The Potential Benefits and Safety of Mushroom Extract Supplements

An Overview of Mushroom Extract Supplements

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to promote health and longevity. In recent years, extracts from medicinal mushrooms have become increasingly popular in supplement form. Mushroom extracts contain a high concentration of polysaccharides, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds from the mushroom fruit bodies and mycelium. When consumed as supplements, these extracts may provide a variety of health benefits.

Mushroom extract supplements are available in liquid tincture, powder, and capsule form. The most common medicinal mushrooms used in supplements include reishi, chaga, cordyceps, lion's mane, shiitake, maitake, and turkey tail. Many mushroom extract supplements feature a single species, while others contain a combination of mushroom extracts for synergistic effects.

Potential Benefits of Mushroom Extract Supplements

Here are some of the evidence-based health benefits associated with medicinal mushroom supplements:

May Support Immune Function

Compounds like polysaccharides, terpenoids, and lectins in medicinal mushrooms have been shown to modulate components of the immune system. Human and animal studies indicate that some mushroom extracts may enhance immune cell activity and help defend against pathogens and foreign particles.

Contains Antioxidants

Mushrooms contain a high concentration of antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. The antioxidants in mushroom extracts, including polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and selenium, may reduce inflammation and cellular damage related to chronic diseases.

Anti-Cancer Potential

Research has uncovered anti-cancer properties in extracts from mushrooms like turkey tail, reishi, and chaga. The specific ways that mushroom components suppress tumor growth are still being investigated. But compounds in certain mushrooms demonstrate cytotoxic effects on cancer cells and may also enhance the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments.

Supports Heart Health

Some compounds in mushroom extracts help reduce high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and circulatory issues. Human studies link medicinal mushroom consumption with lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Mushroom extracts may also prevent platelet aggregation and atherosclerosis while promoting healthy blood flow.

Helps Control Blood Sugar

Adding mushroom extract supplements to one's diet may aid in regulating blood sugar levels. Mushrooms contain compounds that inhibit enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Animal and human trials show improved insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glucose and HbA1c counts in diabetic subjects who took reishi, chaga, cordyceps, and other mushroom extract supplements.

Bioavailability of Mushroom Extracts

To obtain the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, the bioactive compounds need to be effectively absorbed and utilized by the body. Dual extraction techniques that use both hot water and alcohol extraction generally yield mushroom supplements with better bioavailability. Nanotechnology applied during manufacturing can also enhance the bioavailability of mushroom extracts.

The bioactive polysaccharides in mushroom extracts are large molecules that don't readily pass through the intestinal wall. Using enzymes like beta-glucanase helps break down indigestible beta-glucans into smaller components for better absorption. Pairing mushroom extracts with vitamin C has also been shown to increase the bioavailability of ergothioneine and other mushroom antioxidants.

Popular Types of Mushroom Extract Supplements

Chaga

Derived from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus, chaga grows mainly on birch trees in cold climates. It has an extensive history of use in Siberia and parts of Russia to boost immunity and overall vitality. Chaga extract contains a combination of polysaccharides, melanin, and triterpenes. These compounds give it significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer abilities. Chaga may also help normalize blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a rare mushroom that grows on the larvae of insects. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used cordyceps for kidney and lung support since ancient times. The main bioactives in cordyceps are nucleoside derivatives, polysaccharides, and cyclosporines. Scientific research shows that cordyceps extract helps increase cellular energy by boosting ATP levels. It also demonstrates anti-aging effects by stimulating autophagy. There is some evidence it may improve exercise performance and endurance.

Lion's Mane

Also known as Hericium erinaceus, lion’s mane is a distinctive mushroom with long, flowy spines reminiscent of a lion’s mane. It has long been used in parts of Asia for its neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing abilities. Lion’s mane extract contains bioactive compounds like hericenones and amyloban that stimulate the growth of brain cells and nerves. Consuming lion’s mane may help with memory, focus, and mild cognitive impairment according to human research studies.

Maitake

Maitake mushrooms, or Grifola frondosa, grow in clusters at the base of trees and have an impressive nutritional profile. Traditionally called the “dancing mushroom”, modern research on maitake shows it has anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and immune-enhancing properties. A combination of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and plant sterols give maitake the ability to lower blood glucose levels, block tumor growth, and activate various immune system components like T-cells.

Reishi

Used for promoting longevity and health for over 2,000 years, reishi mushrooms are one of the most well-researched mycomedicinals. The key medicinal constituents in reishi like polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and peptidoglycans account for its adaptogenic, immunomodulating, and anti-inflammatory activity. Regularly taking reishi supplements may benefit the lungs, liver, heart, and immune system. Reishi is also one of the most popular mushrooms for cancer support in integrative oncology care plans.

Shiitake

As one of the most consumed edible mushrooms worldwide, shiitake mushrooms also provide medicinal benefits when taken as a supplement. Shiitake contains all eight essential amino acids along with important plant-based compounds like coumarin and polysaccharides. Research shows shiitake has antibacterial, immune-regulating, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-cancer effects. It also appears to support gut health and is linked with weight loss in some studies.

Turkey Tail

Turkey tail mushrooms, known scientifically as Trametes versicolor, grow on decaying logs in woodland habitats globally. Traditional and folk medicine systems used turkey tail to treat infections and boost immunity long before modern clinical research. Today, scientific analysis attributes its medicinal power to two polysaccharides called PSK and PSP. The anti-tumor properties of turkey tail are perhaps its most promising and well-studied benefit.

Mushroom Extract Supplement Formulations

Mushroom supplements are sold in various forms including:

• Powders - Ground, dried mushroom fruit bodies
• Capsules - Powdered extracts in gelatin or vegetable capsules
• Liquid tinctures - Mushroom compounds extracted into alcohol or glycerine
• Tablets - Pressed powdered extracts
• Teas - Dried, powdered mushrooms for hot water extraction

Certain product formulations may be better suited for specific uses. For example, liquid tinctures provide faster absorption for acute conditions. But capsules offer more precise dosing convenience for daily supplementation. Powdered mushrooms can be added to foods or blended into beverages as well.

Are Mushroom Supplements Safe?

For most healthy individuals, mushroom extract supplements are considered very safe when used appropriately. However, some people should exercise caution or avoid certain mushroom supplements.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking any mushroom extracts. Reishi, cordyceps, chaga, and other medicinal mushrooms appear to be safe based on traditional use during pregnancy. But their effects have not been extensively studied in pregnant women.

Mushroom extracts may interact with immunosuppressant medications, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and medications processed by the liver. People taking any prescription medications should talk with a doctor before starting to take mushroom supplements.

Turkey tail, reishi, and mait

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.