Mushrooms in Juice Plus+ Complete

Q: If I am allergic to mushrooms, can I use the Juice Plus Complete formula?

A: If you have an allergic reaction to mushrooms then it is best to avoid using the Complete shakes.

Juice Plus® Complete shake mixes now contain juice powder from Agaricus bisoporus – commonly known as the Portobello mushroom (when mature) or the button or crimini mushroom (when smaller) – the most widely consumed mushroom in the world. The recent addition of mushroom powder to the Juice Plus® Complete formula has raised some questions about those with “allergies” to mushrooms.

First let’s discuss why mushrooms were added to Complete. The company is constantly looking for “whole food” sources of nutrients for all their products.

In making a shake mix, previously a plant-based source of vitamin D2 was added to the Complete to provide a small, safe daily dose. Epidemiological studies show that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk for certain illnesses. Much of the biologically active vitamin D comes from skin exposure to sunlight.

The improvement of adding mushrooms as a whole food source of D2 is more in alignment with the company’s philosophy of marketing whole food and whole food derived products. Recently mushroom powders with standardized amounts of vitamin D2 became available, and the company chose to make this change. No matter what food group you look at, a very small percentage of people will have serious allergies associated with certain foods.

Mushrooms have also been associated with additional health benefits including supporting brain, liver, and immune function.

In terms of those with allergy concerns, it is important to understand the difference between a food allergy versus a food intolerance as the latter may be healed by focusing on healing the gut lining. A food allergy involves the immune system making antibodies to the allergy and the release of histamine. This can be life threatening and it is an immediate reaction–such as an anaphylactic shock. Surprisingly, a very small percentage of the population has this type of allergy: fewer than 2% of the entire cohort of those who have such allergic reactions have a mushroom-specific allergy. If you know you have this kind of reaction to mushrooms immediately, then it is best to avoid using the Complete shake.

The sensitivities that are due to food intolerance are not so immediate and are unlikely to be life threatening. As always, Juice Plus+ will never offer medical advice, if there are allergy concerns, it is best to refer you and your customers to a trained medical professional.