Mushrooms like Lion's Mane and Oysters are considered specialty culinary mushrooms. There are many health benefits to eating specialty mushrooms. It's important to cook your mushrooms for about 15 minutes to break down a substance called Chitin and allow you to absorb the full nutritional benefits.
Mushrooms are high in the following:
Protein
Protein is an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. Protein is made of chemical 'building blocks' called amino acids. You body uses these amino acids as an energy source, to build and repair muscles and bones, and to produce hormones and enzymes.
Fiber
Fiber helps to regulate the body's blood sugar and keeps hunger and blood sugar in check. It also helps to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and a healthy digestive system.
Calcium
We all know calcium helps to build strong bones. It also helps your heart, muscles and nerves to function properly and may aid in preventing cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Vitamin D
Mushrooms are one of the only "plant based" sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps with energy levels, brain health, building strong bones, and may even help to prevent some cancers. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. Vitamin D deficiency may even make you more susceptible to viruses like COVID-19.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is very important for cellular regeneration and metabolism. It plays a major role in energy production, brain function and may help fight off infections.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from free radicals which can cause stress and damage to many organs and bodily functions.
Iron
Iron is an important mineral needed for health development. Too much iron can be bad for you so it's best to find iron in your foods because they can be easier to absorb and use. Iron is necessary to produce some hormones, especially those associated with thyroid function. Iron is used by the body to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Folic Acid
Like iron, folic acid helps to make healthy red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body. Without folic acid, the red blood cells that we produce can be abnormally large and will not work properly which can cause low energy and other symptoms.
Phosphorus
Along with iron and folic acid, phosphorus is needed to build strong healthy bones. A phosphorus deficiency can cause anemia, muscle weakness, bone pain, a higher risk of infection, a feeling of burning or prickling in the skin, and confusion.
Potassium
Potassium helps your nerves to function properly and muscles to contract just the right amount. It helps your heartbeat to stay regular and to move nutrients into cells and waste out of cells. Potassium can also counteract some of the harmful effects of too much sodium.
Selenium
Selenium is important for reproduction, thyroid function, DNA production, and protecting the body from damage caused by free radicals and from infection.
Hericenones & Erinacines
Studies have shown that these two compounds, Hericenones and Erinacines can stimulate the growth of brain cells, protect against Alzheimer's and degenerative brain diseases, and reduce the symptoms of memory loss. They have also been found to give a significant boost to mental healthy by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. See below for links to these studies.
We encourage you to educate yourself as much as possible and learn about each of these items and what they can do to support a healthy body and mind.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16371948/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24266378/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21383512/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27350344/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29364170/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26150007/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29091526/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5237458/
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