Why mushrooms?

Mushrooms are not ordinary foods. They form a separate kingdom in biology with a biochemical richness that is found nowhere else in nature.

The use of medicinal mushrooms dates back to traditional Chinese medicine some 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used mushrooms as both food and medicine. Hippocrates prescribed them as early as around 400 BC. In the Middle Ages, Benedictine monks in particular studied their healing properties. Species such as Reishi and Cordyceps were considered rare and valuable remedies, reserved for imperial courts and spiritual leaders.

Western interest only grew in the second half of the twentieth century, when scientists began researching the bioactive compounds in mushrooms. Since then, the market has developed strongly worldwide, particularly in the US, Japan and increasingly in Europe. We now know that mushrooms contain hundreds of bioactive compounds that are not found together in any other food.

Consider beta-glucans (complex polysaccharides), triterpenes, ergosterol (provitamin D2), hericenones, cordycepin, and that is only the beginning. Moreover, mushrooms contain all essential amino acids, an impressive vitamin B profile, and dozens of minerals and trace elements.

Kala Health has combined seven of the most researched and bioactively rich mushrooms into one formula: the Vegan Mushroommix BIO.

Consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives to synthetic supplements with a clear botanical origin. Medicinal mushrooms combine a long traditional history of use with growing scientific interest.

Who is it suitable for?

• Healthy adults who want to supplement their lifestyle with a plant-based supplement
• Vegans and vegetarians (entirely free from animal ingredients)
• Anyone looking for organic, certified supplementation

Organic quality: no compromise

It is important to understand that mushrooms are hyperaccumulators. This means they absorb virtually everything from their environment, including heavy metals, pesticides and chemical contaminants. This makes the growing environment crucial to the final quality, more so than with any other supplement.

The seven mushrooms in Vegan Mushroommix BIO are grown on an EU organic certified farm (SKAL certified), and every harvest is analysed by an independent laboratory for:

• Heavy metals
• Pesticides and chemical residues
• Bacterial contamination

Kala Health deliberately does not use wild mushrooms from uncontrolled areas. The growing environment is the guarantee, and that guarantee is certified.

Why water extraction? The chitin problem

The reason the mushrooms are boiled in water is simple: a raw or unprocessed mushroom delivers virtually nothing to your body. The reason lies in the cell wall.

The cell walls of mushrooms are not made of cellulose (as in plants), but of chitin, the same tough material that forms the shells of insects and crustaceans. Locked inside these chitin walls are the beta-glucans, the compounds that make mushrooms so special. Chitin is a polysaccharide, just like beta-glucans themselves, but completely indigestible for humans.

The consequences are significant: without extraction, the bioactive compounds pass through the body largely unused. You can take the finest mushroom in the world as a raw or dried powder, but without hot water extraction, the active compounds remain literally trapped behind a cell wall that your digestion cannot break through.

Hot water resolves this. It breaks down the chitin layer, releasing vitamins, minerals and active compounds into the extraction liquid. This liquid is then converted, through freeze-drying, into a stable, readily absorbable powder.

Two additional benefits of the cooking process

In addition to releasing active compounds, hot water has two other relevant effects.

Breakdown of undesirable compounds. Some raw mushrooms contain compounds that are less desirable when consumed regularly in large quantities. Heating breaks these substances down. A well-known example is shiitake: if insufficiently heated, lentinan can cause a rare skin reaction (shiitake dermatitis). Proper heating breaks down this compound and eliminates that risk.

Hygiene. The cooking process sterilises the material, killing any bacteria and moulds that may be present. For organically grown mushrooms (without pesticides and artificial protection), this is a relevant quality safeguard.

The seven mushrooms

Each mushroom in this formula was selected based on scientific research into its bioactive composition. Together they form a broad and complementary spectrum of active compounds.

Each capsule of Vegan Mushroommix BIO contains 75 mg of each of these mushrooms.

What is actually in it?

The Vegan Mushroommix BIO is a rich source of bioactive compounds. Below is an overview of the main categories that have been demonstrated in the seven mushrooms:

Some measured values, by way of illustration: the protein content in mushrooms typically ranges between 10 and 40% of dry weight. Vitamin B2 averages between 1.8 and 5.1 mg per 100 g of dry weight, vitamin B3 between 31 and 65 mg per 100 g, and folic acid between 0.36 and 0.64 mg per 100 g (Stamets, 2003).

Fruiting bodies, no mycelium

The Vegan Mushroommix BIO from Kala Health uses fruiting bodies only, not mycelium.

This is an important distinction in the market. The fruiting body is the actual mushroom: the visible part with cap and stem, where bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans occur in the highest concentrations.

Many products in this segment do not use fruiting bodies but mycelium-on-grain: the underground root network of the fungus, grown on a grain substrate such as rice or oats. The problem: the mycelium does not fully break down that grain, meaning the final product consists in substantial part of grain starch rather than mushroom. The ratio of active compounds to fillers is therefore significantly lower than in products based on fruiting bodies.

Kala Health deliberately chooses a 1:1 water extract from the fruiting body: all bioactive compounds of the mushroom are fully retained, without dilution from mycelium or grain fillers.

Product features

• Seven mushrooms in one formula: Cordyceps, Reishi, Maitake, Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, Chaga and Oyster Mushroom
• 75 mg per mushroom per capsule (525 mg total)
• Fruiting bodies only, no mycelium-on-grain
• 1:1 hot water extract for maximum availability of bioactive compounds
• EU organic certified (SKAL)
• Tested per harvest for heavy metals, pesticides and bacterial contamination
• Plant-based capsules (HPMC), suitable for vegetarians and vegans
• Product Specification Sheet available in the product gallery
• Free from preservatives and from synthetic fragrances, colours and flavours

About Kala Health

Kala Health was founded in 1997 by Paul Klein Breteler. Since then, he has formulated his own supplements, treated clients and advised on nutrition and supplementation. This combination of developing, producing and advising has always been at the heart of Kala Health. We make no compromises on quality and carefully test all raw materials in independent laboratories.

Today we work with a team of nutrition specialists, an in-house therapist and a pharmacist. Everything happens in our own FSSC 22000-certified facility in the Netherlands: from raw material analysis to finished product, under our own supervision. This integrated approach enables us to deliver products you can fully rely on: transparent, pure and effective.

References

1. Stamets, P. (2003). Potentiation of cell-mediated host defense using fruitbodies and mycelia of medicinal mushrooms. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 5(2), 179-191.

Mandatory statements

There are no EU-approved health claims for mushrooms. The information on this page describes the composition and origin of the ingredients, not proven medical effects.

Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Consult a qualified professional before using supplements in case of pregnancy, lactation, medication use or illness.

Questions about the Vegan Mushroommix BIO?

Would you like to know more about our Vegan Mushroommix BIO or do you have questions about your own situation? Our team of nutrition specialists and therapists is happy to help. Call us on (+31) 070 345 0290 or email info@kalahealth.eu.