Our Health Warriors have been asking, so we’ll deliver: What is the optimal Dodjivi Premium Functional Mushroom dose? How much functional mushroom will benefit me per day?
We know Dodjivi Premium Mushroom coffees are functional food from organic mushrooms supporting immunity and promoting mental clarity, relieving stress and providing natural energy for us, needed every day- we drink it, we love it and we know it! But we now take a deep dive into WHY and HOW MUCH…
So, Why These Four Mushrooms?
Our four organically grown premium functional mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Reishi and Chaga are each individually significant for supporting lasting health. Individually, each of the four mushrooms improves specific targeted measures of health, and all four varieties are effective sources of high quality health products in dried form. [1] [2] [3] [4] Each mushroom in our blends is selected to deliver on specific, targeted and unique benefits, and consuming an effective amount of them regularly – which is how functional food (and all nutrition) works- allows for the realization of increased and remarkable health benefits over time.
[1] Government of Canada/ hericium erinaceus
[2] Government of Canada/Trametes versicolor
Lion’s Mane
(Hericium erinaceus), is an incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Remember that oxidative stress and damage happen continually in our cells for many reasons – from chemical exposure (foods, products we use, the environment) to the passage of time. When oxidation occurs, inflammation is the body’s response, and oxidation and inflammation are the root of major health conditions[1] from diabetes to metabolic disturbances, to cardiovascular and age-related diseases.
Lion’s Mane’s potent antioxidants counteract oxidation. It suppresses oxidative stress and inflammation in the neurons of the hippocampus, supporting the brain against neural degeneration and diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Two important classes of compounds found in Lion’s Mane are proven to launch the production of Nerve Growth Factor[2] which maintains the normal function of our nerve cells and nervous system. Lion’s mane for the long-term win!
Turkey Tail
(Trametes versicolor, coriolus versicolor), is selected for its extraordinary immune and antiviral support. Its bioactive compounds (beta glucans and triterpenoids) support the increase of insulin and decrease the level of glucose in our blood. This combination of actions supports balanced blood sugar. The beta glucans in Turkey Tail are immuno-modulators,and they activate our immune cells[1].Turkey tail augments the pathways of our immunity![2] Beta glucans are antiviral, preventing attachment of certain viruses to cells, and guarding our cell health. 10 different extracts of medicinal fungi were pitted against the H1N1 virus: all 10 inhibited the virus, with Turkey Tail having the strongest antiviral effect. Turkey Tail’s polysaccharide compounds stimulate the immune system to produce immune cells and activate them[3]. When we are under stress, our immunity is challenged, and microbes interfere with cell strength and integrity. Adding Turkey Tail’s potency to our day means strengthening immunity and combating viral interference. Here’s to Turkey Tail!
[1] Government of Canada/ hericium erinaceus
[2] Government of Canada/Trametes versicolor
[3] Government of Canada/ Ganoderma lucidum
[4] Government of Canada /Inonotus Obliquus
[5] Science Direct/Oxidative Stress
[7] Medwin
Reishi
(Ganoderma lucidum) is an astounding health booster. Its antioxidant, antiviral, stress reducing and energy producing benefits are documented as unparalleled. Reishi supports the function of our mitochondria, the part of the cell where our body’s energy is made. When mitochondria function well, they produce energy, and an organ itself can function well[1]. Mitochondria in the liver, the muscle or the brain, for example, produce the energy for that organ to function optimally– but with a defect in mitochondrial energy pathways, symptoms occur in the liver, the muscle, the brain. As an antioxidant, Reishi neutralizes free radicals (more about oxidation here) so cells remain strong and protected from damage. In its dried form, Reishi’s extensive health benefits are phenomenal, and Health Canada[2] documents this vast research. Reishi is a star among functional foods.
Chaga
(Inonotus obliqus)[1] is widely becoming the next super fungus- with seemingly limitless health possibilities! Research demonstrates it to be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial. Chaga’s polysaccharides are a recent hot topic, affirmed to be health boosters in over 30 studies[2]. Its polysaccharide components are anticancer, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Its polysaccharides regulate enzyme activity, liver glucose metabolism, and the flora of our gut; they protect and repair pancreatic cells, and improve insulin sensitivity. These polysaccharides inhibit the migration and invasion of certain cancer cells and prevent the generation of other cancer cells. Chaga stimulates the immune system, bolstering our immunity..and that’s just the beginning. For more about this super fungus, read here if you dare. We’re keeping our eyes on Chaga!
How much functional mushroom coffee for optimal health benefits?
We now know the reason for each mushroom in our Dodjivi mix. We want to know how much delicious Dodjivi Premium Mushroom Coffee is needed to benefit us each day. What if we love Dodjivi Mushroom Coffee Mix? Can we overdo it? We know that two, three, even four cups of Dodjivi Coffee helps provide health to our nervous system and hormonal cortisol, where regular coffee does not. Dodjivi’s functional mushroom is combined with 100% Arabica coffee gives us energy without the caffeine crash. Its mushroom compounds calm our nervous system, while simultaneously and naturally energizing us. So if we enjoy 3-4 cups a day, sometimes, we would not be over caffeinated, and would be well supported in health benefits.
[8] Medwin
[9] NCBI/ Nature’s Own Pharmacy
[10] National Human Genome Research Institute
[11] Government of Canada/ Reishi
[12] NCBI/NIMH
[13] NCBI/NLM
But what’s the minimum level to benefit from our functional mushrooms?
The answer has two parts: we decide which health benefits we need at a point in time, then we consume the product regularly. With any food, health is supported by regular consumption, because nutrition is about intake and uptake. When we take food in, we don’t always benefit from uptake (where the small intestine allows nutrients to move to the bloodstream). To ensure uptake, we need to be regular about our functional food. If we miss a day, no worries–the cellular benefits are cumulative. Some functional mushroom benefits are in the moment, and for that reason we choose a coffee to provide extra energy, or a clear focus, for that day. If our immunity is challenged, we focus on Immunity Blend for a week. True cellular benefits, the long-term ones described above, do not appear, and do not disappear, in a matter of days.
One cup a day? A great start. Two cups a day, perhaps one for Immunity and one for Vitality? You are doing so much good for your health. It’s all about balance. In taking 2-4 teaspoons of Dodjivi mushroom coffee mix per day, with more as needed some days (for taste, calm, or energy), your various health goals will be optimally supported.
Health Canada recommends daily dosages for functional mushrooms, as outlined in the excerpt from the chart below.[14]
Excerpt of Health Canada chart, for dry, powder or dry extract of mushroom
Ingredients | Dose(s) (grams)/Day |
Lion’s Mane Hericium erinaceus | Not to exceed 2.8 g of dried cultured mycelium/fruiting body/mycelium per day |
Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor | Not to exceed 5 g of dried cultured mycelium/fruiting body/mycelium per day |
Reishi Ganoderma lucidum | Not to exceed 6 g of dried cultured mycelium/fruiting body/mycelium per day |
Chaga Inonotus obliquus | Not to exceed Up to 3.6 g of dried cultured mycelium/fruiting body/mycelium per day |
Cheers! It’s time for a cuppa.
Martha
Martha Kenney Burbank, R.H.N Holistic Nutritionist + Health Coach at KenneyBee Holistic Health
