Mushrooms of #ExpoWest

Popular mushroom species today include reishi, cordyceps, lion's mane, agaricus, maitake, turkey tail and chaga. One type stands above the rest in today's supplements.

Todd Runestad, Content Director, NaturalProductsInsider.com

March 20, 2024

10 Slides

At a Glance

  • Natural Products Expo West showcases all that is new on the market.
  • Mushrooms were booming on the show floor.
  • Of all the species available today, one is king of the beasts.

Mushroom supplements are enjoying a surge in popularity, driven by their diverse health benefits. Even in California's marijuana dispensaries, some are offering psilocybin shrooms along with cannabis. Among the leading mushroom species for supplements, lion's mane stands out as the current favorite, used for its cognitive support, while reishi is favored for stress reduction and immune support. Cordyceps is gaining traction for its endurance and energy-boosting properties, and chaga is sought after for its antioxidant content. Additionally, blends incorporating multiple mushroom varieties are becoming increasingly popular for comprehensive health support. This trend reflects consumers' growing interest in natural, holistic approaches to wellness. Here's 10 supplements on the #ExpoWest show floor that illustrate this trend.

About the Author(s)

Todd Runestad

Content Director, NaturalProductsInsider.com, Natural Products Insider

Todd Runestad has been writing on nutrition science news since 1997. He is content director for NaturalProductsInsider.com and Natural Products Insider digital magazines. Other incarnations: supplements editor for NewHope.com, Delicious Living!, and Natural Foods Merchandiser. Former editor-in-chief of Functional Ingredients magazine and still covers raw material innovations and ingredient science.

Connect with me here on LinkedIn.

Specialty

Todd writes about nutrition science news such as this story on mitochondrial nutrients, innovative ingredients such as this story about 12 trendy new ingredient launches from SupplySide West 2023, and is a judge for the NEXTY awards honoring innovation, integrity and inspiration in natural products including his specialty — dietary supplements. He extensively covered the rise and rise and rise and fall of cannabis hemp CBD. He helps produce in-person events at SupplySide West and SupplySide East trade shows and conferences, including the wildly popular Ingredient Idol game show, as well as Natural Products Expo West and Natural Products Expo East and the NBJ Summit. He was a board member for the Hemp Industries Association.

Education / Past Lives

In previous lives Todd was on the other side of nature from natural products — natural history — as managing editor at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. He's sojourned to Burning Man and Mount Everest. He graduated many moons ago from the State University of New York College at Oneonta.

Quotes

"There is not a colds-and-flu season. There is a vitamin D-deficiency season."

"There is no such thing as inclement weather. Only improper attire."

Link answers question, "When taking magnesium, should you also take vitamin D3 2,000 IU?"

"Cannabis is nature's most nearly perfect plant."

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