Functional Mushrooms for PCOS, Fertility, and Blood Sugar Balance
I had the pleasure of chatting with Desiree Caruso, a Naturopathic Doctor and advisor at Eversio Wellness. If you've been following me for awhile, I’m sure you’ve heard me talking about Eversio’s mushroom extracts! They're making waves for a reason — they hold the promise of making a huge impact on your well-being.
While functional mushrooms can truly benefit so many aspects of your health, we’re going to look specifically at how certain mushrooms can help relieve PCOS symptoms, support fertility, and even help you balance your blood sugar!
The Mushroom Expert: Desiree Caruso
Desiree's journey into the world of functional mushrooms kicked off during her naturopathic medicine studies. She explored the potential of these mushrooms alongside botanical medicine. Her fascination took a significant leap when she faced a car accident and post-concussion syndrome. This personal experience drove her to dive into the brain-boosting properties of lion's mane mushroom as part of her recovery journey.
Eventually, Desiree happened to reconnect with her fourth-grade teacher, who founded Eversio Wellness along with her husband, and this connection led her to become a part of the Eversio Wellness team. In case you're not familiar, Eversio Wellness is all about providing exceptional medicinal mushroom supplements crafted from high-quality fruiting body only extracts. The best part? Everything they offer is organic and non-GMO, making them a fantastic, non-toxic addition to your daily wellness routine.
What to Look for Before You Buy Functional Mushrooms
You know I am always saying that you need to really research what is in your supplements before you buy anything. And it’s no different when it comes to functional mushrooms! I don't want anyone wasting their hard-earned money on ineffective products or, even worse, potentially harmful ones. Our mushroom expert, Desiree, has some invaluable insights to share to help you choose great mushroom products.
Fruiting Body Only
First and foremost, Desiree highlights the importance of mushrooms being cultivated on wood rather than using filler materials. This ensures that you're receiving genuine functional mushroom extracts. The extract should originate from the fruiting body of the mushroom only, which is the actual mushroom part.
Third-Party Lab Testing
It's also essential to insist on third-party lab testing to verify quality and safety, and companies should readily provide their Certificate of Analysis (COA). If a company hesitates to share this information or if their COA lacks a date, consider it a red flag.
Certain companies may attempt to obscure critical details, such as the presence of heavy metals or the precise composition of their products, often claiming that it’s “proprietary information”. However, a top-tier functional mushroom supplement should possess organic certification and adhere to rigorous quality standards and the company should be willing to share this information with you. As informed consumers, it's crucial to prioritize transparency and ensure that the supplements you're incorporating into your wellness routine align with your health goals and values.
Therapeutic Dosage
Let's talk dosage – because it's a big deal. In fact, it's a really big deal. Some people might mistakenly believe that functional mushrooms don’t work for them simply because they haven't been getting a high enough dosage!
When choosing functional mushrooms, clarity about dosage is key because marketing claims can sometimes be a bit fuzzy and it’s easy to assume that higher milligrams automatically translates to greater therapeutic benefits – but it's a bit more complex than that.
The truth is, scientific research often leans towards recommending higher doses for specific health benefits, and it's these larger quantities that tend to work their magic and deliver the desired physiological results. Research typically suggests aiming for a minimum of 2,000 milligrams per functional mushroom to really tap into their therapeutic benefits.
Eversio Wellness follows Health Canada's Mushroom Monograph guidelines to ensure you're getting the right dose. These guidelines set daily maximum quantity crude equivalent values for each type of functional mushroom.
Many people tend to focus solely on the serving size, like 500 milligrams per capsule, or a total of 1,000 milligrams per day. However, it's crucial to grasp the concept of quantity crude equivalent, which essentially tells you how much of the actual mushroom material goes into making the product. For instance, according to Health Canada’s Mushroom Monograph, the maximum daily dose of quantity crude equivalent for reishi is a substantial 15,000 milligrams. This is especially important when you're dealing with concentrated extracts, where the extraction ratios can vary, often following an eight-to-one ratio.
Desiree also highlighted the importance of consistency. It's not only about how much you consume, but also about how consistently you make functional mushrooms a part of your daily routine. Regular usage is key to experiencing their full effects. And here's the really exciting part – certain mushrooms, like reishi and cordyceps, can offer noticeable results almost right away.
Take cordyceps, for instance; it's like a natural energy boost without the jitters that often accompany caffeine and you won’t get the crash later either. It's your gentle yet effective pick-me-up. I hadn’t really noticed results when I tried other mushroom products, but when I tried cordyceps from Eversio the first time, I was the to-do list queen, as Desiree says. I literally could not believe how energized I felt and how much I was able to get done that day!
Now, as we talk about dosing, we can't forget about dual extraction. Not all mushrooms are created equal, and some go through a unique process that involves both hot water and alcohol extraction. Desiree confirmed that Eversio Wellness employs this dual extraction method, but not all mushrooms in their lineup require this process. The decision hinges on comprehensive research into the specific compounds found in the mushroom's fruiting body. Among their products, reishi, chaga, and lion's mane are the chosen ones that get the dual extraction treatment, backed by research that highlights the advantages of including alcohol-soluble compounds.
Functional Mushrooms and Blood Sugar Balance
First, let's talk about antioxidants – those amazing molecules that help counter the effects of oxidative stress. People dealing with diabetes or blood sugar issues often have to contend with something called "reactive oxygen species" (ROS). But here's the good news: functional mushrooms are known for their antioxidant powers, which means they can help neutralize those ROS molecules and support better blood sugar regulation.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how functional mushrooms do their magic to support blood sugar balance. Chaga, for example, has high antioxidant properties. It's a go-to for folks dealing with joint pain and similar issues because it's a superstar when it comes to antioxidants.
Maitake is another great one that doesn't just focus on one pathway; it influences various processes related to blood sugar regulation. In simple terms, it helps bring down high blood sugar levels.
And last but not least, we have reishi, another functional mushroom that's here to support your blood sugar balance. Like chaga and maitake, reishi also packs an antioxidant punch and supports your body from both metabolic and antioxidant angles.
Relieving PCOS Symptoms with Functional Mushrooms
So, let's zero in on PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), an area where functional mushrooms can truly make a significant impact. PCOS often presents a challenging duo – insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalance. Desiree emphasized the remarkable benefits of mushrooms like reishi and maitake in the context of managing PCOS. These mushrooms are real multitaskers when it comes to tackling the complex issues associated with PCOS. They don't just focus on one problem; they offer all-around support.
Let's start with a fundamental aspect – regulating blood sugar levels. High insulin resistance and erratic blood sugar spikes are common hurdles for those with PCOS, and these mushrooms can play a key role in maintaining stable glucose levels (just like we talked about above regarding blood sugar balance!). This is a fundamental step in managing PCOS and can contribute to overall better health.
But reishi and maitake don't stop at blood sugar control. They're also really effective at addressing elevated androgen levels, anothing common issue for women with PCOS. Androgens are male hormones that can throw hormonal balance out of whack in women. These mushrooms help restore that balance and relieve symptoms linked to PCOS.
Cordyceps is another great functional mushroom to manage PCOS as it supports fertility and hormonal balance. Desiree highlighted cordyceps’ unique ability to support women with PCOS by balancing hormones and enhancing fertility. This makes cordyceps an exceptional choice for managing PCOS, adding an extra layer of support alongside reishi and maitake.
Improving Fertility with Functional Mushrooms
And on that note, when we consider how functional mushrooms can support fertility, we need to acknowledge that fertility isn't solely influenced by female hormones. It takes two to tango! So it’s important to look at supporting both women and men’s fertility.
Cordyceps provides fantastic support for fertility in both men and women because it helps to improve both egg quality in women and sperm quality in men. It's also a libido booster, which can be a game-changer for couples dealing with fertility issues. For example, stress is a common enemy on the fertility journey, impacting both partners and often putting a damper on intimacy. That's where cordyceps shines as a natural stress-buster. It not only improves egg and sperm quality, but can help to relieve stress and rekindle intimacy. Plus, cordyceps' stress-reduction abilities indirectly contribute to improved progesterone levels, which is so important for a healthy pregnancy!
Reishi is another functional mushroom that can play a vital role in supporting fertility by helping your body manage stress and return to balance. This is crucial for both partners. Similarly to cordyceps, reishi supports libido and boosts sperm quality in men. And when we talk about sperm quality, this is so important not just for helping you get pregnant, but it also affects placental health. Good sperm quality can actually help reduce the risk of conditions like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes!
Balancing Your Well-Being: The Eversio Wellness Secret
It's obvious that numerous mushrooms have the potential to work wonders for your health. However, I get it; we don’t want to end up taking like 10 different mushroom supplements every day! I went ahead and asked Desiree about a convenient solution to get the benefits of multiple functional mushrooms, and guess what? Eversio has just the thing!
The Balance Blend
Let me introduce you to the Balance Blend. This little powerhouse combines the incredible qualities of reishi, maitake, shiitake, and lion's mane mushrooms, creating a fantastic blend that covers all the bases. Whether you're dealing with PCOS or simply seeking daily hormonal support, this blend has something truly special to offer.
Now, let's dive into all the benefits it brings. Reishi and maitake, found in the Balance Blend, have been linked to positive effects on cholesterol levels. For individuals dealing with PCOS, managing cholesterol levels can be a game-changer, and the Balance Blend steps in to lend a hand in this aspect.
But that's not all. Reishi, often dubbed "herbal yoga" or the "mushroom of immortality," has amazing calming properties. It's like a soothing balm for your mind, perfect for those moments when you need to unwind and regain your composure. Many people turn to reishi to help them relieve anxiety because it has a unique ability to calm the mind and restore your focus, making it an invaluable addition to your wellness routine.
Some people use the Balance Blend to manage their ADHD symptoms. Similarly to anxiety, reishi's calming influence can help ground individuals with ADHD, providing relief from hyperactivity that can disrupt their daily lives. Plus, with lion's mane in the mix, you get additional brain-boosting benefits! Lion's mane supports mental clarity, memory, and learning, making it a perfect companion for those striving to manage ADHD symptoms and dive into focused work without distractions.
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Desiree's Daily Mushroom Routine
I couldn't resist asking Desiree about her personal mushroom routine. Here's the lowdown:
Morning Boost: Desiree kicks off her day with a nutritious smoothie featuring the Awaken Blend. This mushroom-packed concoction not only jump starts her morning but also provides a protein boost and a host of mushroom benefits to fuel her day.
Afternoon Brainpower: Come afternoon, Desiree turns to lion's mane. She's a big fan of this functional mushroom for its ability to enhance mental clarity and ramp up productivity. Surprisingly, she's noticed that taking lion's mane during this specific time of day results in better cognitive performance.
Evening Wind Down: As the day winds down, usually in the late afternoon or post-dinner, Desiree also brings reishi into the mix. This adaptogenic mushroom helps her ease into the evening, creating a sense of calm and grounding. It's her way of prepping for some well-deserved "me time" and relaxation.
Skincare Routine: Chaga currently takes the spotlight in Desiree's skincare routine. She's all about chaga's fantastic effectiveness in dealing with eczema. This versatile mushroom has worked for her both when ingested and applied topically, marking it a real game-changer for her skin health. And when winter rolls around, Desiree introduces Tremella to her daily skincare regimen, combating the dryness that often accompanies the cold season. Tremella's impressive hydrating properties are her secret weapon for maintaining well-moisturized and healthy skin. She also points out that she incorporates skincare products infused with Tremella, emphasizing its knack for effective hydration and collagen production. Her experience with Tremella in her skincare routine has brought visible improvements to her skin, making her wonder why more skincare products haven't embraced this natural hydrating gem!
Desiree's mushroom routine goes beyond just supplements; it's a carefully crafted daily ritual tailored to her unique needs and preferences. It goes to show how versatile and effective functional mushrooms are when seamlessly integrated into one's daily wellness routine.
Functional Mushrooms: Your Wellness Allies
One thing I want you to take away from this is just how adaptable these mushrooms are to support YOUR unique needs! There is no one perfect routine; you can truly create your own functional mushroom stack to support your health goals. Whether it's the calming embrace of reishi, the cholesterol management power of maitake, or the brain-boosting magic of lion's mane, there's a mushroom for basically every aspect of your health.
But the key takeaway here is that quality matters. When you're on the hunt for mushroom supplements, it's crucial to look for products that are grown on wood, include the fruiting body only, and undergo third-party lab testing for quality and safety. Transparency is non-negotiable, and you should always know what you're putting in your body!
And if you're looking for a convenient, all-in-one solution, the Balance Blend from Eversio Wellness, combining reishi, maitake, shiitake, and lion's mane, is a stellar option, offering support for various aspects of your health journey. I can’t wait for you to give functional mushrooms a try!
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Eversio Wellness provides medicinal mushroom supplements crafted from high-quality fruiting body only extracts. Everything they offer is organic and non-GMO, making them a fantastic, non-toxic addition to your daily wellness routine!
The recommendations presented in this blog are not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified doctor. Before making any changes to your diet and lifestyle, please consult with your health care provider.
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