“Mycelium is a miraculous part of the organism, and just as it performs unique functions in nature, so too does it offers it’s own unique health benefits that are not found in the fruiting bodies”
Look at that beautiful, rich mushroom powder…
Fruiting bodies of the mushroom are great! We can all agree on that (and yes we use them in our gummies). However, “Fruiting bodies only” has become a popularized marketing slogan in the industry that we find ourselves taking a different stance on. We don’t mind being the contrarians if it means we’re delivering you a high quality, well rounded product.
Mycelium is a miraculous part of the organism, and just as it performs unique functions in nature, so too does it offers it’s own unique health benefits that are not found in the fruiting bodies (just as fruiting bodies offer their own unique benefits). As a matter of fact, we’d say that mushroom products that do not use mycelium are at a disadvantage as far as offering a “full spectrum” benefit to their users, and theres science and studies to support that (linked below).
The argument made against using mycelium is that it is cheaper, and less nutrient dense. Firstly, our sourcing and production process is among the most complex and expensive process you will find. So that argument is out the door. Secondly, mycelium offers unique benefits that fruiting bodies simply do not, so why wouldn’t we offer a full spectrum formula that includes both?
To deliver on our promise, we pay a premium to source all of our mushrooms from a single location on an organic / regenerative farm in the USA. Furthermore, we grow our mushrooms on a superfood blend versus more inert substrates like rice or grain. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, studies show that even the trace amounts of myceliated substrate that are a by-product of the mycelium growth process (having undergone an enzyme digestion process) offer even further health and immune supporting benefits.
Of course there are probably some bad actors out there who don’t have proper quality control over their sourcing process. However, this is no reason to ignore the unique benefits of mycelium. What we suspect is that most of these brands making these accusations are sourcing their products from a large manufacturer and slapping a label on one of their big stock formulas. These large manufacturers source their products from all over the globe, and if you get on the phone with them they cannot tell you what their growth or extraction processes entail. These large corporate manufacturers claim to use “fruiting bodies only” and so most of these brands blindly claim this as well in an effort to claim higher quality standards even though they are far removed from their production processes.
Yes, we put mycelium in our gummies.
No, we don’t fill our powders with grain, and it doesn’t “save us money”
Yes, of course we use fruiting bodies too.
HERES WHY:
Mycelium offers a host of unique benefits that fruiting bodies alone do not provide. Some health-promoting compounds are more concentrated or exclusively found in the mycelium. This includes certain enzymes, polysaccharides, and other bioactive compounds not present or less concentrated in the fruiting body. Singling out beta-glucans as the only active compound neglects to take into account the complex chemistry of a full spectrum mushroom product.
The major complaint about products that use mycelium is that it’s an excuse to fill your mushroom powder with grain, rice, sawdust, or whatever substrate you’re using to grow your mushrooms. Well, our substrate is actually a combination of superfoods along with choice grain. Furthermore, the mycelium excretes enzymes as it digests the substrate. This fermenting of the substrate actually creates unique immune activating benefits as well. At the end of the day only trace amounts of myceliated substrate remain which offer their own unique benfits.
No, we don’t save money by using mycelium in our formula. If you look at our growing techniques you’ll find that it’s a highly complex process which is more expensive than what the majority of other brands are putting out there. The way brands save money is by contracting with massive manufacturers that source their mushrooms from all over the globe with inferior quality control. These brands are picking stock formulas from a list and putting their label on the same exact product that dozens of other brands are selling. The only difference is the sticker on the bottle. It would be like getting two cheap cotton t-shirts and drawing different pictures on them, and then trying to convince your customers that one t-shirt is of higher quality.
Mycelium plays a vital role in natural ecosystems through its advanced communication and nutrient regulation abilities. Remarkably similar to the human brain, mycelium transmits information through electrical signals. This network is capable of sensing obstacles, adeptly maneuvering around them, and efficiently solving mazes to find the quickest exit route. It exchanges a diverse array of information with other living organisms and exhibits a form of memory. Not only is mycelium remarkably robust, but it also plays a crucial role in nourishing other life forms. Frankly, thats something we want our own bodies to get a taste of.
What unique compounds and health benefits are found exclusively, or in higher concentrations in mycelium?
Polysaccharides:
Mycelium contains a range of unique polysaccharides, including beta-glucans and alpha-glucans, which are different in structure and function compared to those in the fruiting body. One significant polysaccharide is the extracellular polysaccharide known as "exopolysaccharide" which is more abundantly produced by the mycelium.
Secondary Metabolites:
Mycelium often produces a variety of secondary metabolites that can include antibiotics, antifungal, and antiviral compounds. These include compounds like ergosterol peroxide, which may not be as prevalent in fruiting bodies.
Enzymes:
Mycelium is rich in various enzymes that help in breaking down complex organic material. These enzymes, such as cellulases, ligninases, and proteases, are crucial for the decomposition process in the environment and are more abundant in mycelium than in fruiting bodies.
Prebiotic Fibers:
Mycelium contains prebiotic fibers such as oligosaccharides, which are beneficial for gut health. These fibers are found in greater amounts in the mycelium compared to the fruiting body.
Sterols:
Ergosterol and other sterol compounds are more prevalent in the mycelium. These sterols can be precursors to vitamin D2 and have various biological activities.
Phenolic Compounds:
Mycelium can produce different phenolic compounds which might not be found or are present in lower concentrations in the fruiting bodies. These compounds can have antioxidant properties.
Amino Acids and Peptides:
There are specific peptides and amino acids synthesized during the growth of mycelium which may not be present in the same form in fruiting bodies. These can have various health benefits.