Unboxed: 5 mushroom supplements for immunity and vitality

Mushrooms for medical or health reasons are positively booming. These “third kingdom” (i.e., neither plant nor animal) fungi have captured the imagination of a public that is seeking ever more nutrient-dense whole foods to supercharge their lives.

Mushrooms are low in calories, high in fiber and filled with vitamins and minerals.

Depending on the species, some are loaded with immune-enhancing saccharides such as beta-glucans, others help with cognitive function and some have been used traditionally in China for thousands of years to help users age gracefully, extend their lifespans or simply boost overall health and vitality.

There’s a debate going on with regard to whether it’s best to use just the above-ground, traditional fruiting bodies or the nouveau mycelia—basically, the fibrous root system that binds mushrooms in a forest as one singular organism. Most mushrooms using mycelia are grown in controlled indoor facilities.

What is clear is that natural retailers must hop on the mushroom bandwagon! Here are five new mushroom supplements to help meet the sustained shopper buzz for ’shrooms.