After my post about 6 Lifestyle Changes That Helped Improve My Thyroid Health, I received numerous questions about how I use medicinal mushrooms for thyroid health. I’m excited to share my experiences and tips on incorporating these powerful functional foods into your routine for better thyroid function and overall wellness.
Firstly I wanted to share that I don’t see mushroom powders as supplements, but more as functional foods I like to include in my diet long term. I buy the powders from Time Health and add them to things like tea, coffee, smoothies, porridge and savoury foods. It’s super easy, and doesn’t feel like a supplement I have to remember to take every day.
Before I go into the details of which mushrooms I like and why, I wanted to speak to the common misconception around the immune system ‘boosting’ effect. You might wonder if boosting your immune system won’t make the autoimmunity worse! But that’s not how medicinal mushrooms work. The mechanism of action is not stimulating. Rather, it is immuno-modulating (via the action of polysaccharides called beta glucans). Balancing the Treg/Th17 ratio, which leads to reduction of autoimmunity (with both research and lots of evidence supporting this claim). (PMID: 16030389)
Medicinal mushrooms have so many different different health benefits with antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory and even anti-cancer effects. In addition, these nature wonders accelerate metabolism, help fight obesity, and slow down the ageing process thanks to their high antioxidant activity. They can support our brains, our nervous system and yes, our thyroid function!
They have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, and are now widely recognised for multiple pharmacological benefits by western and functional medicine.
I have been using various mushrooms in practice with great success, supporting my, and my clients, journey into remission. I used it in Hashimoto’s, Graves’, and also in thyroid conditions without autoimmunity.
I mainly use Time Health as my mushroom supplier as I trust the quality of their ingredients and quality control without a hefty price tag.
If you use my code ‘aggie15’ you will save a further 15% off your order.
The three mushrooms that I use all the time in my practice are:
1. Cordyceps (Cordyceps Sinesis)
Thyroid healing
Cordyceps has been shown to improve thyroid markers in both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Disease (PMID: 27721890) with decrease in TSH and antibody levels, and improve conversion.
Energy, stamina and libido boost
Studies have shown its ability to boost cellular energy production ATP, stamina nd exercise performance! (PMID: 33312018) If fatigue is one of your symptoms or you want to up your game in the gym – give Cordyceps a go!
2. Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)
Brain fog busting
Lion’s mane is known for it’s neuroprotective benefits (via improved synthesis of NGF) and is showing promising effects on dementia prevention, improving cognitive ability and even symptoms of depression. (PMID: 37958943)
Gut microbiome balancing
Lion’s Mane as well as Reishi can do absolute wonders for your microbiome diversity. They maintain intestinal barrier integrity, and increase the diversity and richness of gut microbiota. (PMID: 28087447) I don’t want to brag but my stool test has recently come back with top scores for my own microbiome and I attribute it to my daily consumption of mushrooms (and sauerkraut!)
3. Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum)
Anxiety reduction and adaptogenic properties
Reishi has been shown to reduce anxiety and I recommend it in the evenings as a part of your wind-down routine! Works wonders in a ceremonial cacao, but also in coffee. If you are sensitive to caffeine but don’t want to part ways with a morning cuppa, adding Reishi can have a balancing effect. (PMID: 33265969)
Immunomodulation
Reishi, just like Lion’s Mane, has been extensively studied for immunomodulation (as well as microbiome balancing, acting as a prebiotic, optimising the balance of good bacteria and eradicating pathogens. (PMID: 38572237)
Every one of these mushroom species will provide more than one benefit! What is worth noting here is that they do have a synergistic effect, so considering a mushroom mix might be a good idea.
If you would like personalised guidance on how to incorporate these into a wider protocol as well as specific dosages, consider joining the next round of BLOOM, my signature 3 month Root Cause Reset Programme. The programme will start late September, and you can hop on the waiting list now here for some extra bonuses.