Fruiting Body vs. Mycelium: Which Is Better?
The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom you would recognize as the mushroom itself, with its big cap and stem.
Mycelium is the network of tiny threads that makes up much of a mushroom's structure, usually underground or grown on grain.
Lion’s Mane fruiting bodies contain compounds called hericenones, while mycelium can contain erinacines.¹
So which should you choose?
For a daily mushroom supplement, we prefer fruiting bodies.
Fruiting bodies contain higher levels of the mushroom’s naturally occurring beta-glucans and other beneficial compounds, making them a more complete source for supplements.
When shopping, check the Supplement Facts label. Look for “fruiting body,” rather than simply looking for the word “mushroom.”
10:1 vs. 4:1 Extracts: Which Is Better?
You may see mushroom supplements labeled 4:1, 10:1, or another extract ratio.
What does that mean?
A 10:1 extract means that 10 parts of the original mushroom were used to make 1 part of extract.
A 4:1 extract means that 4 parts of mushroom were used to make 1 part of extract.⁹
So, based on the starting material:
10:1 = a more concentrated extract than 4:1.
The extract ratio tells you how much starting mushroom was used. It doesn't tell you exactly how much of the mushroom's beneficial compounds are in the finished product.
That's why you should look at the extract ratio AND the actual amount per serving.
For example:
1,000 mg of a 10:1 extract represents 10,000 mg of starting mushroom based on that stated ratio.
Our pick: Look for a clearly labeled extract that provides a meaningful daily amount of Lion’s Mane (800 mg – 1,000 mg).
