From Ancient Traditions to Modern Superfood: The Rise of Mushroom Blends

Incorporating an organic mushroom blend into your wellness routine can provide a diverse array of bioactive compounds, each contributing uniquely to overall health. 

For example, many medicinal mushrooms, including shiitake and maitake, are widely used in cooking due to their umami-rich flavors and versatility in various dishes. They provide an additional source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients that can complement a balanced diet. 

Their deep, earthy flavors make them a sought-after ingredient in both traditional and modern cuisine.

Additionally, medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal practices, as well as in Indigenous and Eastern European folk traditions. Red reishi, for example, has a long history of use in East Asia, often regarded as a symbol of well-being and longevity. 

These mushrooms continue to hold cultural significance in various global traditions.

Mushrooms like chaga, turkey tail, and cordyceps contain a variety of naturally occurring compounds such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, and polyphenols. These compounds contribute to the unique properties of each mushroom, making them a popular choice for those interested in botanical ingredients. The complexity of their natural composition has attracted ongoing interest from researchers and food enthusiasts alike.

The popularity of functional foods and beverages has led to an increased presence of medicinal mushrooms in coffee, tea, and powdered blends. 

Lion’s mane and chaga, for instance, are often infused into drinks as an alternative to traditional caffeinated options. 

Incorporating medicinal mushrooms into your wellness routine introduces a variety of bioactive compounds that have been the subject of scientific research. Mushrooms such as reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), and lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) have been studied for their unique properties. 

The options for using medicinal mushrooms are almost endless.

And with a high quality blend like Lean Factor’s Super 7 Mushrooms make enjoying these incredible superfoods even easier!

Here are five scientifically studied reasons why people consume medicinal mushrooms, focusing on their bioactive compounds and scientifically valid health-related properties:

1. Rich in Beta-Glucans and Polysaccharides

Medicinal mushrooms like turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake are known for their high content of beta-glucans, a type of polysaccharide found in fungi. Beta-glucans have been extensively studied for their interactions with the body's immune-modulating systems, making them a common subject of scientific research. Their presence in mushrooms contributes to their popularity in functional foods and supplements.

2. Source of Bioactive Compounds with Adaptogenic Properties

Certain mushrooms, such as reishi and cordyceps, contain triterpenes and other bioactive compounds that have been explored for their adaptogenic properties, which relate to the body's ability to respond to external stressors. Studies suggest that these compounds may interact with physiological pathways involved in stress regulation, leading to ongoing interest in their potential applications. The adaptogenic classification has made these mushrooms widely sought after in traditional and modern wellness communities.

3. Natural Nutrient Content

Mushrooms like chaga and reishi contain polyphenols, flavonoids, and melanin, which have been studied for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a key role in neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can contribute to oxidative processes in the body. Due to these properties, medicinal mushrooms have gained popularity among those interested in dietary sources of antioxidants.

4. Prebiotic and Gut Health Research

Polysaccharides and fiber components in medicinal mushrooms, such as lion’s mane and shiitake, have been investigated for their role in supporting gut microbiota. Certain prebiotic compounds in mushrooms may contribute to the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, a topic of increasing research in the field of microbiome science. This has led to the incorporation of these mushrooms into dietary approaches focused on digestive well-being.

5. Compounds Studied for Cognitive and Neurological Support

Lion’s mane mushrooms contain hericenones and erinacines, which have been researched for their potential to support nerve growth factor (NGF) production. NGF is a protein involved in the maintenance of neurons and has been a focus of neurological research. Due to these properties, lion’s mane is widely included in cognitive support supplements and nootropic formulations.

For those interested in exploring these mushrooms further, products like Lean Factor's Mushroom Blend offer a convenient way to incorporate a variety of these mushrooms into your daily routine.

Here’s a brief summary of the powerful mushrooms in Lean Factor’s Super 7 Mushroom blend

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus):

Lion's mane mushrooms have been studied for their potential effects on neurological health. A review in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience explores the influence of compounds found in lion's mane on cognitive functions. Lion's mane mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that are beneficial for brain health, including triterpenes and polysaccharides. Triterpenes help control inflammation and combat free radicals, while polysaccharides nourish and protect neurons. Some research suggests that these compounds may stimulate the growth of new brain cells and improve memory, focus, and concentration.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis):

Cordyceps mushrooms are known for their adaptogenic properties, which may help the body manage stress and support energy levels. They have been traditionally used to enhance physical performance and vitality.

Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum):

Reishi mushrooms contain triterpenoids and polysaccharides, compounds that have been investigated for their potential effects on the immune system. A review in Biomedicines discusses the role of these compounds in various biological activities. 

Reishi mushrooms have been studied for their potential to support immune function and overall health. They contain compounds that may help modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa):

Maitake mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans, which have been studied for their potential to support immune health. They have been traditionally used in various cultures for their health-promoting properties.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes):

Shiitake mushrooms are a source of lentinan, a type of beta-glucan that has been studied for its potential to support immune function. They also provide essential amino acids and are commonly used in culinary applications.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus):

Chaga mushrooms are known for their high antioxidant content, which may help protect cells from oxidative stress. They have been traditionally used to support overall health and vitality.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor):

Turkey tail mushrooms are notable for polysaccharide-K (PSK), a protein-bound polysaccharide. Research published in Biomedicines examines PSK's role in biological processes. 

Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharopeptides, such as PSK and PSP, which have been studied for their potential to support immune health. They have been traditionally used in various cultures for their health-promoting properties.

For more information about our Mushroom Blend, go here:

Super 7 Organic Mushroom

References:

• Habtemariam, S. (2020). Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and Efficacy. Biomedicines, 8(5), 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8050135

• Venturella, G., Ferraro, V., Cirlincione, F., & Gargano, M. L. (2021). Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(2), 634. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22020634

• Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. North Atlantic Books, 2020.

• Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Ten Speed Press, 2005.

• Wasser, Solomon P. "Medicinal Mushrooms in Human Clinical Studies: Their Place in Modern Medicine." International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 19, no. 2 (2017): 93-134.

• Chang, Shu-Ting, and Philip G. Miles. Mushrooms: Cultivation, Nutritional Value, Medicinal Effect, and Environmental Impact. CRC Press, 2004.

• Halpern, Georges M., and Andrew Weil. Healing Mushrooms: A Practical and Culinary Guide to Using Mushrooms for Whole Body Health. Square One Publishers, 2007.

• Wasser, Solomon P. "Medicinal Mushrooms as a Source of Antitumor and Immunomodulating Polysaccharides." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 60, no. 3 (2002): 258–274.

• Friedman, Mendel. "Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 63, no. 32 (2015): 7108–7123.

• Xu, Ting, et al. "The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Medicinal Mushrooms: A Review." Food Chemistry 385 (2022): 132691.

• Chang, Shu-Ting, and Philip G. Miles. Mushrooms: Cultivation, Nutritional Value, Medicinal Effect, and Environmental Impact. CRC Press, 2004.

• Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. North Atlantic Books, 2020.