Mushroom supplements are becoming increasingly popular with people seeking natural products to enhance their nutrition and health. Their vitamin and antioxidant content are among the most important reasons why people are turning to mushrooms to boost their wellness. Other phytonutrients they contain are less well-researched, but are believed to hold promise. However, for the purpose of this article, we’ll look at the antioxidants and vitamins that can be abundantly found in mushrooms. What are Vitamins and Antioxidants? Aren’t They the Same Thing? Without getting bogged down in terminology, it’s interesting to know that while most vitamins are either proven antioxidants or have antioxidant properties, not all antioxidants are vitamins. Minerals like selenium and manganese can also work as antioxidants as can a wide range of organic compounds that aren’t vitamins at all. All antioxidants share the chemical property of being electron donors, but it would be a mistake to believe that all antioxidants act in the same way. Each one has its own mode of action. Their roles in nutrition may be similar, but they aren’t exactly the same. As for vitamins, although not all of them are recognised as powerful antioxidants, they are nevertheless substances we need for optimal body function. We only need them in small amounts, but without them, we will not function as well as we can or we might become unwell. Vitamin D in Mushrooms Vitamin D deficiency is common in today’s world and it's linked to reduced immunity, lack of energy, and even depression. The mushroom species used in functional mushroom supplements can provide a much-needed serving of D-Vitamins. Mushrooms’ Vitamin D develops when they’re exposed to sunshine, so your supermarket’s button mushrooms, grown in the dark, won’t be of much help as a source of Vitamin D. Functional mushrooms, grown where there’s exposure to natural light, on the other hand, are a very rich source of this vital vitamin. The Grass & Co. Mushrooms are cultivated in greenhouses on substrates native to each mushroom with natural airflow and lighting. Our BIOME Chaga Mushrooms Capsules include added Vitamin D and anti-inflammatory adaptogens, thereby enhancing the potential benefits of this intriguing mushroom. If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, supplementing your Vitamin D will be especially important, and mushrooms are the only non-animal-based, natural source of Vitamin D that you can include in your diet. To this end, Grass & Co.’s Mushrooms capsules are vegan-friendly to help you get the boost you need without compromising your dietary choices. B-Vitamins in Mushrooms B-Vitamins may also account for their share in the positive effects of using mushrooms as a dietary supplement. Functional mushrooms contain riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, niacin and folate: important B-Vitamins we need for overall health. While riboflavin helps with the production of red blood cells and oxygen transport in the body, niacin benefits digestion and helps to keep your skin in good condition. Pantothenic acid’s primary roles are in maintaining the nervous system as well as the production of hormones. Niacin helps us to turn food into energy, and helps to keep the nervous system and skin healthy. Folate also has a very important role to play. It is involved with the formation of genetic material, has a part in the metabolism of protein and helps to break down homocysteine, an amino acid that can be very harmful if levels are allowed to rise. Our FOCUS Lion’s Mane Mushrooms supplement is further enriched with Vitamin B12 which plays a role in cell metabolism and nerve function - and the latter is particularly important since the supplement aims to help with achieving mental clarity. Antioxidants in Functional Mushrooms B-Vitamins aren't really antioxidants, but combined with antioxidants they may help to increase immunity. D-vitamins, on the other hand, are very definitely not only vitamins, but also antioxidants. Mushroom antioxidants include a large number of compounds that fall under the broad groupings of carotenoids, phenolics, tocopherols, amino acids, and polysaccharides. Individual nutrients like ergosterol, ascorbic acid and minerals with antioxidant properties, including selenium, copper, and zinc are also present in mushroom supplements. Antioxidants fight “free radicals,” also known as “reactive oxygen species.” They’re waste substances that our body produces as it interacts with foods and our environment. If they aren’t processed by the body with the help of antioxidants (some of which the body produces by itself) they accumulate, resulting in “oxidative stress,” a condition in which cells and the functioning of the body are adversely affected. Do We Need Extra Vitamins and Antioxidants? Every source that we read tells us that we don’t need supplements if we eat a healthy, balanced diet. There’s just one problem: most of us don’t do so, and those who try to eat well struggle to consistently prepare and eat the varied range of fresh food this requires. When we consider that our diets should include five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, plus some dairy and protein, and that we should vary the sources of these, it’s easy to see how difficult it can be to maintain a healthy diet in our busy lifestyles. A public health survey conducted in the UK showed that only 30 percent of adults were getting their “five a day.” Additionally, we’re less able to absorb nutrients as we age making us prone to deficiencies in Vitamins B and D among others - even when we eat well. These facts are widely known, leading nearly half the UK population to turn to supplements. In doing so, we prefer to choose natural sources, particularly when we’re already doing our best to maintain our health through good food choices. No wonder, then, that mushroom supplements are becoming something of a phenomenon, both in the UK, and around the world. If you’d ready to try functional mushroom supplements, Grass & Co. offers you a carefully-selected collection of the most popular functional mushrooms in the world today. Besides benefiting you with servings of antioxidants and vitamins, they’re specifically chosen to combat some of the most common issues that lead people to turn to supplements and strive for better nutrition. For example, POWER Shiitake Mushrooms Capsules may help to combat feelings of fatigue and reduced energy, while DREAM Reishi Mushrooms Capsules may enhance sleep and help to re-energise you. Feeling stressed out? RELAX Maitake Mushrooms Capsules contain natural ingredients that promote calm and relaxation. Or if you’re looking to improve your mental focus, clarity and alertness you can try our Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Capsules. Choose what’s right for you based on the challenges you face, and enjoy the benefits of enhanced nutrition. Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. More about functional mushrooms
