PRO FAQ

What are polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are complex sugars made up of long chains of simple sugars, such as glucose. These long chains serve as the basis for many natural substances, such as starch in plants, cellulose in wood and fibre, and glycogen, which we store in our bodies as an energy store.

Polysaccharides can affect the immune system in different ways:

Immunomodulation: some polysaccharides, such as beta-glucans, have the ability to modulate the immune system. They can activate various immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, improving the body's defences against infections.

2. Anti-inflammatory effects: some polysaccharides have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammatory reactions in the body and promote healing.

3. Stimulation of antibody production: Polysaccharides can promote the production of specific antibodies, which boosts the immune system's ability to recognize and fight pathogens.

What are beta-glucansand why are they important to us?

Betaglucans, especially beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans, are a type of complex sugar and belong to the group of polysaccharides (see previous question). They are made up of chains of glucose molecules linked by specific beta-glycosidic bonds. It is these bonds that give beta-glucans their specific structure and unique properties.

Betaglucans are found in the cell walls of fungi, yeasts, cereals (e.g. oats and barley), algae and some bacteria. As far as the effect on the immune system is concerned, studies have shown that betaglucans from vital mushrooms are the best.

What are the main functions and effects of betaglucans?

1. Strengthening the immune system: betaglucans are known for their ability to stimulate the immune system. They activate macrophages, neutrophils and other cells that are crucial for the body's defense against infections and cancer cells.

2. Lowering cholesterol: Some studies show that beta-glucans can help lower blood cholesterol levels, which promotes heart and blood vessel health.

3. Improving gut health: betaglucans can act as prebiotics, which means they promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, contributing to the health of the digestive system.

Thus, betaglucans are biologically active substances that have a wide range of beneficial effects on human health.

Why are fungal betaglucansbetter than yeast betaglucansin terms of their effect on the immune system?

1. Structure and composition: fungal betaglucans, especially those derived from vital fungi, have specific structures that are very effective in activating immune cells. These glucans often contain complex branched structures that are more bioactive and bind better to immune cell receptors such as macrophages and dendritic cells.

2. Bioavailability. This means that the body can use their immunomodulatory properties more effectively.

3. Synergistic effects: Mushrooms contain not only betaglucans but also other bioactive compounds such as terpenes, sterols, enzymes or polysaccharide peptides that can have a synergistic effect on the immune system. This means that their combination with beta-glucans may increase the overall immunomodulatory effect.

Thus, overall, mushroom betaglucans tend to be considered more potent and effective immunomodulators due to their specific structure, better bioavailability and the synergistic effects of other substances present in mushrooms.

It is worth noting here that mushrooms as a whole can not only strengthen the immune system, but also dampen it when its response is inadequate. Both of these opposing abilities are supported by scientific tests. However, no study has yet shown how the body knows how to react to beta-glucans. To dampen or to stimulate? However, it is always a good decision. It will do what's best for it.

Why is it better to determine the amount of beta-glucansin mushrooms than polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides have so far been a good measure of efficacy. Thus their optimal ratio, i.e. about 30% polysaccharides in a given extract. If the percentage was less, the effect was weaker. If the concentration was higher, it was at the expense of the other active ingredients. Which is not good because it changes the effect of the mushroom. Reishi doesn't work like Reishi anymore.

Betaglucans are part of polysaccharides. It's the main substance that carries the immunomodulatory effect. Mainly beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans.

Polysaccharides contain other glucans besides beta-glucans, such as alpha-glucans. However, these do not usually have a significant effect on the immune system.

It is therefore more meaningful to determine the amount of betaglucans in fungal extracts. Again, an optimal ratio of between 30-40% is important.

How are the PRO series mushrooms better than the mushrooms you have been selling so far?

For three reasons:

1. Despite the high concentration of beta-glucans, we have also managed to achieve an optimal ratio of the other active ingredients thanks to the combined extraction. That is, despite the high concentration of betaglucans, the resulting extract contains all the important substances in a similar ratio to a mushroom you would find in nature. Only in a higher concentration.

2. It does not contain any additives or binders.

3. PRO extracts are (together with beta-glucans) standardized to other active substances:

Cordyceps - cordycepin, mannitol, adenosine

Hericium - herinacenes, erinacenes

How is it possible to have the same amount of beta-glucansand polysaccharides in one mushroom?

It is because for some extracts we have reached such purity that the amount of polysaccharides is basically equal to the amount of betaglucans.

Some of the disparity is also due to different testing methods. Polysaccharides are tested differently from betaglucans.

Can you send me tests for betaglucan?

Yes, I can. Just write to obchod@mycomedica.cz.

Can you send me tests for polysaccharides?

Yes, I can. Just email obchod@mycomedica.cz.

Can you send me tests for other active ingredients?

Yes. Just write to obchod@mycomedica.cz.

Does the PRO line contain any substances that are not from the mushroom?

No. The products in the PRO line contain Real Mushrooms. That is, due to the combined extraction, we do not need to use any binders or fillers.

Does the PRO series contain any binders or other additives?

No. The products of the PRO series contain True Mushrooms. This means that we do not need to use any binders or fillers due to the combined extraction.

Which substance determines the effect of the sponge? For example, the fact that Coriolus is anti-inflammatory.

That's a good question. For Coriolus specifically, certain types of polysaccharides (PSK and PSP), beta-glucans, triterpenes, ergosterol, flavonoids and phenolic compounds have been implicated in its anti-inflammatory effects according to studies.

However, it is important to maintain a holistic approach to mushrooms and to view the mushroom as a complex of active substances and also as a complex of relationships between these substances.

This gives the mushroom its overall effect. The whole complex of all the active substances determines the effect of a given mushroom. This is why Reishi has a different effect on the human body than, for example, Coriolus.

And frankly, most of the mechanisms of action we are not yet able to describe scientifically. So even scientific studies should be taken with a grain of salt.

Each mushroom has its active ingredients put together a little differently. And while all vital mushrooms can modulate the immune system, each has slightly different effects on the human body. That's why Chaga addresses gut inflammation better than Coprinus, for example. And Coprinus is better at harmonizing blood sugars.

What is the combined extraction that you produce in the PRO series?

Combined extraction is an innovative method of hot water and alcohol extraction where we divide the mushroom ground into a fine powder into several parts and extract each part using a special extraction method.

In this way, we increase the concentration of important beta-glucans in the resulting extract and maintain the optimal ratio of other active substances.

We will not release any more information about the combined extraction, it is company know-how. We don't want our competitors to offer the same tomorrow.

Which mushrooms are double extracted?

It only makes sense for Reishi and Chaga. It doesn't make sense for other mushrooms.

What do you test your mushrooms for?

We test our mushrooms for all sorts of harmful substances.

For pesticides, heavy metals, radioactivity, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (formed during drying) and microbial contaminants or, for example, ETO (ethylene oxide), which is formed during sterilization. We test mushrooms for more than 550 of these harmful substances.

We test for many more substances than the law requires because we want to make sure our extracts are safe and effective.

What's more. We also test our mushrooms for what they should contain: polysaccharides, beta-glucans and other active ingredients. These are always listed with each product.

Do you test your mushrooms yourself or do you trust your Chinese supplier?

Mushrooms are always tested on the grower and processor side. We also always test them after they are imported into the country to make sure they are okay. Testing is expensive for us, but double checking is very important. We are known as testing fanatics 

Can mushrooms hurt me?

We observe virtually no negative side effects when taking vital mushrooms. I wrote above about the inconveniences in the early days of use tied to weakened digestion or a "cleansing" reaction.

Allergic reactions are also rare.

Mushrooms can be taken concurrently with most medications. They just need to be taken at a different time, observing the "fasting" rule. They can also be used during cancer treatment alongside chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological treatment. It is advantageous because mushrooms support immunity and, above all, strengthen the vitality of a person, who then copes better with the negative effects of conventional treatment.

What we do not recommend:

• Taking Auricularia mushroom concomitantly with blood-thinning medications.
• Taking mushrooms shortly after transplants. I usually recommend starting only about 2 years after transplant.
• Take mushrooms during pregnancy. With the exception of Reishi. But different therapists approach this problem differently. Some give all mushrooms including Auricularia. When breastfeeding, there is no problem taking all mushrooms.

In most other cases, mushrooms can be taken concurrently with drugs that suppress immune reactions (immunosuppressants)(not after transplants). In fact, mushrooms can not only strengthen the immune system if it is weakened, but also suppress it if it reacts inappropriately. Either to foreign substances such as pollen, which are allergic reactions, or it reacts inappropriately to its own healthy cells, which are autoimmune reactions.

Why is the substrate on which the fungus grows important?

The substrate on which the fungus grows is very important. Firstly, it determines what the ratio of active substances in the mushroom will be and secondly, it must be very clean so that it does not transfer harmful substances to the mushroom.

More about the substrates on which our mushrooms are grown can be found here.

In our portfolio you will find several mushrooms that grow in nature reserves, in their natural habitat (e.g. Chaga or Coriolus).

Why do you use only fruiting bodies to produce your products?

In our experience, the highest concentration of active ingredients is found in the fruiting bodies. Higher than in the mycelium (mycelium, roots of the fungus). Some companies use the mycelium, but that's a bit problematic. The mycelium is very difficult to separate from the substrate on which it grows. And it often gets into the final product. Which we don't want.