Medicinal mushrooms are a surprising must-have supplement

By Mike Ventresca, Vital Choice Healthstore

I’m often asked, “What do you take to stay healthy?” While most of what I take is pretty common, one of my answers often surprises people, simply because most have never heard of it. Today, I want to share what it is and why I consider it to be, perhaps now more than ever, my nutritional must-have.

Few natural remedies provide greater overall health benefits than medicinal mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms got their name because they have been used in the prevention or treatment of diseases. In fact, countless studies show medicinal mushrooms can boost antioxidant activity, enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar levels, improve cognitive function, and more.

While there are over 100 varieties being studied, some of the most common medicinal mushrooms include chaga, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, maitake, lion’s mane, and cordyceps. Some like shiitake can be consumed in food, while others, like reishi, are best prepared as a tea or supplement due to their extreme bitterness. Also, while each mushroom has specific benefits, (taking reishi has dramatically improved my wife’s allergies, while I take lion’s mane for cognitive function), all medicinal mushrooms contain beta glucans, which have been found to help fight inflammation and aid the immune system.

That brings me to today’s must-have. While I sometimes take specific mushrooms for specific needs, I’m currently taking MyCommunity from Host Defense daily. MyCommunity is the most comprehensive immune support formula in the Host Defense line. It is a blend of 17 potent medicinal mushroom species, including all that I’ve mentioned above, and was developed by famed mycologist and medical researcher Paul Stamets.

Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.