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 Mushroom Supplement Brands
Below is an analysis of many different brands. Some of these are reccomended due to the transparency and quality of their products, others are not. If you have any doubts or questions, please feel free to reach out. If you feel as though any brands have not been fairly analyzed, also feel free to communicate this with us. If there are brands that you would like us to check, please feel free to send an email. You can contact us at mushroomclinicaltrials@gmail.com
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. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any information given is not intended to replace medical advice offered by licensed medical physicians. Please consult your doctor or health practitioner for any medical advice.
Real Mushrooms are pioneers in the mushroom supplement industry and the direct-to-consumer outlet of NAMMEX (North American Mushroom Extracts). NAMMEX is one of the largest bulk distributers of high-quality mushroom supplements. This is one reason Real Mushrooms provides competitive prices along with premium quality. 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.
Website: https://www.realmushrooms.com/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Nootropics Depot is a well-trusted source for many different types of supplements. They are 100% transparent and offer the results of their analytical testing. 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.
Website: https://nootropicsdepot.com/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes*
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
*Nootropics depot also offers high-quality mycelium derived products.
Mycogenius is one of the premier European mushroom supplement brands which has proven commitment to offering high-quality products. All of there supplements are tested in a ISO-accredited lab, and are verified for potency and high quantities of bioactive compounds. Test results are available on their website or upon request.
Website: https://mycogenius.com
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
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.
Website: https://antioxi.co.uk/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
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.
Website: https://drnoelsmushroompowder.com.au
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Purest Mushrooms offers high-quality extracts that are backed by rigorous testing. 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.
Website: https://purestmushrooms.com/
100% Fruiting Body: Yes
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: Yes
Very popular brand which has played a signifcant role in promoting medicinal mushrooms. Despite their popularity, their products are produced using myceliated brown rice and the company does not provide anlytical testing.
Website: https://hostdefense.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
OM is a popular mushroom supplement company commonly found in health food stores. They utilize myceliated oats and not fruiting bodies. While they provide analytics for beta-glucan content, this is likely plant-based betaglucans. They do not offer analytical testing for any other type of compound.
Website: https://ommushrooms.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
This company produces many different plant and mushroom supplements. They make no statement regarding the presence of fruiting bodies, nor do they provide analytical testing. Likely produced from myceliated grain.
Website: https://www.microingredients.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Planet Organic provides many different supplements, including mushroom supplements. While they offer analytical teseting, it is only limited to beta-glucans and they are at relatively low percantage. Their products are made via fermented grain.
Website: https://www.planetorganic.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Utilizes myceliated grain and offers low-potency tinctures. No certificate of analysis that mentions bioactive compounds in their product.
Website: https://us.lifecykel.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Utilizes myceliated grain and offers low-potency tinctures. No certificate of analysis that mentions bioactive compounds in their product.
Website: https://us.lifecykel.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Not reccomended. No specificaitons, analytical testing, and the dosage reccomendation is low. Not clear if the product is properly extracted.
Website: https://mycogenius.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
Likely utilizes myceliated grain and does not provided a analytical testing or facts about bioactive compounds.
Website: https://thegeniusbrand.com/
100% Fruiting Body: No
Organic Certified: Yes
Analytical Testing: No
