Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Mushroom Supplement

As with all natural wellness products, there is a range of functional mushroom options to choose from. All are differentiated by quality, formulation, sourcing, packaging, pricing, certifications and method of consumption (e.g., capsule, tea, powder, tincture). This can all get a bit confusing, particularly for the beginner.  

But fear not! To help you make up your mind, in this blog we cover our top tips for choosing the best quality product. So, you can make an informed choice and ultimately get the best value for money.  

2. The Best Form of Consumption    

There are many different forms of taking mushrooms; you can eat them whole, in a powder, extracted, encapsulated, in gummies, tinctures and even in drinks. A modern-day mega trend is mushroom coffees, which offer a surprisingly tasty alternative to regular coffee whilst also making it easy to stay consistent with your supplementation.  

The Shroomex Magic Brew blend is a great option if you're curious about trying a mushroom coffee. It tastes delicious and packs a huge dose of Lion's Mane, Cordyceps and Chaga in a single cup of brew.  

In general, we advise against using mushroom tinctures. Tinctures are created by immersing the mushroom's fruiting body in alcohol, resulting in a final product that contains more alcohol than mushroom compounds. Typically, tinctures may be less concentrated than high-quality powder extracts.  

So, the best options we recommend are capsules, powder, or mushroom coffee. Whichever form tickles your fancy!  

3. Fruiting Body vs Mycelium on Grain  

When purchasing mushroom supplements, it's important to be aware that some companies may use fillers in their products, like mycelium on grain or mycelial biomass, even though they label themselves as a ‘mushroom supplement’.   

Mycelium on grain is the mushroom's rootlike structure grown out on a grain. This mycelium and grain are ground together, which results in a product that is high in grain starch, but low in concentration of the mushroom’s actual goodness. You could be missing out on the very reason you chose the product in the first place.

A high-quality extract should be made using only 100% whole mushroom fruiting body - the recognisable cap and stem of a mushroom. 

This is the part of the mushroom traditionally used and valued for its rich profile of natural compounds, like beta glucan, terpenes and polyphenols. A typical fruiting body extract typically contains 20-60% beta-glucan, for example this study which found that Turkey Tail contains up to 60.79% beta-glucan. Whereas a mycelium on grain extract may contain less than half of that in comparison. 

Fruiting body powder and extracts are also an extensively researched and studied part of fungi. Taking all that into account, we highly recommend choosing 100% whole fruiting body extracts.    

4. Certified Organic Ingredients 

Organic certifications are highly recommended when it comes to mushroom supplements. For mushroom extracts to be organic certified, they need to pass organic standards, which set a high bar for quality and purity. Look for a product with organic certifications from a reputable regulatory body, such as the Soil Association or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

An organic certification is a good indication, but it's not the be-all and end-all regarding mushroom supplement quality. In fact, there are a lot of companies that sell mycelium on grain powder but still display an organic certification. Organic certifications do not make the key distinction between fruiting body and mycelium and don’t tell you much about the product's concentration or purity. In other words, they're not a guarantee the product will be high quality.  

The gold standard should be a certified organic fruiting body extract, with specified levels of mushroom ingredients.  

5. Source of Origin: The Birthplace of Functional Mushrooms 

Quality extracts start with quality mushrooms. You may be surprised to learn that some of the most exceptional mushroom extracts are usually grown in China, not the EU or the US. 

These mushrooms are grown deep in the mountains of the Far East, the birthplace and capital of functional mushrooms. It is not without reason that mushrooms have been firmly anchored in traditional Asian wellness practices for thousands of years, and the cradle of functional mushrooms is China – just as the cradle of champagne is firmly rooted in Champagne.  

In the tranquil forested mountains, clean air and crystal-clear mineral water are bountiful and produce some of the highest quality, purest mushrooms anywhere in the world. Sourcing ingredients from their true source and habitat is one of the best ways to ensure exceptional quality.  

One of the main benefits of cultivating mushrooms in China is that they can leverage economies of scale that are hard to match in the EU and US. Producing mushrooms on a large, industrial scale is expensive. At the moment, it is economically challenging in Western markets to produce high quality fruiting body extracts at scale. This is why you’ll often find locally produced extracts made of mycelium on grain; it’s far cheaper to produce than fruiting body, but does come with a much higher grain starch content and less of the mushrooms you want. 

In China, wild mushroom strains harvested from the deep forests are cultivated using certified organic farming methods – free from herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilisers. The mushrooms are grown in greenhouses that also make use of natural lighting and airflow. In addition, expert cultivators carefully monitor growing conditions, such as temperature and humidity, to produce mushrooms with high concentrations of naturally occurring compounds like beta glucan. 

Strict quality monitoring during all stages of cultivation is one of the best ways to maximise the quality and purity of the final product. 

6. Ignore Extraction Ratios – Look for % of Natural Compounds  

A lot of beginners get fooled into thinking that high extraction ratios = high-quality product, but this is not automatically the case.  

The extraction ratio refers to the amount of raw mushroom used to produce the finished extract. For example, a 20:1 extract ratio means that 20g of raw mushrooms were used to make 1g of extract.  

A very high ratio extract doesn’t necessarily equate to a concentration of natural compounds in the product. It’s possible for a 20:1 extract to be lower in concentration of certain natural compounds than a 1:1 extract.  

What you really want to look for is the % of naturally occurring mushroom compounds contained within the product. For example, in our Shroomex Red Reishi, we have tested our sample at over 64% beta glucans, and publish our test report from Eurofins so you can see exactly what’s inside the product.

7. The Importance of Dual Extraction 

Another key consideration is to look for dual-extracted products, which is important for bioavailability and may allow your body to absorb the natural mushroom compounds.  

Take, for example, the Reishi mushroom. It’s hard and woody and doesn’t make for good eating.  

Our bodies weren’t designed to break down the tough cell walls of mushrooms, which is why we need to extract these compounds from the mushroom fruiting body.  

Look for both a hot water and alcohol extract, AKA a dual extract. Dual extracts can offer a broader range of beta glucan (water soluble) and terpene (alcohol soluble) compounds available, so you get the full spectrum of compounds that mushrooms have to offer.  

8. Sustainability is Key 

Sustainability can be interpreted in many ways. In this case, it refers to the mushroom-growing procedure and approach, as well as product packaging. From a harvesting standpoint, poor growing techniques and standards can result in damage to the mushroom's ecosystem and the surrounding environment, which is costly and unnecessary.  

Look for a company using sustainable growing and harvesting practices, which generally means they are extracting products from cultivated mushrooms rather than decimating wild populations.  

The impact of sustainability starts at the individual level, but it's equally essential for businesses to step up and take responsibility. Some profit-driven companies might cut corners, sidelining sustainability or merely using it as a marketing ploy.  

Therefore, it's essential to verify whether a company adopts a forward-thinking sustainability mission. Even if sustainability isn’t your top priority, it says a lot about what the brand stands for. The unwillingness to embrace sustainability is usually an indication of a lack of genuine care for both their products and customers. 

9. Why Manufacturing Standards Matter 

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are an excellent guideline for the supplement industry that provides a system of rigorous processes, procedures, and clarity to consumers.   

When it comes to manufacturing standards, it's important to do your research and choose a reputable brand. Look for brands that use high-quality, organic mushrooms and companies that follow Good Manufacturing Practices, otherwise known as GMPs. It's also a good idea to check for third-party certifications, such as the Soil Association Organic seal, USDA Organic seal or NSF International, which certify that the product meets specific standards for purity and quality.  

While unregulated products are still held to standards driven by government food standards agencies, supplements do not require safety and efficacy testing to be approved. This means as consumers, we must do our research first before buying any product.   

Many invest more time researching a new vacuum cleaner than they do investigating the quality of supplements they'll consume on a daily basis.  

Don’t be one of these people, and always do your due diligence on consumable products, especially ones you intend to take regularly.  

10. Always Check for Third-Party Lab Testing

One of the most important factors when buying mushroom supplements is third-party lab testing. By a mile, it is the best indication of quality, safety and purity. The numbers don’t lie when it comes to verified third-party testing.  

If a company is unable to provide certified third-party lab test results, it’s an indication that their product may be of low quality.  

Watch out for COAs that are not from an accredited lab, such as Eurofins. A lot of brands pass off homemade or doctored COAs as legitimate lab test results. However, these are known to be extremely unreliable. Without a well-known and verified lab like Eurofins signing off on the testing, the results cannot be verified. Some laboratories are also considered dry labs. A dry lab is one that generates inaccurate testing services for companies for a fee.

When looking at legitimate lab test results, there are a few things to consider. First is to ensure a high beta glucan content, since these are the primary compounds found within mushrooms that researchers are studying.   

You also want to make sure that the test results show the extract is free from heavy metal or pesticide contamination.  

Third-party lab testing is one of the best ways to ensure the quality, purity and authenticity of the final product, so you can be confident in your purchasing decisions.  

11. Integrating into Your Life  

When integrating functional mushrooms into your life, keep in mind that mushroom supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle, even though they can be a fantastic aid on your wellness journey. 

Make sure you are eating a nutrient-rich diet, using mushroom supplements as an addition, not a replacement.  

Whichever form of supplement you choose to take (capsule, powder, etc.), make sure you test things out to see what integrates best with your lifestyle. If you're busy and looking for speed and convenience, then nothing beats capsules or Magic Brew. Since Magic Brew replaces your regular morning cup of coffee, it's quick, easy and delicious!  

12. Choosing Serving Sizes and Frequencies  

It's important to pay attention to serving size. The optimal serving size for you will usually depend on how concentrated an extract you are dealing with.  

The difference can be dramatic; for example, non-extracted mushrooms may require much larger serving sizes than extracts.  

For a highly concentrated extract like our Shroomex capsules, the serving size is 1000mg, which equates to 2 capsules. This equates to over 20g of raw mushrooms! 

So, when buying a mushroom supplement, always read the label to check the serving size and ensure you're taking the recommended amount.

Remember that serving size also depends on a few other factors, the main ones being body weight and tolerance. In general, the recommended serving sizes for supplements will err on the side of caution. Since these products have to cater to everyone, the serving size on the label will always be the lowest and safest possible. 

If it’s your first time taking mushroom supplements, start by trying a lower amount first and gradually tapering upwards towards the recommended serving size. 

In terms of frequency, most people take mushroom supplements once per day, usually in the morning before breakfast.  

13. Where to Buy the Best Mushroom Supplements 

When it comes to finding the best brand to buy the highest quality mushrooms, make sure you are getting an organically certified, high-concentration extract with accessible third-party lab results. Find out why Shroomex meets the standard by reading our Quality Promise.

It’s a good idea to check prices and see what other customers are saying in the reviews. This will give you a solid grasp of which products and brands work well.  

Conclusion

Mushroom supplements can be a convenient and potentially transformational addition to your diet. There are loads of mushroom supplement brands out there, all of varying quality. You must be careful what you buy! Purchasing a high-quality mushroom supplement really boils down to finding verified, concentrated, and pure extracts. Always do your research and choose a high-quality, third-party lab-tested brand before starting any new supplement regimen.