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Choosing Your Perfect Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplement: Expert Tips
"Oh, the joys of exploring the vast realm of lion's mane mushroom supplements!"
...You might think sarcastically as you feel a slight sense of overwhelm flood over you.
Yet, here lies a gold mine of health benefits waiting to be discovered.
A top performer in the medicinal mushroom world-
the humble lion's mane mushroom,
...revered not only for its striking resemblance to the bulky hirsute mane of a majestic lion...
but also for that plethora of promising health benefits it encapsulates.
"What makes the lion's mane mushroom different from the rest?"
You ask...
Good question!
An array of complex compounds house within the fruiting body of this fungi, including erinacines and hericenones, known to promote nerve growth and ward off diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes and its neuropathy, depression and anxiety, and heart disease...just to name a few.
But not all medicinal mushroom supplements are created equal...and lion's mane mushroom supplements are no exception.
In the medicinal mushroom supplement world, It’s like the wild wild West out there.
In fact, most medicinal mushroom supplements on the market are packed full of fillers, flushing your hard earned dollar down the toilet if you blindly buy.
You practically need a degree in nutrition to interpret the wildly confusing nutrition label...much less know what you're looking for to meet your health needs.
Fear not...I've got your back (and a nutrition degree).
But even I was confused, frustrated and overwhelmed when doing the research to write this article for you.
Buying a legit lion's mane mushroom supplement: 3 musts
Remember, in your search for a lion's mane mushroom supplement, transparency is key.
Companies should be open about their sourcing, extraction methods, and (ideally) organic farming methods.
You are in control of your health choices.
Take your time evaluating the nutrition label.
Make sure the information is on the nutrition label and not just on their website...
#1 Look for a lion's mane mushroom supplement that lists the active compounds and corresponding potency numbers
There is a lot of confusing information about whether the mycelium (the mushroom roots) or the fruiting bodies (the actual mushroom), or both, are the best sources of the beneficial compounds of medicinal mushrooms.
In general, the compounds in medicinal mushrooms offering the healing benefits are:
- beta glucans
- triterpenes
- polyphenols
The highest quality mushroom supplements will list the specific compounds like this:
- 25% beta glucans
- at least 1.9% polyphenols
Look for an objective 3rd party test report, always!! Such a report contains the lab's contact details and accreditation like:
- ISO 17025
- ISO 9001
- ISO 22000
- HACCP
Most vendors don't use any quality control at all. There is a lot of trickery out there with mushroom supplements!
Chemical structure of erinacine- a unique bioactive compound in lions mane mycelium
#2 Your lions mane mushroom supplement needs to be an EXTRACT
Chitin, found in the cell walls of mushrooms, is where all of the healing compounds like the beta glucans, terpenes, erinacines and hericenones (in lions mane) etc, discussed earlier, are housed.
Even though we, as humans, do have an enzyme called chitinase in our digestive tracts that can break down chitin, it is not very efficient.
Think of chitin extraction like unlocking the treasure chest of mushroom benefits and nutrition. Without it, most of the goodness remains trapped within the mushroom, much like a pearl within an oyster.
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Remember, mushrooms were one of the first organisms on Earth. They have been shown to be as old as 810 million years old.
The chitin is like the mushroom’s armor and protection, helping them break through things like asphalt and survive tough environments.
By breaking down this resistant polysaccharide – the chitin, the nutrients can be effectively extracted and utilized by our bodies.
This is why a proper extraction process is essential when choosing a supplement.
There are several methods of extraction:
- water
- alcohol (do not confuse this with alcohol tinctures...not the same)
- dual extraction (using both water and alcohol)
- high tech methods we won’t discuss here
Chitin is water-soluble, meaning it can dissolve in water with heat.
This is why throughout this website you'll read my suggestion to always cook your gourmet mushrooms (including lions mane!) with water...it breaks down the chitin and unlocks all of the nutrition to maximize your body's ability to absorb all of the wonderful healing properties of your mushrooms!
Other compounds, such as terpenes, can only be extracted via alcohol.
Extraction methodology is the gold standard process for scientific research with medicinal mushroom supplements.
#3 Certificate of analysis (COA) should be easily found
A legit supplement company will proudly offer their certificate of analysis (COA) from a reputable 3rd party testing company, results, accreditation and contact information.
There are many, many deceptive strategies in the medicinal mushroom world...
Most medicinal mushroom supplements are not tested.
You have to be a bit of a Pink Panther sleuth to get the information, because even companies that use 3rd party testing and offer you the results of their COA are known for deceiving you with weak alcohol tinctures, or testing in-house, or many other sneaky ways...
Always cook your gourmet lion's mane mushrooms with water before adding ghee butter to sauté
When it comes to finding your perfect lions mane mushroom supplement, be sure to choose one that is extracted and includes the specific bioactive compounds on the labels with the corresponding percentages.
More pro insights: Fine-tune your choice of lion's mane mushroom supplement
Another VERY important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a lions mane mushroom supplement is to choose supplements that don't have:
- heavy metals
- fillers (oats, rice, grains)
- additives
Steer clear of any alcohol tinctures.
A useful mushroom alcohol or dual extract should not contain any alcohol, even if they try and trick you with listing percentages of beta glucans and phenols, etc. (which are usually very weak formulations in alcohol tinctures).
Also!
If you rely heavily on reviews to help sway your purchasing behavior…its time to switch up your strategy.
Research showed that in March 2019, there were 1.8 million new unverified reviews, with an average of 99.6% of them being 5-star reviews. Most of these reviews are from people paid to write them.
These fake reviews inflate the number and overall star rating of a product. When deciding on a product that can impact your health, don’t rely on Amazon reviews as they can be extremely misleading.
Mushrooms have many helpful nutrients, including beta glucans for immune enhancement, ergothioneines for antioxidative potentiation, nerve growth stimulators for helping brain function, and antimicrobial compounds for limiting viruses.
Paul Stamets
Now brace yourself to navigate the labyrinth of lions mane mushroom supplements.
Are you ready for the quest?
Fear not, because you are equipped with the right knowledge.
Your journey towards buying a lions mane mushroom supplement is not a simple purchase.
It's a proclamation of your proactivity, a salute to your wellbeing prioritization, and a testament to your wisdom and tactical preparedness. You are not just a consumer but a champion for your own health.
Don't forget, health improvement is a long-term journey, not a sprint, and you're firmly in the driver's seat. Consider this an achievement and let it fuel your desire for self-improvement.
You're doing fantastic!
So, my friend, feeling empowered and standing tall, let's proceed to unlock the magical realm of mushroom supplements, especially our majestic friend, the lion's mane.
Welcome aboard the train of wisdom, satisfaction, safety, exploration, and fascination. There's no looking back now, only forward to your health empowerment and fulfillment.
Let's ride!
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