Skip to content
UmboUmbo

Meet the functional mushroom All-Star Team

An introduction to Oyster

The Utility Player

Oyster functional mushroom for athletes: The Utility Player

Meet Oyster

An introduction to Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), a functional mushroom: Why athletes should consider using Oyster, its benefits for performance and recovery, when to take it, and intake guidelines.
Oyster

Why Oyster is your new teammate

Think of Oyster functional mushrooms as an indispensable utility player. They do so much — a nutritional dynamo for athletes that are high in fiber, beta-glucans, and essential vitamins and minerals. They're also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, such as ergothioneine, that promote healthy cholesterol levels and help to reduce cellular damage and enhance overall health.

Makes us think of… Christian McCaffrey

Just calling him a running back only scratches the surface of the multifaceted skills that Christian McCaffrey brings to the NFL football teams he plays for. Not only is he a talented runner, he is also highly effective as a wide receiver, lining up in the slot or out of the backfield. Also, earlier in his career, he happened to be a return specialist. His consistent ability to adapt on the field, in addition to his high mental and physical performance, not only make him a stand-out football player, but also reflect the endurance and cognitive benefits of Oyster mushrooms.

Benefits of Oyster for Athletes

Foundational Endurance

The nutrient-rich composition of Oyster mushrooms helps build foundational endurance for athletes, supporting energy production and helping with stamina and longer-lasting performance. It’s like they help fill up that reserve energy tank.

Stress Buster

Oysters excel as a natural stress reducer, aiding optimal mental performance and focus. They can help athletes stay mentally sharp and composed, whether they’re strategizing their training plan or facing high-pressure situations, helping to prove that a mental edge can be just as important as physical prowess.

When to take Oyster functional mushrooms

Times when athletes can consider using Oyster mushrooms to help with performance:

  • Daily, in the morning: Use Oyster mushrooms as a part of a daily morning routine. Consistency is key — the benefits will accumulate over time to build everyday stamina.
  • On the go: Because they can help build energy, Oyster mushrooms are useful when athletes are on the go, helping to maintain energy levels before or after training, as well as in between meals.

How much should I take?

Here are rough intake guidelines for functional mushrooms: Each athlete has different needs, of course. And, there is no official regulatory agency that has determined any sort of recommended daily dosage. Based on our own experience, however, reading all the research and consulting with the professional trainers, nutritionists, and athletes that we know, we have a solid point of view on it. Please use it as an input, and also work with a professional, if you can, to figure out what works best for you.

A meaningful amount

An estimated ~300 mg – 1,000 mg per functional mushroom per day.

How much is enough functional mushrooms? For us, depending on the source of the mushrooms and quality of the extraction and production methods used, a meaningful amount of functional mushrooms is at least 300 mg of one functional mushroom on any given day.

Enough per day

At least 2,000 mg total intake of functional mushrooms daily.

We suggest getting at least 2,000 mg of functional mushrooms daily — in whatever combination of types and formats of mushrooms that makes sense to you. You know your sport, abilities, routines, and goals better than anyone else.

For example, this could mean taking 1,000 mg of two different mushroom tinctures as a part of your daily routine. Or it could mean eating a single bar containing 500 mg of five different mushrooms.

In a regular routine

For best results, use functional mushrooms consistently over time.

While many people feel effects from functional mushrooms right away, the most significant and lasting benefits come with consistent use over time. Regular intake allows the body to accumulate and use the active compounds more effectively, leading to sustained improvements in performance and recovery. Consistent use also helps in reducing inflammation and maintaining the body’s balance.

More from The Playbook