Mushrooms For Immunity

With so much talk about supporting a healthy immune system happening right now, we imagine it can feel a bit overwhelming. We’re feeling it, too! Everywhere we turn we’re seeing reminders to:

• Wash hands regularly for 20 seconds using soap and warm water
• Cover mouth/nose if coughing or sneezing
• If sick, stay home or go home
• Minimize close contact and stay away from large crowds

We are also lowering our sugar intake, making sure we get in some inspired movement every day, and prioritizing getting a good night’s sleep.

Yes, we get it, but what about supporting our healthy immune system every day? Here at HealthForce SuperFoods®, we rely heavily on our ancient, extraordinary mushroom friends for an extra level of support.

For thousands of years, hot water extracted medicinal mushrooms have been the centerpiece of tonic immune support in the traditional Chinese medicine herbal system.

Although many people do not think of mushrooms as herbs, many of the world’s more than 38,000 species of mushrooms have medicinal uses. Our MycoForce™ blend was formulated for daily wellness support and features both certified organic and wildcrafted mushroom allies. This powerful combination contains hot water extracts of five different mushrooms: shiitake, maitake, red reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and wildcrafted Siberian chaga.

The carefully selected mushrooms found in MycoForce are each considered powerful adaptogens. Each potent extract, in its own unique way, helps bring strength to the body’s own innate ability to cope with stress and fatigue, thus promoting general vitality and well-being.* Adaptogens are extremely beneficial allies that support the individual in maintaining a healthy body and mind in today’s modern world.*

One of the key bioactive compounds in medicinal mushrooms is beta-D-glucans (specifically, 1,3-1,6 beta-glucans). These compounds have potent immunomodulatory benefits; they stimulate the immune system when deficient and also moderate an overactive immune system.

Each type of mushroom has a slightly different beta-glucan branching profile, so by combining these different beta-glucan fractions, we produce a more complex and ultimately effective immune response for daily immune support.*

Beta-glucans are effectively soluble fiber and, as such, are not digestible by humans in raw form. Beta-glucans and chitin are the dominant components of the fungal cell walls and are found in all life stages of mushrooms. Chitin is the tough, fibrous, polysaccharide material of the cell wall and mycologists hold the view that it is largely indigestible to humans.

Fortunately, hot water breaks down these chitinous cell walls, the beta-glucans, and other beneficial compounds found in mushrooms. Using hot water extraction ensures that these compounds are released for absorption by humans. A hot water extraction process (or other heat treatment) is therefore an essential feature of any quality fruiting body mushroom supplement.

Our certified organic hot water extracts are spray dried back onto the original finely-milled mushroom powder used to make the extract. By using the mushroom powder in this way, we can avoid the use of non-beneficial carriers.This ultimately produces a fully functional final product as the insoluble fiber is still intact.This allows both the insoluble and soluble fiber elements to harmonize and create a beautiful balance in the GI tract.

MycoForce Ingredient Breakdown

Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes)

This mushroom is commonly known in the English language by its Japanese name, shiitake. Giving credit to the Chinese, shiitake was the first mushroom to be cultivated and continues to be one of the most cultivated mushrooms in the entire world.

This tasty culinary mushroom has a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese and Asian medicine and can usually be found in most health food stores year-round.

The folklore around shiitake mentions that in Chinese culture shiitake was revered for its aphrodisiacal qualities and regarded as a substance that promotes youthfulness, virility, and longevity.

Being the most studied medicinal mushroom, hundreds of laboratory studies have verified potent levels of immunomodulatory benefits from consuming shiitake extracts.

Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa)

Also called “hen of the woods,” but more commonly known in the West by its Japanese name, maitake, this tasty culinary and medicinal mushroom can normally be found growing at the base of oak trees.

Ancient texts affirm maitake can boost qi (fundamental life force/vital energy) and fortify the spleen, moisten the lungs, and protect the liver.

Research has demonstrated that maitake stimulates the production of a variety of immune cells.

Red Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lingzhi)

Reishi, which is the Japanese name for this auspicious, woody mushroom, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years for the calming of the nerves and for encouraging inner awareness.

Reishi was a highly-prized folk tonic by Chinese royalty and Taoists alike as they knew that reishi’s essence could nourish a person’s spiritual radiance and heart, thus promoting health and longevity.

Lingzhi, the Chinese name for this mushroom, translates to herb of spiritual potency.

Today reishi is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality” and is highly sought out for its adaptogenic properties.

Reishi has shown much promise as an overall health and immune system tonic. In traditional Chinese medicine, red reishi is considered to be in the highest class of tonics and in that class considered the highest tonic.

Wildcrafted Chaga Sclerotium (Inonotus obliquus)

For centuries, chaga has been part of traditional folk medicine in countries such as China, Korea, Poland, Russia, and Scandinavian countries.

It is primarily found growing on hardwood trees like the birch tree in the cold circumpolar forests of the Northern Hemisphere.

Chaga was highly prized and considered a mainstay for thousands of years by indigenous Siberian shamans who used it as a nutritive tonic, intuitively knowing that chaga’s fungal spirit could nourish the energy that animates the body.

Chaga is also known by names such as “King of Herbs” and “Diamond of the Forest.”

In addition to its immune-supporting beta-glucans, chaga is a known source for many other bioactive constituents including betulin, melanin, triterpenes, and antioxidants.

Cordyceps Mushroom (Cordyceps militaris)

Considered both a yin and a yang tonic, Cordyceps militaris is said to nourish jing (a person’s essence) and tonify qi (fundamental life force/ vital energy).

Cordyceps has also long been used as a kidney and lung tonic in traditional Chinese medicine.

Considered a suitable and praiseful alternative to wild cordyceps, science has shown that C. militaris is similar in nutrition and therapeutic efficacy.

Besides being known for its immune potentiating properties, cordyceps gained its popularity in the sports nutrition world for its ability to support energy levels.

In China, cordyceps, due to its adaptogenic properties, is given to support recovery after a health challenge.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

Both a culinary and medicinal mushroom, lion’s mane got its name due to its long, shaggy, white-haired appearance.

In Asia, it is said that lion’s mane gives you “nerves of steel and the memory of a lion.”

Long revered by Buddhist monks of East Asia, legend has it that lion’s mane was prepared as a tea to facilitate enhanced concentration, creativity, and support mental well-being, thus acting as an aid to their spiritual practices.

Aside from its immune-supporting benefits, this mushroom’s super powers are due to its ability to encourage nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis. NGF is involved in the regulation of the growth, maintenance, and development of new neurons.

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Beta-Glucan Content Verified

MycoForce delivers by far the highest levels of beta-glucans in a supplement containing a blend of mushrooms on the market. Our tests consistently show 20%+ 1,3-1,6 beta-glucans with less than 5% starch. And, since our mushrooms have been hot water extracted, we know that these beta-glucans are actually bioavailable. HealthForce SuperFoods MycoForce sets a new industry standard for medicinal mushroom supplements by providing actual beneficial levels of immune support at an economical price. Beta-glucan levels are listed on the product label for easy reference. MycoForce is lab tested for botanical identity, microbials, heavy metals, pesticides, GMOs, and gluten. Certificate of Analysis available upon request.