Triterpenes come from a few different sources, but the most well known tend to be the ganoderic acids from Reishi, betulinic acids from Chaga, or the boswellic acids from boswellia, although when people talk about triterpene supplements they usually mean the ones from the two mushrooms.
And seeing as triterpenes have been studied for quite a wide range of different health benefits, they've begun to pick up steam in the supplement world, especially when it comes to functional mushrooms, which is of course, our specialty.
So, we'll be covering what triterpenes are, what doses you should be looking for depending on your needs and of course we'll cover our best triterpene supplements too, but of course, if you can find a trustworthy brand that's standardized for the right doses they'll be fine too.
What Are Triterpenes?
Triterpenes is the name that we give to compounds that are made up of three terpenes, which does mean that there's a fair variety of types. And that means there's quite a wide range in their function. For the most part though they're known for anti inflammatory, stress relieving and immune boosting effects.
Typically triterpenes are found in the outer layers of plants and of course, as we've mentioned fungi, helping them defend against environmental stressors.
Reishi Mushrooms: The King of Triterpenes
One of the richest and most studied sources of triterpenes is Reishi mushrooms. (You can find ours here).
Given the name “Mushroom of Immortality” in traditional Chinese medicine, Reishi has been used for a long time, but it's only recently that we've had any studies to back up the rather lofty claims around the fungus.
Key Benefits of Reishi’s Triterpenes:
- Immune System Support: Reishi’s triterpenes help regulate immune responses, making it beneficial for those with weakened immunity, but also helping fight off colds and keep you feeling a bit less run down in the winter months for example.
- Liver Health: Triterpenes in Reishi have been shown to have hepatoprotective effects, aiding in detoxification and liver regeneration, but very few supplements match up with the doses used in studies for this. Ourselves included, so do make sure to keep that in mind if you're purchasing for this reason.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: In theory triterpenes can reduce inflammation, meaning that they can be particularly useful for people with conditions like arthritis and even low grade inflammation linked to metabolic disorders. That said, if you're looking for something in regards to this kind of issue, boswellia is generally more well studied than mushrooms.
- Stress Reduction: Reishi is known for its adaptogenic properties and it's the triterpenes that give it that ability to lower cortisol levels and combat stress.
- Cardiovascular Health: Some studies suggest that Reishi’s triterpenes may help lower cholesterol and improve heart health although the evidence here isn't as good as it is for immune support and stress.
Triterpene Content in Reishi Supplements
When choosing a Reishi supplement, look for extracts standardized to a high percentage of triterpenoids. Now, most sellers don't actually standardize for this and the percentages can vary wildly. A good extract should be standardized for 8% and up, but as Reishi naturally contains less than 1-2% unless it's been refined you're going to need to consume a lot more than you'll get in most single capsule supplements to get the doses that line up with the studies. The fruiting body of the mushroom often contains more triterpenes than mycelium-based products, but it doesn't really matter as long as it's standardized.
Dosages in Studies
- Immune Support: Studies typically use 1,000–2,000mg of Reishi extract daily, standardized to at least 10% triterpenes. This equates to a daily triterpene intake of 100–200mg.
- Inflammation: Doses as low as 30mg of triterpenes daily have shown measurable reductions in inflammation markers, with higher doses (e.g., 100mg or more) offering more pronounced benefits.
- Stress and Sleep: Lower doses of Reishi extract, around 400–800mg daily (containing 40–80mg triterpenes), have shown improvements in cortisol levels and sleep quality.
- Liver Health: For liver protection, doses of 3,000–5,000mg daily of fruiting body extracts (providing 300–500mg triterpenes) have been used in clinical settings.
That means that even with relatively small amounts of triterpenes (30–50mg daily) you should expect to see some benefits, but ideally you want 100mg, as found in our reishi supplement or our mixed mushroom capsules.
Nootrum Capsules - 100mg Triterpene Supplements
Each capsule delivers 30mg of erinacines from Lion’s Mane to support nerve growth and brain health, 30mg of cordycepin from Cordyceps to enhance ATP production and energy, 100mg of triterpenoids from Reishi for anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing effects, and 1000mg of beta-glucans to boost immunity.
Nootrum Powder Triterpene Content
Nootrum Powder does contain the lowest amount of triterpenes out of our product range, but it should still be enough for most uses, and definitely enough for inflammation and the powder contains a host of other ingredients designed to help with that and gut health. Beyond the triterpenes and other anti inflammatory ingredients it also contains Lion’s Mane standardized to 5% erinacines for brain health and nerve growth, and Cordyceps with 1% cordycepin and 25% beta-glucans to enhance energy and immunity. The blend delivers robust immune support, cognitive enhancement, and improved energy metabolism.
Nootrum Reishi - Our Cheapest Triterpene Supplement
Nootrum Reishi Supplements are the cheapest option we have for you to get a full 100mg dose of triterpenes. You will also get a full amount of beta glucans for added immunity boosting, but you're not getting nearly as much as you would from our main capsule blend. Of course the supplement is high quality, but ultimately these are a worse option unless you're on a budget.
Other Sources of Triterpenes
| Source | Key Triterpenes | Benefits | Dosages in Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaga Mushrooms | Betulinic Acid | Anti-inflammatory, anticancer | 1,500–3,000mg daily for immune and anti-inflammatory effects |
| Astragalus Root | Triterpenoid Saponins | Immune health, cardiovascular function | 500–1,000mg of standardized extract for immune benefits |
| Boswellia (Frankincense) | Boswellic Acids | Joint health, anti-inflammatory | 300–500mg extract (30–50% boswellic acids), 2–3 times daily |
| Kola Nuts | Ursolic Acid | Anti-inflammatory, metabolic health | 100–300mg extract daily; higher doses for energy/weight-loss (use cautiously) |
| Olives/Olive Oil | Oleanolic Acid | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory | 10–20mg oleanolic acid daily (50–100ml of olive oil) |
| Sea Cucumbers | Saponins | Immune-boosting, anti-cancer | 300–600mg extract daily used in cancer-related studies |
How to Choose the Right Triterpene Supplement
When selecting a triterpene supplement, it’s essential to consider the following:
- Standardization: Look for products that list the percentage of triterpenoids or specific active compounds like ganoderic acids (Reishi) or betulinic acid (Chaga).
- Source: If you're not getting something standardized fruiting body extracts tend to contain higher levels of triterpenes compared to mycelium-based supplements. For Reishi, aim for extracts with at least 8% triterpenoids you probably want to avoid anything that claims to be much past 50% as you are definitely missing out on other microcompounds at that point.
- Extraction Method: This really doesn't matter if it's standardized and it's triterpenes you're looking for. There's a lot of fuss about dual extraction methods being best to get a "full spectrum" of compounds, but often it's used to simply sound good for products that haven't standardized their extracts. Purity: Ensure the supplement is free from fillers, heavy metals, and contaminants.
Who Should Consider Triterpene Supplements?
Triterpene supplements can benefit a wide range of individuals, including those who:
- Have chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Seek immune system support during seasonal changes.
- Want to improve liver health or detoxify their system.
- Struggle with stress or poor sleep quality.
- Are looking to enhance overall vitality and longevity.
Triterpene Supplements
Triterpene supplements can be a particularly good addition to any health regimen. particularly those derived from Reishi mushrooms. We're likely to see more research done on them in the coming years and hopefully we see more evidence of their usefulness.