We are on the cusp of a serious ‘shroom boom, with more people turning to functional mushrooms as a way to naturally energize their day-to-day. While the use of health-promoting fungi dates back centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, it’s also true that we’re still learning about the cognitive and physical benefits associated with ingesting the full fruiting bodies of various forms of fungi found within the mushroom kingdom.

At the heart of it, functional mushrooms offer our bodies more than just the sustenance and nutrition of your garden-variety fungi (though they can help with that, too). They are full-on superfoods that have been scientifically shown to provide our bodies with remarkable health benefits —they’re immune system boosters with anti-inflammatory properties; some both increase stamina and reduce fatigue; some are chock full of anti-aging antioxidants; while others are adaptogenic stress relievers that can help our bodies relax after a hard day or workout.

Though there are literally millions of fungi scattered across the globe, when it comes to functional mushrooms, you can’t go wrong with the all-star starting lineup of lion's mane, chaga, reishi, turkey tail, and cordyceps mushrooms. Each strain delivers a unique combination of nutritional and medicinal compounds, and Optimi has unlocked the full potential of these functional mushrooms.

If you’re an athlete seeking a performance boost, or you want help relaxing after a busy day, these are just a few ways introducing functional mushroom supplements into your daily wellness routine can optimize your whole body and mind.

Immunity Building

Whether it’s the start of cold season or the recovery period after an intense workout routine, sometimes our bodies get worn out. The truth is, we can all use a boost now and then to keep our bodies in check, and a variety of functional mushrooms can assist with putting your immune system back on track.

Take chaga, a mushroom which traditionally grows on tree bark in colder climates like Russia and Siberia. This woody ‘shroom has been praised for its range of effects on the immune system. Studies have shown that chaga can act as a natural anti-inflammatory, while taking chaga over an extended period of time can also help bodies build specialized proteins that stimulate white blood cells that ward off harmful bacteria and viruses.

Turkey tail is another immunity-building mushroom that’s been used around the world to treat a number of conditions. The fungus naturally possesses Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP), two compounds that work together to boost immune system cells and regulate toxins, among other benefits. Because of its immunity heightening properties, another of turkey tail's many uses is acting as an anticancer agent alongside chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment. Studies on reishi have also unveiled the mushroom’s antitumor properties, making it another immune-boosting go-to.

Antioxidant effect

Antioxidants reduce the risk of disease and cellular damage by deactivating free radicals, which are potentially harmful chemical compounds that break down our cells through a process called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to advanced skin-aging —not to mention heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, and other illnesses.

While our bodies naturally produce antioxidants, functional mushrooms are likewise rich in them, and can provide an additional, body-building boost. Several kinds of functional mushrooms— like cordyceps, turkey tail, and reishi— are quite naturally high in the kinds of beneficial antioxidants that keep free radicals in check. Studies on cordyceps have suggested that this mushroom’s antioxidant levels are quite potent even hot-water extraction. Long-term cordyceps use potentially slows down the skin-aging process by blocking the damage done by free radicals. Incorporating those antioxidant-rich functional mushrooms into our diet could end up making us feel younger for longer.

Adaptogenic properties

The world is full of daily stressors. Some of that stress stems from our literal environment—like UV rays and air pollution— but anything from physical exertion or pain to of a hectic day at work can throw our systems completely out of whack. If you’re feeling maxed out all the time, taking certain kinds of functional mushroom supplements could help keep you nice and relaxed.

Along with its many other health benefits, Reishi mushrooms have become known as an organic anxiety-reducer. The fruiting body of reishi actually holds a powerful, potentially zen-inducing triterpene that works as a natural anti-stressor that can calm the nervous system. Reishi has also been linked to managing sleeping problems, depression, anxiety, and more.

A healthy mind is likewise a focused mind. It’s worth noting that if you’ve got a bit of brain fog going on, lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to help with cognitive brain function — even as we get older. Life is hectic, and our Lion’s Mane formula can help ease the effects of daily stress. Named for its wispy, mop-like mushroom head, the fungus has been scientifically proven to possess both hericenones and erinacines, compounds that have been shown to stimulate the growth of brain cells and fight against age-related cellular degeneration. Animal research has also suggested that taking Lion’s mane can protect against memory loss, and even Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.

Only the essentials with Optimi

At Optimi, we source and produce the highest quality organic mushrooms for our products, all of which containing the greatest concentration of active compounds that deliver the amazing benefits of functional mushrooms in one easy-to-take supplement. Each ‘shroom variety gets broken down into a powder for our capsules, but none of the nutrient-dense fruiting body is lost during our extensive 8-hour, 8-step water process. What we’re left with is the good stuff—and just the good stuff. No added starch, grains or fillers to dilute the true power of functional fungi.

Whether you’re looking for a targeted mushroom boost or a balanced multi-strain, each capsule provides a potent dose of pure fruiting body extracts to fully optimize your body and mind. Learn more about Optimi’s full line of functional mushroom supplements here.

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