I love looking for ways and discovering things to improve my snowboarding, surfing, and climbing. The way I move and perform, the way I can improve all of the sports I love, etc, I will never stop exploring this topic. And that is where these medicinal mushrooms take place.
80% of our sports performance comes from our training and the right diet. I get it, it is the majority of the full circle, but what about the other 20%? Supplements, sleep quality, visualization, meditation, and yoga… it is all a part of it too!
I know that mushrooms do not have the most appealing taste to our pallets, but their unique nutritional compounds and medicinal quality make them an imperative ingredient to any diet. Mushrooms helped my body build up immunity to toxins and viruses while sustaining my strength and focus during my workouts.
Below, I have outlined the three medicinal mushrooms I discovered to be the most beneficial for me.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps mushrooms improve your aerobic capacity, endurance, and post-workout recovery. They have important properties in enhancing athletic performance by increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and increasing the synthesis of ATP – the energy currency of the muscle cell. This, in combination with high-antioxidant levels that counteract the byproducts of exercise, cordyceps enables athletes to train more effectively for longer periods of time, and recover more quickly.
Cordyceps was introduced to the general public during the 1993 National Games in China when three of their athletes set five new world records in distance running. They were tested for the use of illegal drugs, but the tests came back negative. Their coach revealed that his secret was adding cordyceps to their diet because he knew its natural benefits to help improve energy, stamina, endurance, support healthy joints and cartilage, and sleep patterns. Improved performance is something we all desire within our sport or at the gym.
Tip: To get my dose of cordyceps each day, I a couple drops to my morning smoothie.
Chaga Mushrooms
Chaga is highly sought out because of its ability to work with the body to support the immune system, eliminate toxins, stimulate the central nervous system, maintain skin color and elasticity, and promote a youthful look. It is one of the superfoods with the highest level of antioxidants (yes, it even beats out the acai berry), which helps protect cells from free radicals. This magic mushroom is also an important adaptogen, which means its compounds increase the body’s ability to adapt to stress, fatigue, anxiety, inflammation, and changing situations. If you are planning to enter the CrossFit Open, perform a triathlon, or enter a weightlifting competition, Chaga should be a daily staple to your diet.
Reishi Mushrooms
There are six types of reishi mushrooms, but the most commonly used in the herbal field is the “red reishi.” It is often described as “the mushroom of immortality” because it is a supreme immune tonic. It helps strengthen your immune system to fight off toxins, viruses, and bacteria, and also improves your blood circulation. Along with cordyceps and chaga, reishi is another powerful adaptogen. Reishi also helps to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Many Chinese athletes use reishi as a performance-enhancing tonic and mountain climbers use it to combat altitude sickness. This mushroom is great to add to your daily routine, especially in winter when viruses run high. Reishi has a very earthy and bitter-wood taste.
Tip: I currently take it in the form of a tincture, but it can be brewed as a tea if you are brave enough.
Mushroom Revival plants a tree for every purchase you make with them! “alenka” for 15% off 🙂
Once you learn about all the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, you may be wondering about the best way to add them to your diet. The easiest route is to purchase them in capsule form. The brand I have used and trust the most is Mushroom revival 🙂 I also buy mushrooms in powder form and add them to my protein smoothie or make a tea. There are also various raw chocolate companies that infuse their chocolate with medicinal mushrooms.
If you begin using medicinal mushroom,
I suggest taking them in combination because of their synergistic effect. This will enhance your immunity more than taking them separately. Also, buy organic medicinal mushrooms when possible because mushrooms tend to concentrate pesticides and heavy metals from the soil. As with any herbal supplement, it is always important to contact your health care provider before you add in multiple herbs to your daily diet.
I hope this article inspires you to play around with medicinal mushrooms and discover more of their magical healing powers. Have you tried medicinal mushrooms? Post your experiences to the comments below.
References:
1. “Medicinal Mushrooms: Information about Reishi, Lingshi, Shiitake, Shitake, Cordyceps, Maitake, etc.” Last modified 2011.
2. “Mushroom Science: Medicinal Mushroom Benefits.” Last modified 2011.
3. “Chaga knowledge: Chaga facts and benefits.” Last modified 2010.
4. “Natural News: Studies show reishi mushrooms benefit people stricken with a variety of aliments, from high blood pressure to AIDS.” Last modified January 25, 2007.
5. “Mushroom matrix: Organic medicinal mushrooms.” Last modified 2012.
6. “Wikipedia: Beta-glucan.” Last modified January 16, 2013.
7. “Wikipedia: Polysaccharide.” Last modified January 25 2013.
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More about Alenka
“My name is Alenka and I’m a Squamish based photographer. I love using my medium to capture sports, adventures, underwater shots, adventures in the mountains and days on snow! Very simply put, I’m one stoked girl, ready to get up at 2 in the morning and hike for sunrise, go to the airport and take a random flight…you name it!
Photography, web design and digital marketing have been things I’m proud to call my job lately! Very flexible, lots of traveling and even more adventures than when I was a kid. Here, on my website I share tips on photography, spreading awareness about the zero-waste lifestyle and sustainability and crazy stories from my travels. Welcome.”
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