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5 Mushrooms For Dogs That Promote Longevity
Mushrooms contain numerous beneficial nutrients, such as beta glucans and polysaccharides that have been demonstrated to support immune function, increase energy levels and decrease stress levels in dogs. Earth Buddy recommends providing your pup with a natural source of these benefits with a blend of five functional mushrooms such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail Maitake Cordyceps.
Reishi Mushroom
Are You Searching for the Perfect Superhero Food to Support Your Pet’s Success? Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) Mushroom has long been recognized as “Mushroom of Immortality.” Reishi offers numerous health-promoting properties that help your furry pal flourish – from increasing immunity, decreasing stress levels, and helping promote restful sleep reishi is the natural choice to support pet wellness.
Reishi fungus is one of nature’s most versatile and useful organisms, known as an effective immune booster and tonic. Reishi’s fruit bodies (the reproductive structures) only last briefly before dispersing spores to inoculate new trees or logs where mycelium can establish itself and start spreading again.
When purchasing reishi, make sure it contains both fruit bodies for maximum bioavailability and potency. At MycoDog, our dual extraction process unlocks these powerful compounds before suspending them in organic vegetable glycerin made from coconut as a safe delivery system – perfect for pets without sugar overload!
Reishi has an unpleasant flavor, so the most effective form is usually tincture or powder/capsule which can easily be added into food or hidden treats.
Reishi comes in various forms that all provide its time-honored health benefits – Longevity Mushroom Powder to capsules and treats are just some of the options we have to help support your pet’s immune system and overall wellness.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushrooms have become increasingly popular over recent years, alongside reishi and turkey tail varieties. Renowned for their brain-boosting benefits, Lion’s mane is often suggested as an alternative treatment option for Alzheimer’s medication.
Contrary to many other varieties, such as those poisonous to pets, medicinal varieties like Reishi, Shiitake Maitake and Turkey Tail contain bioactive compounds that have the ability to strengthen immunity while decreasing inflammation and acting as powerful antioxidants. They have long been utilized as traditional remedies and scientific research confirms their healing powers.
One small clinical trial demonstrated the positive impact of lion’s mane mushrooms in improving cognitive function for those suffering mild dementia. This may be because their hericenones and erinacines stimulate nerve cell growth within the brain, encouraging neural communication and increasing overall memory retention.
Lion’s mane may also help protect against cardiovascular disease due to its ability to improve gut bacteria health and reduce oxidative stress. Studies also demonstrate how it may help those suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.
For optimal results, it’s essential to source your lion’s mane from a reliable source. Look for bright white mushrooms with shaggy caps and firm textures; avoid any that are slimy, soft or dried out. When purchasing supplements featuring lion’s mane as the primary ingredient, choose organic products without fillers or synthetic additives such as Animal Essentials LONGEVITY Mushroom Powder as its fine powder form makes it simple and straightforward for pet parents and vets alike to add it into meals and supplements your pet’s daily diet – great especially for senior pet parents!
Turkey Tail Mushroom
Turkey Tail mushroom (Turkey Tail Polypore, Trametes versicolor) is an effective immune booster, packed with anti-inflammatory compounds to support cellular health and enhance the body’s natural defenses against infections. Turkey Tail mushrooms also balance your immune system so it responds effectively against infections without overreacting and leading to autoimmune disorders.
Turkey tail mushrooms’ primary benefit lies in their high levels of beta-glucans, which significantly boost immune function when consumed. Consuming them stimulates macrophages and other white blood cells which engulf pathogens and cell debris from your system while simultaneously helping strengthen it when you’ve experienced stress, illness or age related weakness in the immune system. They may even help strengthen it against stressors like stress, illness or age related weakening.
Additionally, turkey tail mushrooms contain prebiotics which promote beneficial gut bacteria by aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. This helps prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria as well as food intolerances that could otherwise lead to inflammation or poor gastrointestinal health in pets.
Turkey tail mushrooms are powerful anti-inflammatories that can significantly decrease joint pain and inflammation for dogs with arthritis or chronic conditions, by relieving pressure off joints and decreasing swelling that causes discomfort. This can reduce joint-related aches and pains while improving mobility.
Turkey tail mushrooms are widely recognized for their adaptogenic effects, meaning that they help the body adapt to stress by strengthening immunity and fighting disease more effectively. Furthermore, turkey tail mushrooms serve as powerful anti-oxidants which protect against free radical damage caused by free radicals while simultaneously increasing vitality levels and overall vitality.
Maitake Mushroom
Maitake fungus offers multifaceted health support for dogs, from immune modulation and metabolic balance to fighting cancer and strengthening immunity to disease and stress. Furthermore, maitake can also promote overall vitality and wellbeing throughout their lives.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa), an Eastern medicinal mushroom, has long been revered for its ability to stimulate immunity and support overall wellbeing. It grows dense, frilly clusters resembling light brown cauliflower that can reach 36 inches wide.
Maitake mushroom supplements come in liquid, capsule or powder form for easy mixing with your dog’s food. When selecting one for your pup, be sure to select a supplement specifically formulated for them and certified free from fillers or synthetic additives; third-party testing to verify purity may also be useful in selecting one that’s grown without pesticides or harmful chemicals being used during its growth is also highly desirable.
When selecting a maitake mushroom supplement for your pet, it’s also essential to carefully consider its source. The highest-grade products come from fruiting bodies of the fungus instead of mycelium which may contain less pure extract and even contain unnecessary starch. Make sure the label clearly states which type of extract was used and ensure it has gone through rigorous quality controls.
Maitake mushrooms offer more than immune support; they also assist in managing blood sugar levels and weight management by impacting fat metabolism. Research conducted with rats also indicates they reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels via binding them with soluble fibers – this suggests maitake may offer beneficial results for pets living with diabetes or being overweight.
Cordyceps Mushroom
Cordyceps is an exotic and expensive mushroom used by Tibetan monks to increase energy and endurance levels. Studies have shown it increases oxygen utilization and blood flow throughout the body as well as immune-enhancing properties, with research suggesting increased production of corticosteroids which help the body deal with stress and fatigue. Cordycepin, one of its compounds present in cordyceps, has also been proven to stimulate production of immune cells while increasing activity levels among immunocompromised animals and humans alike – in addition to being antitumor, hepatoprotective, sexual function enhancement, hypoglycemic and antifatigue effects!
Studies have demonstrated that supplementing with cordyceps militaris mushroom blend can increase aerobic performance within one week of supplementation; however, a longer trial duration is needed to evaluate its ergogenic potential. Cordyceps militaris has also been found to significantly improve oxygen kinetics and time to exhaustion during exercise in humans (Ko & Leung 2007), stimulate release of cytokine stimulating monocyte concentration increase as well as reverse Taxol-induced leukopenia in mice (Yamaguchi et al 1990).
Antimicrobial properties of ginger have been suggested, though more research needs to be conducted. Ginger also shows antitumor, antihypertensive and antidiuretic activities in mice; its activity also inhibits Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells as well as meth-A fibrosarcoma and EL-4 lymphoma cells from proliferating, in addition to B16 melanoma and colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, its immunomodulatory activity means it influences or suppresses immunity depending on which cells it interacts with, making this food essential in cancer patients’ diets.


