Hi Cindy,

Thanks so much for mentioning the product and sharing Boomer's plan. We've always meant to look into MUSH, but haven't because we personally had more experience with K9 Immunity and others also had their experiences with Power Mushrooms. Yep, I do believe you're the first to talk about it here.

You're so right, nobody knows for sure what the real reason is why some dogs on mushroom supplements live longer and others don't. We feel strongly that Jerry's longevity was due to a combination of the mushroom therapy and his diet, and chance. Sadly, there are many dogs taking mushrooms who don't fare nearly as well. Until there are more verified scientific studies done with this type of therapy, we'll all be making assumptions based on anecdotal evidence.

The ingredients of MUSH and K9 are similar. But my main question is; how do you determine what dosage of A. brasilienses to add?

Also, do you know what the shelf life is of the formula? If one container lasts several months, how does humidity affect it?

As for Transfer Factor, my understanding is that it's not required, but is taken as extra insurance for the body to utilize the benefits of the therapy. In times of stress when the body needs more of the beneficial aspects of the therapy, the transfer factor will kick in to ensure the body gets it. I'm pretty sure that's what it means, anyhow.

Anyhoo, we're so glad Boomie is here too! Thanks so much for sharing.

kbryant said:

curious to know what brasilienses extract is or what effect it's supposed to have. 

Kami,
 

When I searched for brasillenes extract I couldn't find anything useful but when I searched for "Royal Sun Blazei, Himematsutake" which is what the Fungi Perfecti website has it listed under, I found this:

Agaricus subrufescens (incorrectly known as Agaricus blazei, Agaricus sylvaticus) is a species of mushroom, commonly known as Agaricus Blazei Murill Mushroom, Almond mushroom, or himematsutake (Japanese: "princess matsutake") and by a number of other names. Agaricus subrufescens is a choice edible, with a somewhat sweet taste and fragrance of almonds. This mushroom is also well known as a medicinal mushroom, for its purported medicinal properties, due to research which indicates it may stimulate the immune system.

See Wikipedia entry for more details…

Also see HIMEMATSUTAKE: Mushroom of the Gods

Scientific studies**** show that Himematsutake mushrooms have been successful in treating:

• Anti-tumor activity against various allergenic and syngeneic tumors
• Lung cancer
• Prevention of oncogenesis
• Prevent tumor metastasis

****I'm skeptical only because they don't cite what studies.

And finally, see: Truths and myths about the mushroom Agaricus blazei 

ABSTRACT

The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill was discovered in Piedade, state of São Paulo, Brazil, and sent to Japan to be studied for its medicinal properties. Studies in guinea pigs revealed antitumor properties, triggering Japanese importation of A. blazei from Brazil. Because of its high price on the international market, many companies and rural growers produce A. blazei as alternative crop to increase income, but because interest in this mushroom occurred suddenly there has not been enough time for the scientific community to investigate it and, technology used for its cultivation is still based on empirical rules. There are also some contradicting data regarding the classification of this mushroom, and its antitumor properties still need to be confirmed in humans.

Enhancer when used as an adjunct to chemotherapy