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Breathe

Host Defense Mushrooms

4.6
(2187 ratings)
Cordyceps 340 mg
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Score 65.0

A blend of Cordyceps, Reishi, and Chaga for general immune and respiratory support, with moderate dosages and use of mycelium on grain.

Quantity: 60 Capsule(s)Servings size: 2 Capsule(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Immunity
Stress Relief
Sleep Support
Energy
Fitness

Score 65.0

A blend of Cordyceps, Reishi, and Chaga for general immune and respiratory support, with moderate dosages and use of mycelium on grain.

Analysis

Host Defense Breathe combines 340mg each of Cordyceps, Reishi, and Chaga. This blend is designed to offer synergistic benefits, particularly for respiratory health (implied by the product name) and broad immune support. Host Defense is a prominent brand in the mushroom supplement market, known for using mycelial biomass grown on grain. However, critics argue this method can lead to lower concentrations of active mushroom compounds due to grain starch content. The individual dosages of 340mg are modest for achieving strong, targeted effects from each mushroom.

Pros
  • Synergistic blend of three popular medicinal mushrooms known for immune and adaptogenic properties.
  • From Host Defense, a well-recognized and established brand in the mushroom supplement industry.
  • May support a broader range of health aspects due to the diverse mushroom combination.
Cons
  • Low individual dosages (340mg per mushroom), which may limit the efficacy for strong, targeted benefits.
  • Host Defense typically uses mycelium grown on grain, a method some experts contend may result in lower concentrations of beneficial compounds compared to fruiting body extracts.
  • Higher price per serving ($0.84) given the relatively low active mushroom content compared to concentrated extracts.
Warnings
  • None specific to the product ingredients or dosage. Individuals with mushroom allergies should exercise caution.
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$25.46($0.84 per serving)
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Walmart
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Effectiveness for goals

Dosage, timing & forms

Safety & interactions

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Chaga
340 mg
Reishi
340 mg
Cordyceps
340 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Organic
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Categories

The 340mg Cordyceps dosage is low. Furthermore, Host Defense's typical use of mycelium on grain can mean a lower concentration of active compounds relative to the total weight, impacting its overall potency compared to fruiting body extracts or standardized extracts.

Goals

The combination of Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps, all recognized for their immune-modulating properties, provides decent general immune support, although higher individual doses would likely offer more robust effects.
This blend of adaptogenic mushrooms offers a good foundational level of support for overall well-being and resilience, benefiting multiple bodily systems through their synergistic actions.
While Cordyceps contributes to energy, its 340mg dose is relatively mild. Reishi may support calm energy, but the overall impact on vigorous energy levels is limited.
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Cordyceps-M Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.5
(6739 ratings)
Offers 1000mg of highly pure Cordyceps militaris extract from a top brand. While not the cheapest, its superior quality and concentrated dose provide exceptional value for effective and reliable Cordyceps supplementation.
97 Value

Cordyceps-M Powder

Real Mushrooms
4.5
(5947 ratings)
Provides the same high-quality 1000mg Cordyceps militaris extract as the capsule version, offering potent, pure Cordyceps and flexibility, representing excellent value for dedicated users seeking purity and results.
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Genius Mushrooms

The Genius Brand
5.0
(12322 ratings)
A well-formulated blend including a solid 500mg Cordyceps sinensis alongside other beneficial mushrooms (Lion's Mane, Reishi), offering comprehensive support at a better combined value than the original Host Defense blend.
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Cordyceps Mushrooms 560 mg

Eclectic Herb
4.5
(185 ratings)
Offers an extremely high 2240mg dose of freeze-dried Cordyceps sinensis, a much more potent and naturally complete form than the likely mycelium on grain in the original Host Defense blend, providing superior efficacy.
98 Performance

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HealthForce SuperFoods Integrity Extracts
4.8
(138 ratings)
Features a substantial 2000mg Cordyceps extract with beta-glucans, providing a highly concentrated and effective dose far superior to the diluted and potentially less potent Cordyceps in the original blend.
95 Performance

Fermented Cordyceps 500 mg

Solaray
4.7
(401 ratings)
Delivers a high 2000mg dose of fermented Cordyceps militaris, a specific strain valued for its cordycepin content, with potentially enhanced absorption, offering superior efficacy compared to the original blend.
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