:
#5 Peak Performance
Peak Performance offers mushroom supplements that are USA grown and “naturally cultivated.” Their products are non-GMO and include both the mycelium and the fruiting body. While Peak Performance does not offer a mushroom complex, they individually sell Turkey Tail, Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane supplements. Each of these mushroom supplements begins pricing at around $0.41/day.
Top mushroom supplements:
#4 Freshcap Ultimate mushroom complex
Freshcap offers a mushroom supplement filled with “organic ingredients.” While Freshcap’s ingredient sourcing is unclear, their Ultimate Mushroom Complex contains fruiting body extracts of cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, maitake, Turkey Tail, and Reishi. However, rather than the fruiting body, this product contains the Chaga sclerotium, which often has a high concentration of the bioactive compounds found elsewhere in the mushroom. This concentration can result in headaches and digestive issues, especially if you take more than the recommended dose. Freshcap’s complex costs around $0.67/day.
Top mushroom supplements:
#3 Future Kind Clarity mushrooms
Future Kind brings you mushroom supplements for an array of ailments. Clarity Mushrooms, one of their top-rated products, claims to enhance mental clarity and brain function. It contains the fruiting body extracts of Chaga, maitake, shiitake, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane extract. Overall, this is a great brand, lacking most in customer service. Future Kind’s complex costs around $0.67/day.
Top mushroom supplements:
#2 Mushroom Revival
Mushroom Revival offers Daily 10 Mix, a mushroom supplement filled with USDA-certified organic ingredients that have been third-party tested for quality. While offered at a slightly higher price point (about $0.93/day), Mushroom Revival products contain all fruiting bodies with no mycelium grain, making them safer for those with celiac disease or who may be more sensitive to gluten.
Top mushroom supplements:
#1 Real Mushrooms
Real Mushrooms offers top mushroom supplements from naturally and certified organic grown mushrooms in China, the “birthplace of mushroom cultivation.” Their mushroom complex, 5 Defenders, contains extracts of Reishi, shiitake, maitake, Turkey Tail, and Chaga with no mycelium or grain. Real Mushrooms’ 5 Defenders costs around $0.78/day. The overall quality and inclusion of the mushroom (fruiting body) as well as guaranteed beta-glucans in this supplement make it worth the slightly higher cost than some of its competitors.
According to cofounder Jeff Chilton, Real Mushrooms is a “supplement company that seeks to break the mold by offering top-quality mushroom supplements made from the nutrient-dense mushrooms (fruiting bodies) without grain fillers or carriers.” Sourcing, quality, and ethics make Real Mushrooms one of the top mushroom supplements. Furthermore, Real Mushrooms works with healthcare providers to get their products prescribed to the patients who need them most.
As an expert in the mushroom field, Jeff Chilton argues the importance of mushrooms (fruiting bodies) in overall health. As people become more aware of health issues and preventative medicine, Chilton strives to educate consumers on the difference between a “good” mushroom supplement and a mediocre one.
The top mushroom supplements on the market
As the market floods with mushroom supplements, you must know which ingredients will support your health goals. The right mushroom supplement can be beneficial but should not substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Conduct research, speak with your healthcare provider, and think critically about any company making cure-all claims. Hopefully, now you know which mushroom supplement best suits your needs.
Further reading:
Brigham Young University, Megan Frost: Three Popular Medicinal Mushroom Supplements: A Review of Human Clinical Trials
Herbalgram, American Botanical Council, Jeff Chilton: Commercial Labeling of Medicinal Mushroom Products
National Library of Medicine, Dig-Tao Wu et. al: Evaluation on Quality Consistency of Genoderma Lucidum Dietary Supplements Collected in the United States
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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