How Do Mushrooms and Supplements Support Your Immune System?

Amazing Ways Mushrooms Support Your Immune System… Backed By Science

Humans have been using mushrooms for immunity for thousands of years, especially in Eastern cultures. These delicious fungi can come with amazing healing and healthful properties that can boost your immunity and may even prevent you from getting sick. Not only are they delicious additions to a wide range of meals, they are also excellent for your health, especially your immune system!

While each mushroom is unique in terms of its taste and specific health benefits, all mushrooms make fantastic add-ins to your diet. Another way to get your daily dose of these amazing immune supporting mushrooms is through Further Food’s Ultimate Immune Capsule immune support supplement. Learn more here.

Not only are mushrooms great in helping strengthen your immune system and fight illness, but mushrooms can also help reverse aging and support your brain. Read on to learn how mushrooms benefit immunity and how to incorporate them into your diet or obtain the benefits through an immune support supplement.

How Do Mushrooms Support Your Immune System?

1. Mushrooms Are Rich in Vitamin D

To start off, mushrooms are the only natural food source of ergosterols. Ergosterol is an important precursor for the production of vitamin D, and vitamin D is crucial for stimulating the immune system!

2. Mushrooms Are a Good Source of Antioxidants

Another way that mushrooms are helpful for immune support comes from the fact that theta re also quite rich in important antioxidants, including germanium and ergothioneine. By providing your body with antioxidants, mushrooms can help to protect you from free radical damage.

3. Mushrooms Have Natural Antiviral Effects

Mushrooms are antiviral and may play a preventative role in helping you from contracting an illness. This is because mushrooms are able to help inhibit viruses, thereby helping to prevent viruses from replicating in the body. Some studies even show that some mushrooms can increase B and T lymphocyte production.

Immunity-Boosting Mushrooms

Ready to add some mushrooms to your diet and support your immune system and overall health? Below you will find some mushrooms to look for that will help you get a strong immune system and fight off illness.

• Maitake Mushrooms – This mushroom, also known as the dancing mushroom, probably got its name from how people reacted when they found out about maitake’s unbelievable medicinal properties. Maitake mushrooms are super rich in antioxidants, beta-glucans, and vitamin C — all of which contribute to a healthy immune system.
• Reishi Mushrooms – These mushrooms are also known as the king of mushrooms because of their antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial powers! Reishi mushrooms work as an “immune modulator,” having been used to treat everything from viral infections to lung conditions.
• Tremella Mushrooms – These beautiful white mushrooms are loaded with immunostimulating polysaccharides that have been shown to have antioxidant effects. This makes them excellent for preventing cell damage and supporting your immune system!
• Cordyceps Mushrooms – Cordyceps mushrooms are hybrid fungi that contain cyclosporine, nucleosides, and polysaccharides. These three components pair up with the antioxidants found in cordyceps to improve your body’s inner defense mechanisms.
• Chaga Mushrooms – Chaga mushrooms, or birch mushrooms, contain antioxidant polyphenols that are tied to anticancer benefits. Chaga has amazing anti-inflammatory properties and helps stimulate white blood cells that are crucial for warding off harmful bacteria and viruses.
• Shiitake Mushrooms – Studies have shown that this delicious mushroom contains polysaccharides that have a positive effect on the immune system. It’s no wonder shiitake has been used for centuries to treat the common cold!
• Turkey Tail Mushrooms – This mushroom looks exactly like what it sounds like: a turkey tail! It’s one of the most well-known medicinal mushrooms, particularly touted for being packed with antioxidants and immune-boosting protein-bound polysaccharides!

Bonus Benefit: Mushrooms Are Anti-Aging

Mushrooms can help slow down the aging process. Mushrooms are high in two important antioxidants: ergothioneine (which we mentioned earlier) and glutathione. These antioxidants are known for their anti-aging properties. Penn State researchers have found that these antioxidants may additionally help protect your brain as you age, particularly from neurological diseases like Parkinson’s. If you’re really looking for the beauty benefits in anti-aging mushrooms, take a look at the tremella mushroom again!

So, next time you go shopping, don’t skip the mushrooms in the produce aisle! You can also look for powdered forms of mushrooms, that are used in blends or capsules.

Note: PLEASE consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.