with exclusive Purple PowerBlend™ is a unique formulation of four potent immunosupportive mushrooms.
- provide significant support and balance of healthy immune system responses.
- Certified organic ingredients
- Most clinically studied mushroom species†
- Non GMO
- Highest antioxidant activity of leading mushroom products†
How Does It Work?
Mushrooms belong to the Fungi Kingdom. Fungi digest food outside their bodies, releasing enzymes into the surrounding environment, breaking down organic matter into a form the fungus can absorb.1 Most mushrooms exist as microscopic filaments in soil or decaying wood and play a significant role in the balance of nature by recycling branches, leaves, logs, and other matter. 2
The visible mushroom is actually the fruiting body of the fungi. Below ground is the vegetative structure, mycelium, which is a network of many threadlike filaments called hyphae.1,2 As mushrooms have no chlorophyll, they must get all their nutrients from the biomass (organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis) where they live.3 Fungi may be
cultivated on a variety of substrate (an environment for mushroom propagation), including mulch, sawdust, corn cobs, newspapers, cardboard, fecal matter, human skin, soils, and sand.3,4 The nutrients present in specific biomass and substrate materials have a significant impact on the nutritional constituents of the inhabitant mushrooms.4
Polysaccharides
The most significant constituents of mushrooms are long chain polysaccharides (molecules formed from many sugar units) known as beta-glucans.5 These huge molecules act as immunoregulators in the human body, helping to stabilize and balance immune system function.† While beta-glucans are distributed throughout the mushroom body, the beta-glucan concentrations are significantly higher in the mycelium.2,5 Through innovative cultivation technology, the mushrooms in our have naturally-occurring high levels of polysaccharides, often as high as 15-20 percent.
The individual mushrooms in our Purple Mushroom Defense have been extensively studied for their support of the human immune system.5 This includes specific support of white blood cells, or lymphocytes, the primary cells of the immune system.† Lymphocytes fall broadly into three categories: T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. 6
|
Mushroom |
Health Benefit |
Organic Agaricus
Agaricus blazei |
Agaricus not only contains the greatest number of beta-glucans, it also contains a unique beta-glucan polysaccharide not found in other mushrooms species.7-12 In a clinical trial examining the beneficial effects of Agaricus blazei for support of immune function, NK cell activity was significantly higher in the Agaricus group in comparison with the placebo group.† Participants receiving Agaricus also reported better quality of life than was reported by the placebo group participants.†13 |
Organic Maitake
Grifola frondosus |
Native to the mountain forests of Japan, Maitake mushrooms are also known as Dancing Mushrooms, possibly reflecting the mushrooms' wavy, rippling appearance or the dance of joy mushroom hunters perform when they find Maitakes in the woods.14 There is an impressive body of Maitake research, including several clinical trials.15-20 In one study, Maitake was given to ten patients; measurement of T cells and NK cell activity was assessed at baseline and at the study's conclusion. The results demonstrated that Maitake supported immune system health and reduced the expression of biochemical markers in all of the participants.† Increased NK cell activity was reported at 16 percent before use of Maitake mushrooms up to 51 percent after their use.†21 |
Organic Coriolus
Trametes versicolor |
These attractive fan shaped multi-colored mushrooms are found growing on logs throughout the world's forests. Resembling a spread out turkey tail, Coriolus overlap in groups on fallen trees. 21 In recent years, it has been extensively demonstrated both pre-clinically and clinically that Coriolus has wide array of biological activities.†22-27 In a clinical trial, thirty-four subjects were given Trametes versicolor polysaccharides or placebo for 28 days. Significant benefits for lymphocyte health and serum immunoglobulin levels were noted.† There were no changes in the placebo group.28 |
Organic Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum |
Used for centuries as a tonic, Reishi is also called the Mushroom of Immortality, due to its support of the immune system.†1 This well-regarded mushroom has been extensively researched.29-33 In a recent clinical study, researchers determined that Ganoderma lucidum not only increased the mean number of NK cells, but also resulted in a significant increase in NK activity.†34 In a safety study to determine Reishi's effect on blood thinning mechanisms, healthy volunteers received 1.5 gm Reishi or placebo daily for 4 weeks. There were no significant changes in either group and all measurements (routine coagulation screen, fibrinogen concentration, von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor activity, platelet function analysis) remained within the normal range.†35 |
Purple Corn
The certified organic mushrooms in our Purple Mushroom Defense are grown on purple corn substrate, a nutrient-dense biomass. Purple corn is a crop grown in the valleys of the Peruvian Andes. There are different varieties; all originated from an ancestral line called Kculli that is still cultivated in Peru. The Kculli line is very old; evidence of Kculli corn has been found in archeological sites that date back 2,500 years.36
Purple corn contains several phenolics and anthocyanins, compounds with significant bioactive and functional properties. Anthocyanins are a type of complex flavonoid that produces blue, purple, or red colors. Research shows that crops with the highest total phenolic and anthocyanin content also have the highest antioxidant activity. 37-39 Due to their cultivation on purple corn substrate, the individual mushrooms in Purple Mushroom Defense (Agaricus blazei, Grifola frondosus, Trametes versicolor, and Ganoderma lucidum) have increased oxygen radical absorption capacities compared mushrooms grown on other substrates.†40
Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity
Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) is a measurement of antioxidant activity in nutrients. An oxygen radical, or free radical, is an atom that has an unpaired electron in its outer shell. Free radicals are very unstable and react quickly with other compounds, trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of a living cell. If the chain reaction is uncontrolled, it can generate millions of free radicals within seconds. 41
Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body's immune system's cells create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides also contribute to free radical formation.40
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don't become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either form. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage to cells and tissues.41
Our Purple Mushroom Defense has an ORAC value of 676 per serving. In comparison, the ORAC value of similar mushroom products range from 68 per serving to 171 per serving. The significant antioxidant capability of our Purple Mushroom Defense is clearly evident by its superior ORAC value.40
CONCLUSION
Unique among mushroom, antioxidant, or other immune supportive nutritional supplements, our Purple Mushroom Defense with exclusive Purple PowerBlend™ provides significant health benefits.† By cultivating mushrooms on organic Purple Kculli Corn , Purple Mushroom Defense provides superior support of immune system responses.†
Recommendations
Four UltraCaps™ daily. May be taken as two UltraCaps twice daily.
Precautions
If pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.
How Is It Supplied?
Storage Recommendations
Store at controlled room temperature, 59„a to 86„aF (15„a-30„aC)
References
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