Functional mushrooms may boost immune function through a variety of mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory effects, their capacity to help relieve stress, and their immunomodulatory properties. We’ll count down five top brands in our search for the best mushroom supplements for immune system health.
In recent years, edible mushrooms have surpassed the association with your dinner plate and moved into the popularized world of preventative medicine. Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries in Eastern cultures for their medicinal properties. As these mushrooms move into the labs of Western scientists, their bioactive compounds are now linked with a diverse array of health benefits that may affect many working mechanisms in the body, including your immune system.
These mushrooms may boost your immunity with their anti-inflammatory effects, immune response stimulation, and ability to adapt the body to outside stressors. The versatility of these natural remedies has paved the way for a booming mushroom supplement market in the Western world. Read on for a ranking of five top brands to determine the best mushroom supplements for immune system health.
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Best mushroom supplements for immune system health:
5. Perpetua.Life SHROOMS Lion’s Mane Gummies
This vegan, organic, Non-GMO, and gluten-free supplement hosts an impressive lineup of functional mushrooms in each raspberry-flavored gummy. One mushroom contained in the formula is Lion’s Mane, a functional mushroom researched for its potential to improve cognitive function. Many functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane are also considered adaptogenic, with properties that may influence the body to “adapt” to physical, chemical, and biological stressors by exerting a normalizing effect on bodily processes. Chronic stress is associated with many adverse health outcomes, including impairment of proper immune function, so having a gummy that helps your body adapt to stress may also have positive health benefits.
Gummy supplements are famous for their candy-like flavoring and texture. This supplement is no different. However, the added sugar may present unnecessary calories and adverse side effects that hinder the supplement’s intentions to increase your overall health, granting this product the #5 spot.
Best mushroom supplements for immune system health:
4. MUD/WTR mushroom boost
This powdered supplement contains only 100% organic functional mushrooms, including the immune-boosting Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushrooms. Reishi mushrooms, known as the “Elixir of Immortality,” may maintain healthy immunity and assist in detoxifying the body. One study shows that Reishi mushrooms may amend inflammation pathways in white blood cells. Although, this cleanly formulated supplement does not disclose the exact amount of each mushroom present, granting it the #4 spot.
Best mushroom supplements for immune system health:
3. Elm & Rye Mushroom Complex
Rated the #1 best mushroom supplement in 2023 by Discover Magazine, this supplement tablet contains no pesticides or fillers alongside their sustainably sourced, high-quality mushroom extracts, including Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga. Chaga is a mushroom high in antioxidants studied for its assistance in regulating the production of cytokines. This allows for proper cell communication, resulting in a healthier immune system. The exact amounts of each mushroom are not disclosed, sitting this supplement at the #3 spot.
Best mushroom supplements for immune system health:
2. Ancient Nutrition Organic Multi Mushroom Immune Blend
This organic supplement tablet contains eight functional mushrooms for daily immune defense. The formula contains Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and Turkey Tail mushrooms. The benefits of functional mushrooms largely stem from the active compounds present, mainly in the form of beta-glucans. Beta-glucans contain immune-enhancing properties that trigger immunomodulating properties when ingested and may protect the body from pathogens. Turkey Tail mushrooms, containing high amounts of beta-glucans, may stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Unfortunately, the mushroom supplement market has an ugly underbelly. Many companies grow the root of the mushroom, mycelia, on a grain substrate and sell it as a “mushroom” product without disclosing the amount of grain components present. The myceliated grain contains no mushroom content, with few active compounds, like beta-glucans, that provide the associated health benefits. To obtain the most active compounds out of a mushroom supplement, it should contain mushroom extract instead of myceliated grain. Ancient Nutrition’s supplement only contains quality mushroom extract. The formula does contain fillers, including guar gum and sunflower lectin, two common emulsifiers that may cause gastrointestinal pain, granting it the #2 spot.
Best mushroom supplements for immune system health:
1. Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Organic Mushroom Blend Capsules
This supplement capsule includes a blend of five organic mushroom extracts from immune-boosting mushrooms like Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Chaga. The formula contains no added starch, mycelium, or grain of any kind, with a guaranteed amount of more than 20% beta-glucans. The mushrooms used for their formula are organically grown and extracted to improve bioavailability. Real Mushrooms provides highly researched mushroom products with incredible production transparency, creating a new standard for customers demanding better products with higher standards and more active compounds. This immunity-boosting formula contains a few safe additives with no adverse side effects, granting it the #1 spot for best mushroom supplements for immune system health.
Final thoughts
Eastern cultures have harnessed mushrooms as one of nature’s most potent preventative medicines for centuries. Modern science in Western cultures is now considering these benefits, which may bolster conventional medical practices on various mechanisms in the body, like the immune system. As the mushroom supplement market continues to rise, many products have emerged with misleading fillers, claiming to provide the same benefits as pure mushroom extract. Hopefully, this list provides quality products with many active compounds to help you achieve the desired results for your immune health.
Further reading for additional reference:
Johns Hopkins: The Immune System
VeryWell Health: What is Beta Glucan?
Google Books: Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, and Culture
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.
