The Truth About Mushroom Supplements (From Someone Who Gives a Damn)

There has been a lot of interest in mushroom supplements in the past five years. This growing fascination with fungi has been coined the "Shroom Boom" or "Mycorevolution."

While enthusiasm is great, it's important to highlight that we don't know everything about mushrooms. Therefore, it's hard to determine what the "right" dosage is. There is considerable variation in bioactive compounds. These variations depend on factors such as genotypes (strains), parts of the fungus used, extraction methods, and growing conditions.

The Importance of Language in the Fungal World

Language shapes how we understand the fungal world. Words allow us to communicate our ideas and share knowledge. By defining parts of animals, plants, and fungi, we can pass on valuable information. However, defining a term can vary from person to person, which may lead to misunderstandings.

When you read about mushrooms, be aware that marketing claims may not reflect reality. What's heavily promoted may not be the best option for everyone. Use your judgment before making any purchases.

While mushroom supplements can be beneficial, there's nothing better than incorporating whole foods, including mushrooms, into your daily diet. If you choose to take mushroom supplements, here are key points to consider.

Individuality of Mushroom Species: Why One Size Doesn't Fit All

"It depends." This simple phrase encapsulates the complexities of mushroom supplements. Each species is unique, and making blanket statements about their benefits is misleading. For instance, some beneficial compounds are present only in mycelial growth forms, whereas others are produced in the fruiting bodies.

Many mushroom products on the market, unfortunately, do not go through rigorous testing for bioactive compounds. The information listed on labels can sometimes be misleading.

The Misinformation Crisis: Navigating the Internet and AI

The internet is currently flooded with questionable information, often exacerbated by AI-generated content. Many individuals present themselves as experts, yet we lack sufficient understanding in this field. Testing and transparency are crucial for consumers navigating the marketplace.

Don't assume that AI-generated content is reliable. It simply reproduces existing information without verifying its accuracy—only what is most common is presented.

Beta-Glucans: Misconceptions and Misuse

Many people mistakenly trust beta-glucans as reliable indicators of product quality. In reality, this is not the case. They can serve as filler ingredients, especially in products sourced from East Asia, particularly China.

In the Chinese business environment, it can be acceptable to mislead buyers. This is a crucial aspect to consider when sourcing materials from overseas. Always ensure that you perform your due diligence through in-house and third-party testing.

Never blindly trust suppliers, no matter who they are. Establish a long-term, trustworthy relationship by vetting them thoroughly first.

FDA Regulations: The Minimal Standard

Currently, the FDA mandates identity testing for mushroom products only once per year. This means a supplier could provide a clean first batch. However, subsequent batches may be filled with less effective materials without any further verification, unless you conduct additional testing.

Which part of the batch you test matters, too. If you only sample the top of a barrel, the supplier may have placed the high-quality material on top while hiding lower-quality ingredients beneath. To ensure quality, it's vital to sample from various locations within each shipment.

Testing Protocols: The Need for Comprehensive Evaluation

Homogenized mixing is not a standard practice and must be verified. You should sample from the top, middle, and bottom of each barrel. Additionally, testing should confirm:

• Product Identity

• Purity

• Potency

• Heavy Metals

• Pesticides

• Residual Solvents

• Aflatoxins

• Microbial Loads

  
  

While this may seem excessive, it's just the bare minimum for ensuring safety in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Testing for these contaminants is required only once per year for supplier qualification. Unless you continuously verify the quality of batches what you receive could be compromised.

A major challenge within the industry is the absence of standardized testing protocols. Different labs use different methods (such as HPLC, HPTLC, NMR, or GC-MS), leading to inconsistent results.

Each mushroom product differs, including mycelium-based products and fruiting bodies. It’s critical to employ validated, product-specific testing protocols to understand the quality of mushroom supplements fully.

Marketing vs. Reality: Decoding Brand Claims

What does all this mean for consumers? It’s vital to stay skeptical. If a product seems too good to be true, or if the label includes bold claims like “lab verified,” you should question its authenticity.

Marketing often disguises itself as transparency. Testing should be the bare minimum for ensuring product safety, not something that consumers can be misled about.

How to Decipher Supplement Labels

Many influencers preach about only consuming "100% fruiting bodies" or avoiding products with fillers. Yet, there are no universal rules in the mushroom supplement world. The truth is, it varies considerably. Each species has unique cultivars and genotypes, and factors such as:

• What it grows on

• How long it’s grown

• What part is harvested

  
  

...affect the final product's quality.

To quote a popular fast-food chain: "It’s quality you can taste." This doesn’t mean it's inherently good or bad—it just highlights that a level of quality exists.

Analyzing Extracts: More Than Just Potency

Extracts have become trendy for their perceived higher potency. However, the extraction process can be misleading. Consider the term "10:1 extracts," which implies that you use 10g of raw material for every 1g of finished product. While this sounds strong, remember that most mushrooms consist of 90% water.

Higher quality products typically fall in the 4:1 or 2:1 range, but the extraction method also plays a significant role. Extracting substances separates out parts of the raw material, and you need assurance that the bioactive compounds have survived the process.

Dual extraction uses both water and ethanol, thus pulling out both water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds. Lower temperature extractions may release more active compounds, ultimately affecting potency.

Some extracts may even go through spray-drying, a process that raises questions about the integrity of bioactive compounds. You may wonder if maltodextrin is merely a filler. In reality, maltodextrin serves as a protective carrier for the product at elevated temperatures.

However, remember that only water-soluble compounds are extracted in this way, potentially missing out on fat-soluble components.

Exploring Functional Mushrooms: Not All Fungi Are Created Equal

A few mushroom species deserve special mention, as they illustrate the complexities in this field. While discussing them, it’s essential to remember that each has its unique characteristics.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Focus on mycelium-based products. Erinacines, which may promote nerve growth factor, are found in the mycelium rather than the fruiting body.

Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi): Known for its woody fruiting bodies rich in triterpenes, dual extraction works best here. This species gives rise to several compounds worth exploring.

Cordyceps militaris: This species has gained attention—especially due to pop culture references. Although the CS-4 strain is popular, it doesn't necessarily indicate superior quality.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Known for its immune-boosting qualities, both the mycelium and fruiting body contain valuable compounds.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): This is complicated. It’s essential to consider where it was sourced, as wildcrafting can impact ecosystems negatively.

In summary, milligrams per dose matter. Recommended daily dosages typically range from 400–1000mg per species. As with any supplement, consult your doctor before making changes to your regimen.

Brand Vetting: A Mini-Checklist for Consumers

When considering a mushroom brand, ask the following questions:

• Can they provide a full Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each batch?

• Do they test for product identity for every batch?

• Do they test for heavy metals, aflatoxins, and residual solvents—on every lot?

• Do they state the extraction method and part of the fungus used on the label?

• Can they trace the product back to the grower and substrate?

• Are they using scientifically validated lab methods?

• Are they promoting sustainable business practices?

• Do they responsibly source wild mushrooms?

  
  

The Bottom Line: A Call for Change in the Supplement Industry

Let’s be honest—just because a product claims it’s lab-tested or lists impressive extraction ratios doesn’t mean it’s high quality. Much of the available information can masquerade as science yet remain misleading.

If you're feeling more confused after reading, welcome to the club. This complexity is the crux of the issue. The mushroom supplement industry is intricate and largely unregulated, filled with ambiguity.

Always question gimmicky claims like:

• “10,000mg per dose!”

• “10:1 extract!”

• “30% beta-glucans!”

• “3rd party tested!”

  
  

Ultimately, the real conversation revolves around how we build a supplementation landscape rooted in evidence. How can we honor consumer intelligence and the intricacies of fungi while striving for a brighter wellness future?

Join the Movement for Better Standards

Advocate for rigorous testing for bioactives. Whether you are a consumer, formulator, or a larger brand, you have the power to influence change in the industry.

At Spore Growth Partners, we work towards a better future for functional mushrooms. It’s time to elevate the standards—together. If you care about the future of mushroom supplementation, reach out.

Let’s stop selling magic and start building science.

—Spore Growth Partners