Hello, Awaken Family! Grab your tea, coffee, cacao, or kombucha, because today we’re diving deep into the wonderful, wacky world of therapeutic mushrooms! And not just any part of the mushroom, mind you—we’re talking about the fruiting body, the crown jewel, the crème de la crème of fungus! Because here’s the scoop: if you’re looking for health benefits that’ll knock your socks off, you want the fruiting body. Mycelium? It’s nice, bless its little root-like heart, but it just can’t hold a candle to the fruiting body. So, let’s break it down, shall we?
Fruiting Body = Potent Powerhouse
Alright, picture the mushroom life cycle. You’ve got the mycelium, right? That’s like the underground web, the root, the silent worker, connecting everything in the forest like it’s some kind of fungal Wi-Fi. But then, boom—the fruiting body appears! This is the part you see above ground, the big show, the main event! And why is it better? Because it’s jam-packed with more beta-glucans, triterpenes, vitamin-D and antioxidants—the fancy compounds that give mushrooms their immune-boosting, brain-boosting, heart-boosting superpowers. Mycelium’s a little light on these goodies, like trying to get a strong cup of coffee from a single scoop. Fruiting body? It’s the double-shot espresso of the mushroom world!
No Fillers, No Fluff—Just Pure Mushroom Goodness
Let me tell you a little secret: when you buy mycelium-based supplements, you’re not just getting mycelium. Nope, my friends, you’re getting a bunch of grain or rice powder, too. Because mycelium is tricky to separate from its growing medium, a lot of mycelium products come with fillers that make you think you’re getting a full mushroom supplement. But really, it’s like a scoop of mushroom with a side of cereal. The fruiting body, on the other hand? It’s all mushrooms, all the time, baby! Pure, potent, and unfiltered. No fillers, no fluff, just the good stuff.
Triterpenes. You heard it right! But can you pronounce it?
Sounds like.. “try – ter peenz”. Why does the ‘silent e’ make the prior ‘e’ a ‘long e’ sound in the English language? I guess it is like the mycelium to the body of the mushroom. Some silent e’s are better left silent…. OK, I digress, Let’s move on!
The amazing, wanna- be famous molecular superheroes you may not have heard about! But they are here to save your day, year, or even your life! Triterpenes are ready to kick some oxidative stress right out of your system! This naturally occurring compound found in many mushrooms works to support the immune response, reduce inflammation, and even fight off free radicals. Triterpenes have even shown to help to promote apoptosis (cell death) in tumors and cancer cells!
Not only this, but they are also adaptogenic! That means they are there to send you zen! They are the calming monk that helps balance stress responses, even blood sugar and cholesterol!
This molecule is amazing! I think Triterpenes just made itself significant enough to have its own blog post spotlight! See ya soon “Try – terpeenz”!
More Bang for Your Buck (or Spoon)
Traditional wisdom (and, yes, modern science) both agree that the magic’s in the fruiting body. A lot of this magic is in the high levels of beta-glucans—the rockstars of the immune system—and antioxidants that help fight off free radicals. Beta-glucans, along with triterpenes, are the other half of the dynamic duo that provide similar benefits yet have a slightly different approach!
So when you reach for a supplement, make sure it says “fruiting body,” or you’ll end up with something that’s about as effective as an ice cube in a sauna. Mycelium’s nice, but the fruiting body? Now that’s what I call mushroom therapy!
Oh, the powdered extract vs tincture debate. Let’s dive in.
Powdered extracts are like the full Broadway cast of mushrooms, they bring everything to the stage. Especially those glorious fibrous beta-glucans. Powders are made of grinding the whole mushroom, but one more process is so important so you can digest all those nutrients; The extraction process! The essential beta—glucans must be extracted from the cell wall or else the indigestible fiber, chitin will block absorption and there goes the beta-glucan right down the drain. If we were to make a tincture (yes those convenient little drops for your tongue) and preserve the beta-glucans, you would end up with a gooey substance that would rival the top layer of grandma’s old fashioned oatmeal. Speaking of oatmeal, this is a great place to sprinkle in some of those mushroom extract powders, and get a shroom boost to those organic oats!
Whole Food Goodness: Nutritious and Delicious!
Ah, nutrition! The fruiting body is jam packed with nutrition! It’s got protein, fiber, vitamin D, B vitamins, minerals, you name it! Mycelium, bless it, just doesn’t have the same range. With fruiting bodies, you’re not only getting all those immune boosters but a fantastic source of nutrients that help keep you healthy, glowing, and ready to tackle whatever life throws your way.
So, What’s the Verdict?
If you’re after serious health benefits, more immune support, and some cognitive boosting, go for the fruiting body. It’s the headliner, the superstar, the cherry on top. Mycelium might play a supporting role underground, but when it comes to therapeutic benefits, it’s the extracted fruiting body that steals the show every time.
Chris Richmond
Sources:
1. Bak, Won Chull, et al. “Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia
of Lentinula Edodes Cultivars.” Mycobiology, vol. 42, no. 3, Sept. 2014, pp. 301–04. https://doi.org/10.5941/myco.2014.42.3.301.
2. Chan, Godfrey Chi-Fung, et al. “The Effects of ?-glucan on Human Immune and Cancer
Cells.” Journal of Hematology & Oncology, vol. 2, no. 1, June 2009, https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-8722-2-25.
