Adaptogen
A natural substance that helps the body maintain balance and resilience under physical or psychological stress, not by pushing in one direction, but by helping regulate the body's stress response systems. Functional mushrooms broadly are classified as adaptogens because their bioactive compounds support homeostasis over time rather than producing a single acute effect.
mitovito connection: SERENITY (Reishi) and DEFENSE (Chaga) are the two varieties most strongly associated with adaptogenic properties.

Alpha-Glucan
A type of polysaccharide where glucose units are linked by alpha-glycosidic bonds. Starch is the most common alpha-glucan, the primary storage carbohydrate in grains and cereal crops. Mycelium-on-grain products often contain high alpha-glucan (starch from the grain substrate), which has no functional mushroom activity and artificially inflates "total polysaccharide" figures on labels.
Why it matters: when a label says "30% polysaccharides" on a mycelium-on-grain product, much of that figure may be alpha-glucan starch, not functional beta-glucan.

Betulinic Acid
A pentacyclic triterpenoid compound derived from the bark of birch trees. In Chaga, betulinic acid is not synthesised by the fungus itself but is bioaccumulated from the birch bark host, which is why authentic birch-grown Chaga cannot be replicated by grain cultivation.
Found in: DEFENSE (Chaga) only. Cannot be replicated in any grain-grown product.

Beta-Glucan
A class of polysaccharide molecules found in the cell walls of fungi, yeasts, oats, and barley, where glucose units are linked by beta-glycosidic bonds. In functional mushrooms, the specific (1,3)-(1,6)-beta-D-glucan structures are the primary bioactive compounds, interacting with immune receptors in the gut (particularly Dectin-1 receptors on macrophages and dendritic cells).
All mitovito products are standardised to ≥30% polysaccharides (≥300mg per gram serving) in every variety.

Bioavailability
The proportion of a compound that enters circulation and is able to exert an effect after administration. For functional mushroom compounds, bioavailability depends primarily on whether the chitin cell walls have been broken down through extraction.
Why mitovito uses hot-water extraction: to maximise the bioavailability of the beta-glucan fraction in every pouch.

Chitin
A tough, fibrous structural polysaccharide that forms the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans. Human digestive enzymes cannot break down chitin, meaning bioactive compounds locked inside mushroom cell walls are not bioavailable from raw or ground mushroom powder without proper extraction.
The reason extraction exists: chitin must be broken down for beta-glucans to become bioavailable. Ground mushroom powder is not the same as mushroom extract.

Conk
A hard, shelf-like fungal structure, technically a sclerotium, that grows on the exterior of trees rather than producing a conventional cap-and-stem fruiting body. Chaga is a conk.
Explains why Chaga must be sourced from birch forests rather than conventional mushroom cultivation.

Cordycepin
A naturally occurring nucleoside analogue (3'-deoxyadenosine) found predominantly in Cordyceps species fruiting bodies. Structurally similar to adenosine, central to cellular energy metabolism through ATP synthesis.
The signature compound in ENERGY (Cordyceps militaris).

Certificate of Analysis (COA)
An official document produced by an accredited independent laboratory that provides verified test results for a specific production batch of a product. For functional mushrooms, a COA typically includes polysaccharide/beta-glucan content, a heavy metals panel, microbial contamination results, and species identity confirmation.

D-Fraction
A specific proteoglycan beta-glucan fraction isolated from the fruiting body of Grifola frondosa (Maitake), with a distinctive branched (1,3)-(1,6) beta-D-glucan molecular structure.
The signature bioactive fraction in METABOLIC (Maitake). Present only in fruiting body extract, not mycelium-on-grain.

Dual Extraction
An extraction method using two sequential solvents, typically hot water followed by alcohol, to capture both water-soluble compounds (polysaccharides, beta-glucans) and alcohol-soluble compounds (triterpenes, sterols).
mitovito uses hot-water extraction, optimised for beta-glucan polysaccharides. Reishi's triterpene absorption is enhanced when SERENITY is taken with oat milk or a small fat source.

Eritadenine
A purine alkaloid compound found exclusively in the fruiting body of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake). No analogous compound exists in any other commonly consumed food.
Found exclusively in VITALITY (Shiitake). One of two compounds unique to this species, the other being lentinan.

Erinacines
Cyathane diterpenoid compounds found in the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane). Studied alongside hericenones for their proposed interaction with nerve growth factor synthesis pathways.
The fruiting body contains hericenones; the mycelium contains erinacines. mitovito uses 100% fruiting body, so the relevant compound is hericenones.

Extract
A concentrated preparation produced by processing raw mushroom material with a solvent (water, alcohol, or both) to liberate and concentrate bioactive compounds from the chitin cell walls. A "10:1 extract ratio" means 10kg of raw mushroom produced 1kg of extract.
All mitovito products are hot-water extracts, not powders, not mycelium, not whole mushroom.

Fruiting Body
The visible, above-ground reproductive structure of a fungus, what most people think of as "the mushroom." This is where the highest concentrations of species-specific bioactive compounds are found, including hericenones, ganoderic acids, PSK, D-fraction, lentinan, eritadenine, and glucuronoxylomannans.
The foundation of the entire mitovito standard: 100% fruiting body in every pouch, never mycelium on grain.

GALT (Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue)
The network of immune cells and lymphoid structures located throughout the gastrointestinal tract, forming a major component of the body's immune system. Beta-glucans interact with GALT primarily by binding Dectin-1 receptors on macrophages and dendritic cells in the intestinal lining.
Why Turkey Tail (BALANCE) is recommended with food: the presence of food in the digestive tract supports GALT activity.

Ganoderic Acids
Triterpenoid compounds found exclusively in Ganoderma species (Reishi). Over 140 distinct ganoderic acid structures have been identified in Reishi's fruiting body. Fat-soluble, unlike water-soluble polysaccharides.
Found only in SERENITY (Reishi). Bioavailability is enhanced when taken with oat milk or any small fat source.

Glucuronoxylomannans
Acidic polysaccharides produced uniquely by Tremella fuciformis (Snow Mushroom). Structurally comparable to hyaluronic acid.
The signature compound in GLOW (Tremella), found in no other mitovito variety.

Hericenones
Diterpenoid compounds found exclusively in the fruiting body cap of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane). Studied for their proposed ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis.
The signature compounds in FOCUS (Lion's Mane), found in the fruiting body.

Hot-Water Extraction
An extraction method in which mushroom fruiting body material is combined with purified water and heated to 80 to 100°C in a pressurised vessel for a controlled duration, breaking down chitin cell walls and liberating water-soluble compounds. Used in traditional East Asian mushroom medicine for millennia.
The extraction method used for all 8 mitovito varieties.

Immunomodulation
The process of adjusting or regulating immune system activity, either up-regulating or down-regulating specific immune responses. Functional mushroom beta-glucans are classified as biological response modifiers that modulate rather than simply stimulate immune activity.
Relevant to BALANCE, DEFENSE, METABOLIC, and VITALITY, all studied for immune-modulating activity.

Krestin / PSK
The trade name for polysaccharide-K (PSK) derived from Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) fruiting body, an approved therapeutic adjunct in Japan since 1977.
The primary bioactive compound in BALANCE (Turkey Tail).

Lentinan
A specific (1→3)-beta-D-glucan isolated from the fruiting body of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) in Japan in the 1970s, one of the most studied individual polysaccharide compounds in functional mushroom science.
One of two signature compounds in VITALITY (Shiitake), present only in the fruiting body.

Melanin Complexes
Dark pigment compounds formed in the outer black crust of Chaga, structurally distinct from human skin melanin. A significant contributor to Chaga's high ORAC score.
Found exclusively in DEFENSE (Chaga).

Mycelium
The underground network of thread-like filaments that form the vegetative body of a fungus, the root system, not the mushroom itself. Generally lacks the species-specific compounds concentrated in the fruiting body. "Mycelium on grain" refers to mycelium cultivated on rice or other grain substrates where the grain isn't separated before processing, typically resulting in a product that is 50 to 70% rice starch.
What mitovito does not use. All 8 varieties use 100% fruiting body extract.

Mycotherapy
The studied, intentional use of fungi, primarily functional and medicinal mushroom species, to support wellbeing. Encompasses both traditional use and modern clinical and nutritional science.
The broader field within which mitovito positions its products.

NGF (Nerve Growth Factor)
A protein essential for the growth, maintenance, survival, and function of nerve cells. Discovered in the 1950s by Rita Levi-Montalcini, who received the Nobel Prize for the work. Hericenones and erinacines have been studied for their proposed ability to stimulate NGF synthesis.
The proposed mechanism behind FOCUS (Lion's Mane) cognitive research. "Proposed," the direct pathway in humans is still being studied.

ORAC
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, a laboratory assay measuring the antioxidant capacity of a substance. Chaga has one of the highest recorded ORAC scores of any natural food ingredient.
The scientific basis for DEFENSE (Chaga) being positioned as the antioxidant variety.

Polysaccharide
A large carbohydrate molecule made of many sugar units linked in chains. Not all polysaccharides are biologically equivalent: beta-glucans (functional) and starch/alpha-glucans (not functional in this context) are both polysaccharides, which is why "total polysaccharides" on a label can be misleading on mycelium-on-grain products.
mitovito standardises to ≥30% polysaccharides in a pure fruiting body extract with no grain substrate, meaning ≥300mg of beta-glucans per gram serving.

PSK (Polysaccharide-K)
A protein-bound (1→3)-beta-D-glucan found exclusively in the fruiting body of Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail).
Primary bioactive compound in BALANCE (Turkey Tail).

PSP (Polysaccharide-Peptide)
A polysaccharide-peptide complex found in the fruiting body of Trametes versicolor, chemically distinct from PSK but derived from the same species.
Second unique bioactive compound in BALANCE (Turkey Tail), alongside PSK.

Sclerotium
A hardened, compact mass of fungal mycelium that serves as a resting structure. Chaga is technically a sclerotium rather than a conventional fruiting body.
Why Chaga (DEFENSE) is different from the other 7 varieties.

Spray Drying
An industrial drying technique in which liquid extract is atomised into a fine mist and sprayed into hot, dry air, producing a stable dry powder with minimal exposure time and minimal degradation of the polysaccharide fraction.
The final production step for all 8 mitovito varieties, producing the fine, water-soluble powder that dissolves completely in a hot beverage.

Standardisation
The process of producing an extract with a guaranteed minimum level of a specified active compound, regardless of natural batch-to-batch variation in raw material. For functional mushrooms, expressed as a percentage of polysaccharides or beta-glucans per gram of extract.
mitovito standardises all 8 varieties to ≥30% polysaccharides, the minimum guaranteed in every batch.

Substrate
The growth medium on which fungal mycelium or fruiting bodies are cultivated. Directly influences compound content, Chaga's betulinic acid comes from its birch bark substrate, and mycelium-on-grain products contain grain starch because the grain substrate isn't separated from the mycelium.
Why substrate matters: Chaga's birch substrate gives it betulinic acid. Grain substrates in mycelium-on-grain products give those products rice starch.

Triterpenes
A class of naturally occurring organic compounds with a characteristic six-isoprene-unit structure. Most prominently found in Reishi, where they appear as ganoderic acids. Fat-soluble, unlike water-soluble polysaccharides.
Primary fat-soluble compounds in SERENITY (Reishi). Take with oat milk or a small fat source for improved bioavailability.

VO₂ Max
Maximum oxygen uptake, the maximum rate at which the body can consume oxygen during intense exercise, considered the primary measure of aerobic capacity.
The primary performance marker studied in Cordyceps research. The scientific basis for ENERGY's pre-workout timing recommendation.

Mushroom Terms Explained

Every term you will encounter when reading about functional mushrooms defined clearly, in plain language, in both English and French. No jargon without explanation. No claim without context.

Glossary