Chaga mushroom, scientifically called Inonotus obliquus, is a functional mushroom used as a supplement to support healthier aging. If this appeals to you, there are a few things you should know about chaga mushroom supplements. Every Chaga product is not equal when it comes to the criteria affecting their quality.
When choosing the best quality supplements, you must consider the way they are grown, sourced, processed, and certified. In doing so, you ensure the product of your choice can provide you with the bioactive compounds you seek without any contaminants. Today, you will read a few facts about chaga mushrooms and the main considerations for selecting supplements.
Why Chaga?
The potential perks of Chaga are associated with the bioactive compounds contained in the conk, a hardened black mass of fungal mycelium found on birch and beech trees in the cold regions of the northern hemisphere when growing in the wild. Traditionally, chaga has been consumed as a tea prepared by soaking the hard conks in water heated between 150oF and 180oF. This process ensures the hot water-soluble polysaccharides and antioxidants, such as ergothioneine, are most accessible. These compounds support the following.
1. Healthier Aging
Research conducted on tissue culture in the lab has shown antioxidant potential in the polysaccharides of Chaga mushroom supplements. Many people use them to combat oxidative stress, causing premature aging through damage to body tissues, cells, and DNA.
2. Energizing
Chaga has a mild stimulating effect. This fact, along with its slight vanilla flavor, made it a popular substitute for coffee in a few European countries during World War II. Back then, coffee and sugar were rationed. As a result, chaga was the only option they had.
3. Immune System & Gut Health
The polysaccharides in chaga, including alpha and beta-glucans, support a healthy immune system, while the prebiotic fiber promotes a beneficial gut flora.
4. Adaptogenic Balance
Chaga is an adaptogenic mushroom that supports the body’s ability to maintain homeostatic balance despite all the stresses encountered in a day. Taking chaga supplements daily can support the body’s ability to adapt and recover from stress.
Things Affecting Product Quality
While Chaga has been part of traditional medicinal practices across the northern hemisphere for hundreds of years, its use as a dietary supplement in the health and wellness space is more recent. As there are so many products available these days, buyers must evaluate their quality and safety before buying.
Sourcing
The popularity of this mushroom and the supplements derived from it has led to over-harvesting, threatening the supply of wildcrafted chaga conks. You should buy supplements from a brand that employs modern technology to grow chaga safely and sustainably under the Food and Drug Administration’s current Good Manufacturing Practices standards.
Method of Growing
The best brands facilitate the cultivation of chaga mycelium on grain substrates under controlled, hygienic conditions. They take every step necessary to reduce the potential for contamination. This allows the brand to offer a sustainable and consistent supply of high-quality supplements.
Processing
The best brands control the entire manufacturing process from the beginning to the end in their state-of-the-art facilities. They grow, manufacture, process, and pack chaga mushrooms and supplements under the strictest standards to deliver organic whole-food nutritional supplements with life-altering benefits.
Final Words
To offer the best possible chaga mushroom supplements to customers, the best brands ensure each product batch undergoes independent testing by a third party. This provides a reliable assessment regarding the quality of each batch.