Chaga (Birch Conk) Caps For immunity, vitality, skin & gut health - 60 caps

Product detailed description

Mushrooms for Life Chaga - Key info

• This mushroom is certified organic - Soil Assocation Organic, UK.
• 100% conk sclerotium, sustainably wild crafted on birch trees in the pristine forests of Jilin Province.
• It is harvested only in autumn and spring, when it has the highest concentration of active substances.
• If chaga is to contain the main active ingredients that are associated with it, it is essential that it be grown on birch trees.
• It is dually extracted (extract ratio up to 8:1) to release and concentrate polysaccharides and triterpenes.
• Dual extraction is usually used for mushrooms that contain significant amounts of active ingredients soluble in both water and alcohol, such as chaga and reishi.
• It contains almost 16% glucans and 1.06% betulinic acid to support immunity and inflammatory response.
• It also contains 23% polysaccharides - results: see COA analysis in the files tab.

Why should I use chaga?

Skin health

Studies show that chaga has the strongest antioxidant activity among the mushrooms studied. Antioxidants protect the body from free radical damage that can cause premature aging. Other studies have noted beneficial effects on problematic skin conditions such as psoriasis, which may be due to its effect on chronic inflammation.

Immunity

Studies have shown antiviral effects and suggest that chaga increases the amount of cytokines, which are signaling proteins that help control inflammation, communicate with white blood cells and help regulate immune responses.

Gut health

A 2017 study found that the polysaccharides in chaga have prebiotic properties that improve the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Alternatives to Explore

Fermented chaga

For those of you who want to harness the potential of fermented mushrooms based on kefir-kombucha fermentation, try Living Nutrition's fermented chaga - it's the same mushroom source and our favourite Graham Botfield is again behind the development.

The benefits of mushroom fermentation include:

• Rich in nutrients that have many health benefits.
• Fermented mushroom supplements offer a convenient way to receive a concentrated dose of mushrooms in an easily digestible form.
• Fermented mushrooms can potentially improve gut health and promote good bacteria, which aids digestion and potentially reduces the risk of digestive disorders.
• Fermented mushrooms are used in traditional medicine around the world to promote vitality and longevity.
• They contain vitamins and minerals such as potassium, niacin, iron and vitamin D, which contribute to overall health.
• They have a high concentration of antioxidants, including ergothioneine and glutathione, which may help reduce inflammation and protect against cell damage.
• Fermented mushrooms are particularly notable for their beta-glucan content, a type of polysaccharide that has immune-boosting properties. Beta-glucans are known to boost immune function and help the body fight off infections.
• Overall, fermented mushrooms represent a nutritional powerhouse that offers a range of health benefits.

Both fermented chaga and common extracts have unique properties. Fermented mushroom provides increased bioavailability, better flavor and gut health support, while regular extract offers a higher concentration of some beneficial compounds and supports strength, stamina and immune system.

When selecting a dietary supplement with hericium, consider your personal preferences, health goals, and the quality of the product. Remember to start with a low dose and consult a specialist if necessary.

Powder

For those of you who prefer to use the powder to make your tea or add it to your coffee, we offer Pure Grade Extract Hericium powder.

Creamy latte

And if you like lattes and want to have everything nicely prepared in advance, check out the sugar-free turmeric latte. Just add your favourite warmed milk or just hot water - this is a great kicker if you don't drink coffee.

We've got a tip for coconut powdered cream straight from the source in Sri Lanka that makes a delicious plant milk anytime, anywhere - cheaper and much better than liquid plant milks from the store.

When choosing a dietary supplement with chaga mushroom, consider your personal preferences, health goals and the quality of the product. Remember to start with a low dose and consult a specialist if necessary.

Adaptogenic mixtures containing chaga

Other products that contain other ingredients besides chaga for different purposes. The way to use this mushroom has never been easier!

• https://www.pravebio.cz/tremela-a-caga-plet-myco-beauty/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/smes-adaptogennich-hub-mushroom-bio/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/north-american-herb-spice-liva-latte/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/nahs-chaga-dunkers/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/raw-coko-snack-chagachunks/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/neurogeneticky-napoj-collagenius/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/nahs-chaga-black-tea/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/north-american-herb-spice-raw-chagamax/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/north-american-herb-spice-chag-o-charge/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/emulgovana-sibirska-caga-v-kapkach/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/byliny-pro-krevni-obeh-hyper-eez/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/nahs-purely-b/
• https://www.pravebio.cz/black-seed-krem/

The mushrooms are grown in Fujian Province, China.

What is a chaga mushroom

In short

• It can have a beneficial effect on the immune system and gut health: prebiotic fibre supports healthy gut flora and the polysaccharides in chaga, including alpha- and beta-glucans, support a healthy immune system.
• Adaptogenic balance: chaga is one of the adaptogenic mushrooms that support the body's ability to maintain a homeostatic balance despite the many stresses we encounter during the course of a normal day. A daily dose of chaga mushroom dietary supplement supports the body's ability to adapt and recover from stress.

Main description

These mushrooms, traditionally called the "diamond of the forest" or "king of herbs", grow in the wild on birch trees. They get their impressive antioxidant profile from the nutrients they slowly draw from deep within the bark, which take decades to mature.

The chaga mushroom has its origins in Siberia, where it has long been considered the mushroom of immortality. Chaga is rich in vitamins, minerals and compounds such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), betulinic acid and glutathione, making it one of nature's most impressive superfoods.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chaga has a warm, sweet energy and supports the liver, spleen and digestive fire. Chaga is revered as an adaptogen that stimulates the body in times of stress, so try using this versatile chaga powder in a hot drink or mixing it into smoothies and other recipes.

Animal and test-tube studies have shown that chaga extract can boost immunity, prevent chronic inflammation, fight cancer, and lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

However, further human studies are needed. Although some research shows that chaga can help reduce inflammation, it can also make your immune system more active. People with autoimmune diseases should therefore seek medical advice before taking chaga.

Read more on this topic

• Introduction to biohacking
• Vegetarian and vegan diet
• Be careful what medicinal mushrooms you eat and why
• Kick up your immunity with wild herbs and mushrooms
• What to eat in winter to stay healthy?
• Detoxify your body or lighten your body after the winter months
• How to have healthy intestines and thus the whole organism?

It is said that the ideal time to have chaga is at noon.

Studies on cholesterol

Chaga extract can also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. In an eight-week study on rats with high cholesterol levels, chaga extract lowered "bad" LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing antioxidant levels.

Source : https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5305591

Similar studies have produced the same results, observing that - in addition to lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol - chaga increases "good" HDL cholesterol.

Source : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18434051

Source : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28954386

Scientists believe that the antioxidants in chaga are responsible for its effects on cholesterol. Again, further research in humans is needed to clearly understand the effect of chaga on cholesterol.

Dual extraction procedure

The first step is extraction using hot water. In this method, the chitin is dissolved in water, allowing the release of biologically active components that are also water soluble.

To achieve the highest yields of biologically active compounds, high temperature (99-189 ºC) is combined with high pressure (up to 345 kilopascals) to avoid breaking down the molecular structure of the biologically active components.

This is followed by the second step, namely extraction with hot ethanol. This process allows the release of substances that are not soluble in water. With this step, virtually all biologically active substances become bioavailable.

However, it is important to distinguish this process from a simple alcohol tincture, where simply pouring mushroom powder into the alcohol will not provide a similar effect. Unlike herbal preparations, chitin does not break down in alcohol.

Why buy Mushrooms for life?

Pure Grade Extract or PURE GRADE

• Mushrooms for Life from the UK uses only Pure Grade mushroom extracts, which guarantee a 100% concentration of mushrooms without added binders.
• Pure Grade is the hallmark of the highest quality mushroom supplements.
• They use only the highest quality organic ingredients, which are carefully selected to take full advantage of the functions of each mushroom.
• This product is naturally gluten, dairy and soy free.
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
• Free of fillers, binders, excipients and additives.
• Third-party tested and DNA tested.
• Screened for traces of heavy metals, pesticides and contaminants. See the Files tab.

The market for vital mushrooms is flooded with products that don't cost a thing, so you should do your research and make sure that any supplement you choose fully meets your needs.

What is Full Spectrum?

Full-spectrum products may contain all the essential parts of the fungus - spores, mycelium and fruiting bodies - but that's not all. Mostly this term is used by manufacturers whose products are balanced on the mycelium of the fungus, the underground network of fungal "roots" that helps sustain the life of the fungus.

Growing on substrate

Most mushrooms can no longer be obtained in the wild, as they have simply been collected and must be cultivated in conditions identical to nature. The problem here is that demand outstrips supply and the need to speed up the growing season to satisfy the sellers. However, the short cultivation time has its negative side.

In most cases, the mushroom is grown for only 30 days, and the substrate (grains, rice, etc.) on which the mushroom grows is not used up and remains in the preparation. It effectively dilutes the active ingredients in this way and you definitely do not get what vital mushrooms have been considered in Asian countries for millennia - a miracle medium.

Mushrooms for Life grows its mushrooms for a full 120 days, as opposed to the usual 30 days, to ensure that the substrate is completely exhausted and you get only the best of the mushroom's ingredients.

What to watch out for

There is an art to developing a quality mushroom as a dietary supplement and we certainly don't recommend you save your money on private labels that are not specialists in this field (you can be 99% sure that you will be ripped off, because private labels are usually only interested in profit and therefore offer a wide range of everything possible, but don't really specialize in anything) and also don't buy brands that are not certified organic (because of the unclean source of the raw materials).

Next, look at prices - the market for mushroom suppliers is limited and all producers basically source their raw materials from the same sources, but ! Each mushroom supplier has several grades of quality at different selling prices and the final product will look like that. If you want a capsule full of maltodextrin, which doesn't have to be listed on the ingredients and nutritional values by law, buy cheap mushrooms. If you want quality, don't be afraid to pay extra, you'll know it after a while.

The more it states there is in the extract capsule, watch how big the capsule is. If it's extra large it should be fine, but if it's a standard size it will most likely have maltodextrin in it, as it's impossible to put the whole active ingredient in a normal capsule (ask the lab, this applies to magnesium for example). Therefore, Mushrooms for Life has one dose as two normal size capsules and the production of the capsule itself is controlled.

Finally, try the taste test - if the extract tastes sweet and almost good, it is definitely maltodextrin, if it doesn't taste good, it is pure extract - because it doesn't taste good to most people and that is correct:

A high quality mushroom dietary supplement should

• be made from mushroom extract, not whole mushroom powder
• be derived from fruiting bodies and not from mycelial biomass
• be produced by a single process: hot water extraction or dual extraction in the case of chaga and reishi.
• come from organic sources (organic certification) and preferably from the original source of growth (China, Siberia)
• have an appropriate, verifiable beta-glucan or hericenone content
• have other ingredients that are also pure and in line with your needs - this is where independent laboratory tests for purity and heavy metal content come in

We guarantee that Mushrooms for Life meets all these conditions and there is no better brand on the European market.

Tradition and quality

Mushrooms for Life sources only the highest quality mushrooms that are organically grown from their own farmers in China. The use of medicinal mushrooms has been a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine and this practice dates back thousands of years.

No country has more extensive knowledge of mushroom cultivation and sourcing than China. China is also home to some of the world's largest and cleanest forests, which provide an ideal environment for fungi to grow.

Based on ongoing DNA analyses, it is widely known that China grows the highest quality mushrooms in the world. Vital mushrooms have been approved in Japan and China for more than 30 years as an adjunct to standard treatment for diseases that are not allowed to be discussed in the EU.

In these countries, mushrooms have been used safely for a long time, either alone or in combination with radiation or chemotherapy.

In Asia, there are more than 100 species of mushrooms used to treat this disease. The most common include Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor (Outcaffe), Lentinus edodes (shiitake) and Grifola frondosa (maitake).

Source of this information: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/mushrooms-pdq

The Story of Mushrooms for Life

Mushrooms For Life was originally founded in 2011 by well-known British naturopath and author Martin Powell with the aim of making the best mushroom supplements widely available and accessible.

Martin, who is fluent in Mandarin, spent many years in China working with experienced local growers to ensure Mushrooms For Life sources the highest quality ingredients, which is a key focus for the brand today.

In 2017 Martin entrusted Mushrooms For Life to his colleagues and experienced mushroom experts Graham Botfield and Ben Shouler, who continue his work to this day.