Why are there so many low-quality mushroom supplements?
Hint: It’s the grains, not the mycelium
If you want to experience the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms, it is important to consume them in an effective form. Unfortunately, a 2017 study published in the journal Nature showed almost 75% of products they tested contained significantly fewer bioactive compounds than expected. Some of the compounds that play an essential role in the therapeutic effects of mushrooms were not even present in some supplements.
While we have an entire guide that explains what you should look for in a quality product, this page explains one of the reason behind the vast quantity of low quality products on the market.
Low Potency Materials
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Low Potency Product
The reason behind the vast quantity of low-quality mushroom supplements is that many producers utilize low-quality primary materials. In particular, supplement companies often utilize a form of mycelium which is cultivated on grains (such as Oat, Rice, Wheat, ect.) This is known as “myceliated grain”, or in literature as a product of “Solid State Fermentation.”
Mycelium is the “root” of the fungus which acquires nutrients by decomposing organic substrates. You’ve probably seen it’s spider-web like network of threads under moist logs or in the leaf-litter of the forest. It is the actual “body” of the fungus, and is responsible for the creation of the actual mushrooms, or Fruiting Bodies, which we are familiar with.
As a means to grow certain species of mushrooms more efficiently, a large number of producers focus on the cultivation of mycelium on grains. Grains are sterilized, inoculated with fungal mycelium, and then grown out until the grains are fully colonized by mycelium. Once fully colonized these grains are dried, powdered, and utilized as the primary material for dozens of different supplements and products.
This is in contrast to utilizing mushroom fruiting bodies, which are the most traditional and time-tested way to consume them. Fruiting bodies are known to contain significant quantities of the bioactive compounds which have been well shown to have beneficial effects.
While mycelium is well known to contain of bioactive compounds, they are scarce in myceliated grains. This is because a large quantity of this material remains undigested and remains as grains. Despite this, they are readily used in the supplement industry
Research shows myceliated grains have
low levels of beneficial compounds
Myceliated grain products contain less than 10% beta-glucans and other bioactive compounds, which are the key components responsible for the medicinal properties of mushrooms.
High In Startch
Instead of beneficial compounds, myceliated grain products are largely composed of starch (30-50%.) These are derived from the grains, as fungi are largely absent of startches (1-5%).
You can find an independent research report on this conducted by NAMMEX here (opens to pdf).
Despite the lack of evidence which suggests myceliated grains are an effective way to consume medicinal mushrooms, a large majority of mushroom supplements use it. This is because they are cheap, quick, and easy to produce compared to actual fruiting bodies. The lack of regulation and poor-public understanding are what allow these companies to maintain this practice.
Advocates of these products argue that current methodologies for beta-glucan testing do not work properly on myceliated grains. While there does exist room for improvement in current testing methods, there is unfortunately no evidence to suggest myceliated grains contain significant quantities of bioactive compounds.
It is possible that in the future, enhanced production techniques and testing methods, could prove solid-state fermentation as a viable option for producing quality products. Unfortunately, for the time being, they cannot be recommended for anyone seeking true therapeutic value from a mushroom supplement.
We recommend products that;
Are made with 100% fruiting bodies.
Are transparent about their ingredients.
Conduct analytical testing and publicly share their results.
Have at least 30% beta-glucan content
Click here for our full supplement buying guide.
Recommended Brands
Below are brands that have been vetted for quality and transparency. We recommend any of the products produced by these brands, as they each follow research-based and analytical protocols. For full transparency, we are affiliated with these brands and may earn commission from your purchase. Your purchase will help us to maintain and update this website. Thank you.
Real Mushrooms (USA)
Real Mushrooms are pioneers in the mushroom supplement industry and the direct-to-consumer outlet of NAMMEX (North American Mushroom Extracts). NAMMEX is a bulk distributor that sells a large portion of other supplement brands. This is one reason Real Mushrooms is very competitive in the supplement market. Their products are made with 100% fruiting bodies, USDA Organic, and are analyzed for bioactive compounds. They maintain close relationships with their growers, their customers, and the wider mushroom community.
Nootropics Depot (USA)
Nootropics Depot is a well-trusted source for many different types of supplements. They are 100% transparent and offer very well done COA´s on all of their products. On top of the standard powders/capsules, they also offer specialized extracts with higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. Their Erinamax Lion’s Mane supplement is one of the only products on the market made with mycelium derived from submerged fermentation and standardized for the content in Erinacine A.
Purest Mushrooms (USA)
Purest Mushrooms is a relative newcomer in the supplement market that offers high-quality extracts. Their supplier partners directly with mushroom growers to source high-quality materials. All their products are quality tested and analyzed for bioactive compounds. COAs of all their products can be found directly on their website.
Antioxi (UK)
Antioxi is one of the most trusted mushroom supplement companies based out of the UK. They provide test results on all their products, many of which have astounding levels of bioactive compounds. While it´s relatively unheard of outside of the UK, it is one of the top-brands advocated for by the medicinal mushroom community in the UK.
Dr.Noels (Austrailia)
The most well-known and highly trusted mushroom supplements coming out of Austrailia. Dr.Noel is very well known in the herbalist community and his products are considered to be of exceptional quality.