Mushroom Complex

Key Ingredients in Mushroom Complex, a Mushroom Supplement for Dogs and Cats

Organic Powdered Mushroom Extract Blend

Mushroom Complex provides cats and dogs with Turkey Tail mushrooms, Red Reishi mushrooms, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms in a mushroom powder supplement. Mushroom Complex is made from fruiting bodies of these mushrooms, rather than mycelium, and provides the richest source of cell wall components, beta glucans.¹ To maximize this quality, each mushroom has been wildcrafted or grown on natural wood substrates. 

The benefits of this blend of powdered mushrooms as a supplement for dogs and cats is superior to a single mushroom supplement. This is due to the increased diversity of various beta glucan fragments found in different types of mushrooms.² These important details make Mushroom Complex a quality supplement to target cellular, immune, and gut health.

Beta-Glucans

Beta-glucans are a natural component of the cell walls of fungi -- including mushrooms and yeasts – as well as bacteria, and cereal grains such as oats.

Beta-glucans are also called biological response modifiers (aka mediators). They have been shown to have the potential to modulate the immune system, both the innate and adaptive components of the immune system.

Mushroom Complex contains two ingredients which provide beta-glucans: a blend of three powdered mushrooms, and a unique strain of oats derived from wild ancient variants.

Oats

The oats used in Mushroom Complex, a mushroom supplement for cats and dogs, is a unique strain of oats derived from wild ancient variants.

Wild oats have demonstrated a higher amount of protein content, and protein utilization than conventional oats is a secondary source of beta glucans. Cereal grains have their own specific glucan configuration: β-(1,3/1,4)-glucans. When used in combination with fungal beta glucans, ancient oats may contribute to both chemo-diversity and overall concentration of beta glucans in the total product to support gastrointestinal and immune health in dogs and cats.

Bovine Colostrum

Bovine colostrum in Mushroom Complex is sourced from a whole food (cow’s milk) and supports a normal healthy immune response in the GI tract.³

In canine bodies, bovine colostrum supports immune system health, healthy inflammatory processes, and the gut-immune axis via microbiome modulation. In feline bodies, bovine colostrum supports immune system health, healthy inflammatory processes, healthy intestinal environment, and the gut-immune axis via microbiome modulation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the mushrooms in Mushroom Complex safe for dogs and cats? 

Mushroom Complex provides cats and dogs with Turkey Tail mushrooms, Red Reishi mushrooms, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms. As it is designed to be used, the mushrooms in Standard Process Mushroom Complex are safe for dogs and cats 

How are the mushrooms you use grown? 

The mushrooms represented in Mushroom Complex are either wildcrafted or cultivated on logs or sawdust. We use the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms, rather than mycelium, to provide the richest source of cell wall components, beta glucans.¹ What are beta-glucans? Beta-glucans are a natural component of the cell walls of bacteria, fungi including mushrooms and yeasts, as well as cereals such as oats. Beta-glucans are also called biological response modifiers (aka mediators). They have been shown to have the potential to modulate the immune system, both the non-specific (also known as innate) and specific (also known as adaptive, acquired, trained, humoral) components of the immune system. 

Where do you source your mushrooms from?

Our mushrooms are sourced from China — a country with a rich mushroom history. China supplies the vast majority of the world’s mushrooms, and has been known as the birthplace of mushroom cultivation since the 1200s. As with all ingredients we source, the mushrooms in our products come from hand-picked providers who share our passion for quality. 

Why don’t you grow mushrooms on your certified organic farm? 

Mushroom cultivation requires different growing conditions and processes than those which are currently utilized on our certified organic farm. 

Can I give my dog or cat Mushroom Complex with other medications?

As it is designed to be used, the ingredients in Mushroom Complex have no known contraindications or interactions with any drug. It is always best to consult your veterinary professional when considering the addition of a supplement to your pets’ healthcare plan. Find a full list of available Standard Process suppliers here.

References: 

1. Bak, W.C., Park, J.H., Park, Y.A. & Ka, K.H. Mycobiology 3, 301-304 (2014).

2. Mironczuk-Chodakowska, I., Kujawowicz, K. & Witkowska, A.M. Nutrients 13 (2021).

3. Lefranc M-P, Lefranc G. 2001. Academic Press; 2001.