Used in Asia for centuries for its health- and longevity-promoting benefits, the maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa), is now considered a “major medicinal mushroom” in the modern world, according to dietitian/nutritionist Brittany Lubeck, MS, RDN.

Benefits of Maitake

Research has uncovered maitake’s usefulness in immunity, likely thanks to its polysaccharide and polyphenol content.

• Anti-Tumor Properties

  “Beta-glucans (types of polysaccharides) are widely present in maitake mushrooms. In laboratory research, beta-glucans have shown antitumor properties,” Lubeck notes. Human clinical trials are needed to back up this information.

  “Flavonoids and other types of polyphenols are also present in maitake mushrooms. These act as antioxidants, which may be necessary for disease prevention,” says Lubeck.

• Polysaccharide Actions

  Since the discovery, more than 30 years ago, of maitake’s D-fraction, researchers have extracted other polysaccharides, including beta-glucans and heteroglycans, from both the fruiting body and the fungal mycelium (root-like structure) of maitake.

  Polysaccharides are maitake’s major immunomodulating components.

• General Immunity

  Maitake extracts are marketed as dietary supplements that “enhance immune function” and help treat cancer and AIDS. The active constituent in these preparations is beta 1,6-glucan, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Human data are limited, however.

  “In small trials,” says the MSKCC website, “oral maitake extract appeared to have immunomodulatory effects in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, and enhanced neutrophil and monocyte function in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome,” a group of disorders caused by irregular blood cells.

  “D-fraction in maitake mushroom has a strong effect on the immune system,” according to a 2022 WebMD article. “It boosts production of lymphokines (protein mediators) and interleukins (secreted proteins) that improve your immune response.” 

Precautions

• Blood Health

  Discuss the use of maitake with your healthcare provider before adding a maitake extract to your supplement regimen, especially if:

  • you take blood thinners (such as Coumadin and Jantoven)
  • you take blood-sugar-lowering medication

  Maitake can increase bleeding risk as well as lowering blood sugar.

• Pregnancy / Breastfeeding

  Because of a lack of safety information on the use of maitake by those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, Lubeck suggests they “talk with a healthcare provider before using maitake mushrooms.”

Ever wonder what all those symbols on your favorite product mean?

Messaging through symbols is a growing way for brands to quickly connect with customers over shared values. Symbols might be used to convey how something is grown or how the company is addressing environmental and social issues.

Below, we explore what goes into several important certification/designation symbols, and why industry-leading Fungi Perfecti—makers of Host Defense Mushrooms—is committed to the highest standards.

Host Defense Certifications

• Organic / Vegan / Gluten-Free

  The most obvious place to start when considering a supplement is verification for safety and quality.

  The Certified Organic designation by the USDA, or other reputable third-party certifiers, verifies that ingredients have been grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, and, as with all organic foods, none of it is grown or handled using genetically modified organisms, which the organic standards expressly prohibit.

  This means that any product certified as organic is also non-GMO.

  Host Defense products are certified organic by either the USDA or Washington State Department of Agriculture.

  In addition to being non-GMO, they are also vegan and gluten-free.

• 110% Climate Positive

  Many organizations are beginning to make a “carbon neutral” commitment. This means that they minimize their footprint where they can and offset any emissions they can’t eliminate, bringing their total emissions to zero, or carbon neutral.

  While this is important work, unfortunately, being carbon neutral is no longer enough to keep pace with climate change.

  At Fungi Perfecti, they have committed to being climate positive.

  Working with a third-party carbon management solutions provider, they have minimized their overall impact, and offset not only their remaining emissions, but an additional 10% of the combined totals of their scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions—earning them the designation of 110% Climate Positive.

  By purchasing a Host Defense product, you’re helping to offset over 10% more carbon emissions than were released to produce it!

• Certified B Corporation

  Certified B Corporations value people over profit. They share in the collective mission of transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.

  The process to become a Certified B Corporation requires a strong commitment to transparency.

  Fungi Perfecti, makers of Host Defense, became a Certified B Corporation in 2023 and was evaluated using the rigorous B Impact Assessment on a wide range of criteria, from supply chain practices and sustainability efforts, to employee satisfaction and commitment to corporate responsibility.

  Identifying and supporting B Corporations is a great way to be part of the solution, helping to create a paradigm shift in business practices that can lead to a more equitable future for all.

• BPI Compostable Certified

  The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) compostable mark indicates the end-of-life opportunity for a compostable product. It is a way for consumers to identify products and packaging that can be safely commercially composted, and to determine that an item can be diverted with food or yard scraps where a program exists.

  Years ago, Host Defense set out to create custom crafted material for our singleuse packets that can be commercially composted. In 2024, BPI Certification was achieved after having met the rigorous review process and having met the third-party verification ASTM standard.

  By purchasing products with the BPI Compostable symbol, you are helping to reduce the amount of non-compostable, virgin plastics!

Over the past decade, the lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has captured attention in the herbal and natural wellness sphere, fascinating researchers and health enthusiasts with its potential cognitive benefits. The scientific name “Hericium” means “hedgehog.” Still, scientists dubbed the mushroom “lion’s mane” because the fruiting body looks like a shaggy lion’s mane, which also resembles the quills of a hedgehog.

This unique mushroom is found mostly in North America, Europe, and Asia and has a long history of use in natural medicine. Recent scientific studies have delved into the intricate mechanisms through which lion’s mane influences the brain, offering promising insights into its neuroprotective and cognitive benefits.

Lion’s mane is rich in bioactive compounds, such as hericenones and erinacines, believed to underlie its therapeutic effects. These compounds have demonstrated the ability to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a critical protein essential for the development, maintenance, and survival of neurons in both the brain and the body as a whole.

In the brain, NGF actively supports neurogenesis, the process of forming new neurons, and facilitates the growth and differentiation of nerve cells. Its role extends beyond the brain, influencing the health of peripheral nerves and impacting sensory and motor functions. Disruptions in NGF levels are associated with potential neurodegeneration. A comprehensive understanding of NGF’s influence provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic approaches.

Lion’s Mane for Brain and Nervous System Wellness

The potential of lion’s mane to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) has spurred increased studies into its cognitive benefits. While human studies are still in the early stages, preliminary results suggest possible applications for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection. Lion’s mane mushroom’s medicinal properties, including potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory characteristics, contribute to its neuroprotective effects. It may support optimal nerve cell wellness by scavenging free radicals and supporting the regulation of inflammatory responses.

Beyond cognitive benefits, the fungus shows anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, promising a multifaceted approach to mental health. Animal studies hint that it may positively influence neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. While additional research is necessary, these findings provide a glimpse into the potential holistic effects of lion’s mane on mental well-being.

Lion’s mane is emerging in the natural wellness and dietary supplement areas as a captivating natural therapy, drawing intense scientific scrutiny for its ability to promote neurogenesis, stimulate NGF production, and exert neuroprotective effects. While the field continues to evolve, early research points toward a promising future, as scientists unravel the mysteries of this remarkable mushroom and its potential to positively impact brain health.

Ever wonder how our long-ago ancestors knew what herbs were safe to use? Or what they were good for? There are several theories, watching animals, looking at how and where they grow (doctrine of signatures), or even trial-and-error. None of these seem to explain it all. For instance, estimates have been made that the trial-and-error method simply doesn’t make sense mathematically… there are simply too many plants for this to explain things. One intriguing story, at least in regard to traditional Chinese medicine, is that there was an ancient herbalist who had very thin skin, almost see-through. He would take each herbal remedy and then watch how it worked in his body. This story is probably better thought of metaphorically. Our ancestors, especially early herbalists and healers, lived much closer to and in tune with nature. However this wisdom was uncovered, they were amazingly accurate and detailed much of the time. Today of course, we have modern research efforts that explore this traditional knowledge as well as discovering new applications for many of these natural remedies. In fact, a “hobby” of mine is to compare this traditional wisdom with current research, and I must say, the traditional healers have been amazingly accurate.

An example of this can be seen with the Lion’s Mane mushroom. It was used traditionally as a digestive tonic, whereas, thanks to recent research efforts, it has become a leading, research-backed remedy for brain health. Current research has also, interestingly, confirmed that Lion’s Mane does indeed support the digestive system.* So how does all this relate to extraction? Well our ancestors generally used relatively simple extraction techniques, e.g. hot water (aka tea), wines (aka alcohol extraction) and even vinegars. While these techniques can be quite effective in most cases and are widely used today, the extraction process has also evolved with our increasing scientific knowledge and techniques.

Lion’s Mane Amyloban

I imagine most of you, especially if you are on a mushroom-related website reading this blog, are already familiar, at least to some degree with the Lion’s Mane mushroom and its application for supporting brain function.* As alluded to previously, Lion’s Mane was used traditionally as a digestive and Qi tonic.* And while research has begun to explore, and confirm these benefits, it has to a large degree focused on its actions as they are related to brain and nerve functions. This focus has led some researchers to explore what’s in the mushroom that is responsible for many of these brain benefits. As it is with virtually all the mushrooms in common use, the water-soluble polysaccharides have demonstrated benefits, but, it is the discovery of a couple of compounds that have drawn recent excitement. These two constituents or groups of constituents, namely hericenones and Amyloban®, have been found to be major contributors to Lion’s Mane’s brain benefits. Unfortunately, they are not water soluble, so would not be found in the water-extracted products to any significant degree. In order to obtain this key active compound, Mushroom Wisdom developed a proprietary extraction process to draw this important health-supporting* compounds out. Not only to pull them out, but at concentration levels that are relevant to the desired actions and results. They can be found in the Lion’s Mane Amyloban product and are together called Amycenone®. It is the unique and powerful holistic synergy of Amycenone that yield many of the amazing Lion’s Mane benefits.

Maitake D-fraction

Mushroom Wisdom is probably best known for its unique, research-supported Maitake D-fraction®, in fact, the previous name was Maitake Products. The D-fraction came out of initial studies that found the Maitake mushroom to have promising immune-supporting benefits.* Further research looked into what is the best way to augment and make available these promising immune actions. Researchers went through a number of extract versions and found that one particular extraction yielded the greatest results.* They found that when the Maitake mushroom was refined to a certain point, there was a resulting improvement in immune response. However, if you refined it any further, the results began to decrease. Thus came to be this proprietary extraction that maximized in the most promising effects, the Maitake D-fraction. Comparative studies have confirmed Maitake D-fraction’s spot at the top of mushroom supporting supplements.*

Maitake SX-fraction

As we are seeing with a number of mushrooms today, and as mentioned earlier with regards to Lion’s Mane, researchers are discovering new health supporting applications for them. The same is true for the Maitake mushroom. While the earliest research focused on the immune-related aspects, further research, led by Dr. Harry Preuss, MD, at Georgetown University and Dr. Sensuke Konno, PhD, at New York Medical College, found that other compounds in the Maitake mushrooms resulted in positive effects in supporting healthy blood sugar levels.* Looking into what constituents were most effective at creating this much-needed response, researchers developed an extraction process that led to the development of the SX-fraction®. The efficacy of this standardized extraction of Maitake was further confirmed in both lab and clinical studies. While both are derived from the Maitake mushroom, they are unique, proprietary extraction, different from one another, with the SX-fraction oriented to supporting healthy blood sugar levels and the Maitake D-fraction most useful for supporting healthy immune function.

Science Complementing Ancient Wisdom

We live in exciting times for natural “remedies.” We have access to the traditional wisdom dating back sometimes hundreds and even thousands of years. We also now have a rapidly growing number of researchers exploring these natural substances that just a few years ago were quite commonly disregarded, at least by most of the medical and research communities. One of Mushroom Wisdom’s primary goals is this marriage, bringing together the hands-on wisdom found in traditional medicine with the latest science and research. Mushroom Wisdom has supported, and continues to support, researchers in these ongoing efforts; the results of which can be seen in the potent and effective unique extractions we now call Lion’s Mane Amyloban, Maitake D-fraction, and SX-fraction. Give them a try and see for yourself.

As we learn more about human health and wellness, the interconnectedness of our body systems becomes increasingly apparent. One important area of research over the last 15 years has been the distinct and significant interconnectedness of the digestive tract and the brain—often referred to as the "gut-brain connection."[cite:1] It has been discovered that nerve tissue, such as the vagus nerve, signals sensory and motor information directly between the intestinal tract and the brain. There are numerous immune influences known to occur in the digestive tract that impact the whole body, including the brain. And it has been found that the microflora of our oral and intestinal tract impacts our immune system and nutritional standing in numerous complex ways.[fda:note]

Along with new discoveries about the gut-brain connection, more research has focused on how mushrooms can be a beneficial support for both the intestinal tract and the brain. It is well known that numerous mushroom species support the immune response in humans. While early research on mushrooms focused on the fruit body portion of the fungal life cycle, increasingly, research on mushroom mycelium has indicated that it also serves to support the immune response.[fda:note]

When grown for use in human supplements, mushroom mycelium requires a growth medium, called a substrate. The mycelium consumes the substrate in a process of fermentation not unlike yogurt or tempeh. When separated out in a laboratory setting, research has shown that both the mycelium and the fermented substrate are robustly immunologically active.[cite:2] Products containing both the mycelium and the fermented metabolites can be significant allies as we hope to encourage active yet balanced immune functioning in healthy individuals.[cite:3][fda:note]

Further research on mycelium and fruit bodies of different species like lion’s mane, reishi, and turkey tail indicate a wide range of potential supportive activity for both our digestive health and nerve and brain health. Lion’s mane has been studied for its support of cognitive functioning, intestinal tissue integrity, and day-to-day nerve generative activity. It has also been shown to support prebiotic activity for probiotic microflora.[cite:4,5]. The reishi mushroom has been found to support nervous system functioning and provides prebiotic fiber for our probiotic microflora.[cite:6,7,8,9] Likewise, turkey tail has been researched for its support of sympathetic nervous system functioning and prebiotic activity.[cite:1,2,10] And all three of these important beneficial mushroom species support immune modulatory activity.[fda:note]

Support for the gut-brain connection doesn’t end with beneficial mushrooms. Probiotic intestinal microflora appear to correlate with optimal brain function and balanced mood. Beyond Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria probiotics, Bacillus coagulans has been studied in humans and found to support balanced mood, intestinal tract function, and balanced immune functioning.[cite:11,12] Bacillus coagulans is a shelf-stable probiotic that does not need refrigeration and has excellent survival through the digestive tract to colonize the large intestine.[cite:13] All of these factors point to B. coagulans as yet another strong ally for intestinal, immune and brain health.[fda:note]

Host Defense® MycoBotanicals® Microbiome[fda:note] combines reishi, lion’s mane, and turkey tail with Bacillus coagulans and two herbs: burdock root and marshmallow root. Combining these ingredients increases the convenience for daily use to support our digestion, brain, and natural immunity.[fda:note]

If there was a magic bean for the prevention of high-risk HPV— also known as human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection responsible for 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer — I would grow one for every sexually active adult in the world. As of today, that bean does not exist. Even more disappointingly, neither does a cure.

The good news is that researchers are working on it, and they are making progress with a Japanese medicinal mushroom extract. It’s not a magic bean, but it is both real and effective. Let’s back up to better understand high-risk HPV infections, and why it’s so important to find an effective treatment.

Millions of Women are Infected with HPV and Most Don’t Even Know It

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting more than 79 million people. This includes the more than 80-percent of sexually active women who will become infected with the virus at least once in their lives.

Low-risk HPV— the kind of HPV that doesn’t cause cancer— is commonly associated with physical symptoms that send women to the gynecologist. High-risk HPV— the kind that causes vulval, vaginal, anal, and cervical cancer— has no physical symptoms. The only way to detect it is with a tissue swab. What’s more, high-risk HPV can remain latent in the body for long periods of time, reactivating long after the original infection, meaning that even those in monogamous relationships can become actively infected.

This is why routine visits to the gynecologist and Co-Tests (a Pap smear and HPV test in one) which provide early detection for HPV and other conditions— are so important. Yet, nearly 25 percent of American women are overdue for routine gynecological exams, and there’s overwhelming evidence that women are turning to the internet before medical doctors. This could have potentially dire consequences for those infected with “invisible” high-risk HPV.

The Internet is Full of “Magic Beans” for Clearing HPV Naturally and That’s Problematic

A health behaviors survey from the Pew Research Center found that more than 70 percent of Americans have searched online for health information, and 35 percent have used the internet to self-diagnose a condition.

When it comes to HPV treatments, a significant amount of what’s published on the internet is about magic beans; they’re not real. A quick search returns hundreds of articles claiming myriad vitamins and minerals— like garlic, green tea, vitamin C, and vitamin D— have the power to prevent HPV infections altogether. These articles are based on limited evidence taken out of context, and in some cases, folklore. What’s more is that many popular articles suggest unsafe serving sizes and applications, which can cause gastrointestinal or mental distress, mask low blood sugar in diabetics, and even cause acid burns to highly sensitive body parts.

The simple truth is that there are only three things that can prevent an HPV infection: abstinence, safe sex, and the HPV vaccine. And even those may not guarantee you’ll remain HPV-free for life.

Most healthy adults can naturally clear active HPV infections within two years because their immune systems are already getting the job done. For those who can’t clear the virus, medical researchers are doing something about it using proven science.

Researchers Are Using a Japanese Medicinal Mushroom Extract to Do What Other Supplements Can’t: Fight High-Risk HPV Infections

A team of researchers from UTHealth Houston have been working to determine what it takes to support the immune system in clearing active, persistent high-risk HPV infections, and whether AHCC supplementation can make a difference. AHCC is a unique cultured extract derived from the roots of lentinula edodes, or shiitake, mushrooms. A double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health confirmed that AHCC is effective in the treatment of active high-risk HPV infections. Results showed that daily use of AHCC supported the immune system in clearing active HPV infections in two-thirds of study participants within six months.

While there’s no formal medical treatment for active high-risk HPV infections, there is now reliable scientific evidence supporting the use of AHCC to aid the immune system in clearing them. For gynecological practitioners like me, this is encouraging news. When a patient tests positive for HPV or develops dysplasia, we can recommend AHCC supplementation in addition to frequent monitoring and procedural intervention. Talk to your doctor, not a search engine, about your HPV status and discuss whether you could benefit from AHCC supplementation.

Beneficial mushrooms have been used for centuries to support human health. From energy and stamina to cognition and memory, and from sleep and cardiovascular support to support for liver health and the microbiome, the various species of beneficial mushroom cover a wide range of system-specific needs. But one thing they all have in common is that both beneficial mushroom mycelium and fruit bodies have been extensively researched and shown to support an engaged and modulated immune response.[fda:note]

At Fungi Perfecti and Host Defense, one of the most significant outcomes of our research has been discovering the enormous value of mushroom mycelium, the root-like structure of mushrooms. Mycelium is the metabolicallyactive and longest-living structure of the mushroom organism that contains numerous novel compounds shown to benefit human health.[fda:note]

Mycelium is the longest living part of the fungal organism, consisting of intricate filaments that are only one cell-wall thick. Despite its delicate stature, mycelium is quite formidable, growing for months, years, and in some cases, potentially centuries. Mycelium can navigate through sometimes inhospitable ecosystems. It is capable of expanding its reach through a habitat filled with millions of microbes while communicating chemically with the surrounding environment, devising complex chemical responses to whatever challenges it encounters.[fda:note]

Mycelium creates its own immune response that supports not only the health and vitality of the fungal organism, but also supports the health of the surrounding ecosystem. The mycelial immune response is often the ecosystem’s immune response. Scientific research, targeted studies, and widespread use in holistic health and wellness plans demonstrate that when mushroom mycelium is harnessed in the form of supplements, human beings also benefit from its significant supportive power.[fda:note]

In order to grow mushroom mycelium, a food source called a “substrate” is used. The mycelium then breaks down and converts the substrate in a process of fermentation not unlike that of tempeh or yogurt. Host Defense® uses an organic brown rice substrate to grow their mycelium and then they use the mycelium, the fermented rice, and the fermented metabolites all together in their supplements. This provides a far greater range of metabolically active compounds than what can be found in mushroom fruit bodies alone. Recent research has shown that in Host Defense® products, both the mushroom mycelium and the fermented substrate are immunologically active and offer a complementary array of health-supporting compounds.[fda:note]

The mycelium has been shown to robustly engage NK cells, NK T cells, Monocytes, B cells, and T lymphocytes. And, the fermented rice has been shown to engage the immune system’s checks and balances to keep it from overreacting, thereby maintaining a balanced response within the immune system’s “Goldilocks Zone”.[fda:note]

If presented with two pictures, one of a mushroom fruit body and one of mushroom mycelium, and asked to point to the mushroom, most people would point to the fruit body without hesitation. Because mushroom fruit bodies are so easily identifiable to the majority of people, and there is much less awareness outside of mycology circles regarding mycelium, it’s easy for mushroom supplement companies to emphasize the importance of the fruit body when marketing their products.

Similarly, it’s easy for those same mushroom supplement companies to dismiss the use of mycelium as somehow less beneficial than fruit body–only supplements. They will often put particular emphasis on the high beta-glucan content found in mushroom fruit bodies. But the truth is, both mushroom mycelium and the mushroom fruit body offer benefits to human health.

Host Defense® uses the mycelium, the fermented substrate, and the fermented metabolites all together. This provides a greater range of metabolically active compounds than those found in mushroom fruit bodies alone. Research has shown that in Host Defense® products, the mushroom mycelium and the fermented substrate are both immunologically active and offer a complementary array of health-supporting compounds.[fda:note] The mycelium robustly engages NK cells, NK T cells, monocytes, B cells, and T lymphocytes. Note that the immune cells associated with allergic reactivity like mast cells and eosinophils are NOT engaged. The fermented rice engages the immune system’s checks and balances to keep it from overreacting, thereby maintaining our immune response within the “Goldilocks Zone” (not too little, not too much, but just right!).[fda:note]

While part of the immune activity is due to beta-glucan content, polysaccharides and other compounds found within Host Defense® products are also responsible for immune activation and immune modulation. Singling out beta-glucans as the only active compound neglects to take into account the complex chemistry of a whole mushroom product. Use of mushroom mycelium captures a more extensive range of beneficial compounds.

Last year we collaborated with NIS, Inc., a third-party lab based in Oregon, to publish an open-access, peer-reviewed research article in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine about the immune benefits of mushroom mycelium and fermented substrate. And just this year we published a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Inflammation Research about the efficacy of the Host Defense® MyCommunity, a 17-mushroom species blend that is shown to actively engage the immune system.

At Host Defense®, we follow the science. And years of industry-based research, along with both internal and third-party testing, tells us that mycelium-based mushroom supplements offer significant immunological support. In addition, research also confirms that the fermented substrate used to grow Host Defense® mycelium is also immunologically active.

That’s why we use mushroom mycelium in ALL of our products—because it works![fda:note]

Medicinal mushrooms are a highly popular and respected category of botanicals. One, more than all others, put the entire category on the map and is considered the most highly revered in Chinese herbal traditions—reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum).

Historical Use of Reishi

While  most known by its Japanese name reishi, this mushroom (polypore) has been used in traditional herbal practices of China for literally thousands of years.

It once was the exclusive domain of emperors and Taoist monks. Emperors hoped it would impart longevity. Taoists used it to cultivate a peaceful state of well-being and to enjoy a long, disease-free life.

Its benefits were considered so critical to royalty that, among commoners, its use was a beheading offense.

Modern Studies About Reishi

When the modern scientific literature is reviewed, we find there are few botanicals that positively affect physiological responses as broadly as reishi; in fact, there are few systems it does not positively affect.

Reishi and the Immune System

The research detailing the effects of reishi on immunity literally fills books and is simultaneously extremely complex and simple.

Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity

In the simplest terms, there are two primary aspects of the immune system: innate and adaptive immunity.

Reishi supports both innate and adaptive immune responses; it is difficult to get better than that.

• The Innate Immune System

  Innate immunity is our oldest, most primitive evolutionary defense protective system. When infections attack, innate immunity stimulates a host of chemical immune defenses that identify bacteria, activate immune cells, and promote clearance of dead cells—immediately preventing the spread of foreign disease-causing agents throughout the body.

  The innate immune system also teaches the adaptive immune system how to identify and remove foreign substances present in organs, tissues, blood, and lymph.

• The Adaptive Immune System

  While innate immunity offers an immediate protective response, the adaptive immune system acquires defenses such as antibodies against specific pathogens and remembers how to fight them in the future; a very cogent discussion for our present times.

How Does Reishi Work?

In practical terms, here is the reishi rundown.

• Adaptogenic Properties

  It is a premier adaptogen, which means it helps us to adapt to physical and psychological stresses and changes.

• Protective Effects

  It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antiallergic activity, meaning it conveys protective effects whether we are under attack by colds, viruses, or allergens.

• Liver and Heart

  Reishi has been widely researched for its ability to protect the liver and heart from damage, has potent anti-inflammatory activities, and protects against bronchitis.

• Cancer Treatment

  Reishi is one of the primary botanicals used for increasing immune cells needed for defense against cancer and for decreasing cells that suppress immune function.

  When taken after chemo and/or radiation therapies for cancer, scientific investigation suggests it restores immunocompetency, thereby increasing one’s chance of survival.

Aside from being diligent about commonsense practices like handwashing, is there anything you can do to remain healthy during flu season, especially as the threat of COVID-19 looms?

Your best bet is to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.

What is AHCC Mushroom Extract?

AHCC stands for active hexose correlated compound. It’s an extract of hybridized shiitake mushroom mycelia (root system).

What is ​AHCC Used For?

AHCC’s oligosaccharides are linked to immunomodulatory effects.

Does AHCC Have a Scientific Basis?

It has been studied by various institutions, including Harvard Medical School and Yale University School of Medicine, over 20 years.

Has AHCC Been Tested on People?

In both human and animal studies, AHCC has been shown to activate and enhance immune cells in the body.

How Does AHCC Help Immunity?

It has been shown to aid white blood cells called NK (natural killer) cells and NKT (natural killer T) cells.

What are "Natural Killer" Cells?

These white blood cells are part of the body’s innate defense mechanism, and immediately attacks against viral threats.

Enhanced cell response has been linked to the ability to clear infections more quickly.

Is AHCC Effective Against the Coronavirus?

While it has not yet been evaluated for covid, AHCC has shown to have protective effects against infectious diseases, including H1N1 influenza, H5N1 avian (bird) flu, and West Nile virus.

Testing AHCC Against Infectious Diseases

• Swine Flu (Influenza A virus subtype H1N1)

  In one study, mice supplemented with AHCC showed increased survival against H1N1. The mice were able to maintain body weight as opposed to controls, which indicates less severe infections. AHCC enhanced NK cell activity in the lungs and shortened recovery time.

• West Nile Virus

  In a 2009 study, mice were infected with what should have been a lethal dose of West Nile virus. One group received AHCC at various intervals before and after being infected. The survival rate of mice treated with AHCC was more than twice that of the controls. AHCC also increased the number of antibodies to that virus in the blood.

• Bird Flu (Influenza A virus subtype H5N1)

  In another study, mice were infected with the flu virus after receiving the H5N1 vaccine. Eighty percent of the vaccinated mice survived; 100 percent of the mice that also received AHCC lived.

  In another study, mice were infected with 100 times the 50 percent lethal dose of the avian flu. All the control mice that did not receive AHCC died within 12 days. Thirty percent of the group given AHCC before infection were alive at 28 days.

• Seasonal Flu

  In one human study, people received the seasonal flu vaccine. Some of the group also received 3 grams of AHCC daily for several weeks. Blood samples showed that those who received AHCC in addition to the vaccine showed significantly improved numbers of NK cells and T cells. The increase in cells was most notable in people over 60.