How Reishi Supports Your Immune System
Article at a Glance:
- Reishi mushrooms are functional mushrooms used for their healing properties for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine.
- These functional mushrooms contain various bioactive compounds that have been shown to have various health benefits.
- The immune-boosting benefits of Reishi mushrooms come from bioactive compounds like polysaccharides and triterpenes.
- Each of our Reishi Gummies provides the equivalent of 500 mg of Reishi mushrooms and is a delicious and convenient way to help boost your immune system and support your health.
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, are a type of functional mushroom that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. Reishi has gained popularity in recent years as researchers identify several compounds that may provide a wide range of health benefits.
Reishi appears to offer one health benefit: support for the immune system. In this article, we will explore the immune-boosting benefits of Reishi mushrooms and how they can be incorporated into your daily routine so you can support your immune system and your overall health.
What are Reishi Mushrooms?
The Reishi mushroom is a specific type of functional mushroom used for its healing properties in traditional Eastern medicine practices for thousands of years. Reishi mushroom contains various bioactive compounds that have been shown to have several health benefits. [1]
As an adaptogenic mushroom, Reishi can help mitigate the effects of stress on the body. Additionally, Reishi has been shown to support healthy blood sugar levels, which may, in turn, support heart health. Reishi mushrooms also appear to provide support for the immune system.
Immune Support Bioactive Compounds in Reishi
The following are bioactive compounds in Reishi mushrooms that have been linked with immune system support:
Polysaccharides
Reishi mushrooms contain a variety of polysaccharides, including alpha- and beta-glucans. The
polysaccharide compounds found in Reishi mushrooms may help activate immune cells like macrophages and helper-T cells, which play a pivotal role in cellular immunity and protection against infections.[2]
Not only can Reishi mushrooms help activate the immune system, but they may help increase the production of white blood cells. This can also assist in strengthening your immune system and supporting your overall health.[3]
Reishi mushrooms can also act as an antiviral when in the presence of polysaccharides. Because Reishi can help ease inflammation and strengthen the immune system, it has been used to help reduce symptoms and treat the underlying cause of some infections.[4] [5]
Triterpenes
Triterpenes are beneficial chemical compounds primarily found in plants and are especially prominent in functional mushrooms like Reishi. These powerful plant compounds appear to support the immune system through antioxidant activity.
The antioxidant properties of Reishi mushrooms can help protect your body from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, which can damage your body's cells and tissues. The triterpenes in Reishi contain compounds that can help neutralize free radicals and protect the body from oxidative stress.[6]
Inflammation is your body's initial natural immune system response to injury or infection. However, when left unchecked, inflammation can become chronic and lead to various health problems. Triterpenes, like those found in Reishi mushrooms, can help reduce inflammation within the body, further enhancing your immune system.[6]
The Immune Support Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms
Well known for their health-enhancing properties, Reishi mushrooms have increased in popularity as a natural way to address specific health concerns. Research is uncovering Reishi's powerful bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and triterpenes, which can provide immune-boosting benefits. These powerful plant compounds can help reduce inflammation, protect the body from oxidative stress, and strengthen your immune system.
Now that you better understand the immune-boosting benefits of Reishi mushrooms, you may be wondering how to incorporate them into your daily routine. You'll find Reishi in various forms, including capsule, extract, and powder; however, we prefer gummies since they are convenient and mess-free.
Each of our Reishi Gummies contains the equivalent of 500mg of Reishi mushroom, and all our formulas are gluten-free, gelatin-free, and vegan-friendly. Did we mention that they're delicious too?
So, grab a bottle (or two) and experience how Reishi can help boost your immune system and support your overall health and well-being.
References
- Batra P, Sharma AK, Khajuria R. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013;15(2):127-43. doi: 10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i2.20. PMID: 23557365.
- Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, et al. Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
- Wang X, Lin Z. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1182:1-37. doi: 10.1007/978-981-32-9421-9_1. PMID: 31777013.
- Linnakoski R, Reshamwala D, Veteli P, Cortina-Escribano M, Vanhanen H, Marjomäki V. Front Microbiol. 2018 Oct 2;9:2325. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02325. PMID: 30333807; PMCID: PMC6176074.
- Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, Yamada A, Itoh K, Konishi F, Kumamoto S, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Matsuoka K. Asian J Androl. 2008 Sep;10(5):777-85. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00361.x. Epub 2007 Dec 20. PMID: 18097505.
- Dasgupta A, Acharya K. Biotech. 2019 Oct;9(10):369. doi: 10.1007/s13205-019-1906-2. Epub 2019 Sep 24. PMID: 31588393; PMCID: PMC6760460.