Every health fanatic knows about the power of functional mushrooms. Of all the varieties, turkey tail supplements are some of the most popular, thanks to their array of health benefits.
There are numerous ways to take this mushroom. Eating it is not the best choice, due to the mushroom’s less than pleasant flavor. Thankfully, there are plenty of other supplements out there to save the day with flavorless or tasty options.
Turkey tail mushroom capsules are some of the most popular products on the mushroom market. But what makes them so unique?
Check out this guide to turkey tail capsules to find out.
Potential Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms
There are lots of reasons to try turkey tail capsules. The benefits are numerous, mostly revolving around the immune system. Check out the potential benefits of turkey tail below.
Antioxidants
Like many other mushroom species, turkey tail is packed with antioxidants. ‘Antioxidant’ is a major buzzword in the health sphere, making it a significant compound.
The body is constantly subjected to oxidative stress due to unstable molecules called free radicals. Oxidative stress can cause chronic inflammation and lead to cellular damage. Thus, antioxidants are popular in anti-aging products that repair cells and lead to a younger-looking appearance. However, oxidative stress affects your insides, too.
It may be possible to supplement the body with antioxidants that can combat oxidative stress. Turkey tail is an excellent dietary source of antioxidants.
In one study, researchers discovered over 35 phenolic (antioxidant) compounds in turkey tail. This is alongside flavonoids and other antioxidants.
Good for the Immune System
Some antioxidants have immune-boosting properties. Turkey tail’s immunizing properties don’t stem from antioxidants alone, though.
This mushroom species also contains polysaccharopeptides – protein-bound polysaccharides (carbohydrates).
Two of the polysaccharopeptides in turkey tail are krestin (PSK) and polysaccharides peptide (PSP). Both of these have potent immune-boosting effects.
PSP, for example, can increase certain types of white blood cells that fight off infections. Meanwhile, PSK stimulates another type of cell that can combat toxins and promote immune health, and it can activate macrophages, which protect against some bacteria.
Taking turkey tail capsules can provide the overall immune system with a bit of a boost. It’s no wonder products like these turkey tail capsules from VidaCap are advertised to contain immunity activators.
Some of these immune-enhancing effects can also be more specific.
May Improve the Efficacy of Cancer Treatments
In some parts of the world, turkey tail is used in conjunction with certain cancer treatments.
A review of studies found that in people with breast cancer, gastric cancer, or colorectal cancer, patients treated with a combination of turkey tail and chemotherapy experienced a 9% reduction in 5-year mortality. This is compared to patients undergoing chemotherapy alone.
It’s vital to take a doctor’s advice regarding severe medical conditions, but the studies on turkey tail are undoubtedly exciting.
Benefits Gut Health
A healthy gut is absolutely essential to overall health. It’s not only critical to the immune system, but it may also impact your mood.
Fortunately, turkey tail may also be beneficial for gut health. One 8-week study saw 24 healthy individuals taking 3600mg of turkey tail-derived PSP every day. There were beneficial changes in the gut microbiome, suppressing the growth of E. coli and other harmful bacteria.
More broadly, a test-tube study also found that turkey tail extract increased populations of healthy bacteria, including Lactobacillus.
More research is likely needed to say anything for sure since human trials are few and far between. That said, the revelations so far are promising.
Why Use Capsules?
Since there are so many ways to consume turkey tail, why choose capsules?
As mentioned in the intro, turkey tails don’t have the best flavor. While the mushroom itself is edible, it’s not the most pleasant to eat. Plus, when it comes to supplements, eating the same ingredient every day isn’t exactly convenient.
Capsules are a cut above many other supplement options for several reasons.
- Tasteless: Compared to powders and the ‘real thing,’ turkey tail capsules have the advantage of being flavorless.
- Convenient: Almost everyone has taken a pill at some point in their lives. Capsules provide a simple format that most people are familiar with; all you do is pop a capsule in your mouth and swallow with a small amount of water.
- Pre-measured: With capsules, the manufacturer has measured out the perfect dose of turkey tail for you. There’s no mess and no hassle.
- Transportable: You can easily transport capsules and carry them with you on the go to take whenever you need them.
There are lots of reasons to love capsules; these are just a few of them. But don’t just take our word for it – try turkey tail capsules for yourself to see if they work for you.
If you find that capsules aren’t to your liking, then feel free to check out other consumption methods. With all the potential benefits of turkey tail, it’s worth it to find a supplement that fits your lifestyle.
