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INGREDIENTS
BIO-FERMENTED PEA PROTEIN
CHAGA
MACA
NATURAL FLAVOURINGS
STEVIA
TURMERIC EXTRACT (95% CURCUMINOIDS)
GOTU KOLA
ASHWAGANDHA
RAW CACAO
REISHI
LION'S MANE
FRUIT & VEGETABLE POWDERS
PLANET & PEOPLE
PRODUCT
ALL-IN-ONE MEAL
How much B12 do I need?
PLANT PROTEIN BAR
CORDYCEPS MUSHROOM (10:1 EXTRACT)
VEGAN PROTEIN
PRE-WORKOUT
PLANT BASED OMEGA 3 LIQUID
SUPERGREENS
COLLAGEN BUILDER
PERFORM PLANT PROTEIN
MAGIC LATTE AND HOT CHOCOLATE
CREATINE
LIQUID VITAMIN D3 & K2
MAGIC COFFEE
MACA POWDER
PERFORM PRO PLANT PROTEIN
LION'S MANE MUSHROOM (8:1 EXTRACT)
REISHI MUSHROOM (15:1 EXTRACT)
CHAGA MUSHROOM (6:1 EXTRACT)
INTRA-WORKOUT
LIQUID B12 COMPLEX
MULTINUTRIENT
PRODUCT FAQS
Will it give me jitters or a crash like other pre-workouts?
Is it suitable if I’m sensitive to caffeine?
Who is Ignite for?
What does SUSTAIN taste like?
When should I use it?
Is SUSTAIN suitable for vegans and allergen-free?
Is SUSTAIN safe for daily use?
Will this break a fast?
Why two types of magnesium?
What’s the role of calcium in an electrolyte formula?
Why is potassium included?
What does the research say about sodium?
Who might benefit from taking electrolytes?
What is SUSTAIN?
Can I use it instead of coffee?
How long does it take to feel the effects?
Will it break my fast?
Can I stack it with other supplements?
What does it taste like?
Can I take it every day?
When should I take Ignite?
Is it vegan and gluten-free?
Is it third-party tested?
What makes Ignite different from other pre-workouts?
How will Maca help me?
Are the nutrients in All-In-One naturally derived?
How do I take B12?
Why do I need to take B12?
Are Vivo Life Nut (allergen) Free? YES!
Where and how do you source your Inositol?
Is Inositol suitable for pregnant/breastfeeding women?
Are there any potential side effects of taking Inositol?
Is Inositol suitable for children?
Can I take Inositol as a male?
How is your magnesium processed?
What are the benefits of using magnesium?
Can I use magnesium with zinc?
Can I use your magnesium alongside your other products?
Should I consume magnesium with food?
Where is your magnesium sourced?
What type is your magnesium?
What is Reishi and what are the benefits of taking it?
How do I use Reishi?
How is the Reishi processed?
Can I take Reishi if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Is Reishi suitable for children?
Can I consume Reishi alongside other Vivo Life products, especially those with other mushrooms in (e.g. cordyceps, Lion’s Mane)?
Is there a maximum dose for Reishi?
Where do you source your Reishi?
Is Lion's Mane suitable for children?
Can I take Lion's Mane if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
How is the Lion's Mane processed?
Where do you source your Lion's Mane?
What is Lion's Mane and what are the benefits of taking it?
How do I use Lion's Mane?
Can I consume Lion’s Mane alongside other Vivo Life products, especially those with other mushrooms in (e.g. cordyceps, reishi)?
Is there a maximum dose for Lion's Mane?
How do I use Cordyceps?
Where do you source your Cordyceps?
How are the Cordyceps processed?
Can I take Cordyceps if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Is Cordyceps suitable for children?
Can I consume Cordyceps alongside other Vivo Life products, especially those with other mushrooms in (e.g. Reishi, Lion’s Mane)?
Is there a minimum/maximum dose for Cordyceps?
What are Cordyceps and what are the benefits of taking them?
How to clean my shaker?
What is the main difference between Vegan Protein and Perform Plant Protein?
How many mg of mushroom extract per serving in each Magic Latte?
Are the mushrooms used in Magic Lattes present at functional dosages?
Can I take Perform Plant Protein if I have biliary issues?
Will I test positive to drug tests due to the hemp content in Perform?
How are the nutrients in Supergreens sourced?
Perform Plant Protein - is it gluten free?
Is Intra-Workout Gluten Free?
What is the recommended dose of Creatine?
What is the serving size of Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein?
How much Vitamin K is there in the Liquid Vitamin D3 & K2?
Is Intra-Workout Organic?
How many mushrooms can I take in a day? Can I combine mushrooms?
How does Creatine work?
When should I use Intra-Workout?
Where do you source your Maca?
Are your products FDA approved?
D3 & K2 Certificate of Analysis
What is the TOTOX value of the microalgal oil used in Plant Based Omega 3?
Are All in One, Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein suitable for those with a pea intolerance?
Can I use your products if I have a food allergy or intolerance?
Can I take All-In-One while working out?
Does Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein contain caffeine?
What flavours are used in Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein?
Why is Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein's salt content high?
Does Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein contain added sugar?
Are Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein suitable for use in baking?
Can I take Perform Plant Protein when pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication?
Does All-In-One contain the same protein used in Perform Plant Protein and Vegan Protein?
Is Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein suitable for IBS sufferers, or for those with digestive issues?
Are Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein tested for heavy metals?
How does Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein taste so good?
What are the benefits of EAAs?
Why aren’t your products certified Organic?
Is Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein organic?
What is the difference between EAAs and protein?
What is the problem with most EAA powders?
Are Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein suitable for vegans?
Do you have a protein powder without stevia?
Is Perform Plant Protein and Perform Pro Plant Protein safe for athletes?
Why does the label of All-In-One say it is a meal replacement?
What is the difference between All-In-One and Perform Plant Protein?
Can I use your Collagen Builder alongside other Vivo Life products?
What is the difference between All-In-One Meal and Supergreens?
Can I use Intra-Workout and Perform Plant Protein at the same time?
Can I use Perform Plant Protein or Perform Pro Plant Protein as a pre-workout?
When should I take Magic? Can I take different products in the Magic range throughout the day?
Are Magic Lattes safe to consume during pregnancy?
Do our Magic Lattes contain caffeine?
Is Intra-Workout suitable for a Keto diet?
Why are some of the minerals in All-In-One only at 30% RDA?
Why are we using citric acid instead of malic acid in Intra-Workout?
Is Intra-Workout tested for heavy metals?
Is Intra-Workout suitable for athletes?
Is Intra-Workout suitable for vegans?
What does Intra-Workout taste like?
Does Intra-Workout contain added sugar?
Can I add Supergreens to hot food and drink?
What is our Vganic Multinutrient blend?
Do you sell a mass gainer?
Is Supergreens suitable for children?
Can I replace Supergreens with All-In-One?
I am fasting. Can I still use Supergreens?
Why have you reformulated Supergreens in the past?
Can Supergreens be used with other supplements?
How are the probiotics in Supergreens sourced?
Should I use Supergreens with or without food?
Can I take Supergreens with the Vegan Multinutrient?
Do I need to take B12 if I already use Supergreens?
Where is the vitamin D in Supergreens sourced from?
I already take Supergreens, do I need to take the D3 too?
Why doesn’t Supergreens contain calcium, iodine, iron or magnesium?
How many probiotics are in each serving of Supergreens?
Do I need to keep your products in the fridge?
Can I use more than one scoop of Supergreens per day?
Can I cook with the products?
Does All-In-One contain selenium?
Is All-In-One a meal replacement?
Is All-In-One safe for athletes?
What is the difference between All-In-One and Vegan Protein?
How many calories does All-In-One have?
Will All-In-One break my fast?
Is All-In-One a mass gainer?
Can I use the Vegan Multinutrient and All-In-One Meal?
Where does the B12 come from in All-In-One?
Does All-In-One cover all my nutrient needs?
What is the Omega content of All-In-One?
What are the sources of protein of All-In-One?
Does All-In-One cover my daily probiotics needs?
How many servings does All-In-One have and what flavours does it come in?
Can I take All-In-One when I am NOT working out?
Does All-In-One have vitamins and minerals, if so which ones?
Does All-In-One need to be kept in the fridge (due to probiotics)?
Isn’t Collagen from animals?
Are your products gluten free?
Is the Protein Bar gluten free?
Is the Protein Bar suitable if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Are other Vivo products at risk of contamination from allergens regarding the Protein Bar?
Where does the protein come from in the Protein Bar?
Is the Protein Bar third-party tested?
Is the Protein Bar suitable for children?
Is the Protein Bar suitable for vegans?
Does the Protein Bar contain added sugar?
Where does the lemon and orange flavour come from in the Protein Bars?
Is the Protein Bar suitable for people with a nut allergy?
What size are your Vegan Multinutrient capsules?
How do I take Omega 3?
Is our Omega 3 suitable for children?
Omega 3 - Composition/what is the other 200mg made up of?
How is your Creatine sourced?
How should B12 be stored?
Does your Vitamin K2 contain Soy?
What is Chaga and what are the benefits of taking it?
Where do you source your Chaga?
Is there a maximum dose for Chaga?
Can I consume Chaga alongside other Vivo Life products, especially those with other mushrooms in (e.g. reishi, Lion’s Mane)?
Is Chaga suitable for children?
Can I take Chaga if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
How is the Chaga processed?
How do I use Chaga?
What is a pre-workout, what are the benefits?
Collagen Builder - Amino Acid Profile
Can your Collagen Builder help with exercise/injury recovery?
How does Magic Mushroom Coffee compare to regular coffee?
Is your Collagen Builder Halal or Kosher?
Can I use your Collagen Builder when pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication?
Will your Collagen Builder help my skin's appearance?
Are your products Kosher and Vegan?
Where is your Magic Coffee sourced?
Do I need to do a ‘loading phase’ with creatine?
Is the Pre-Workout third party tested for contaminants?
Are your products tested for heavy metals?
Are the products okay to be taken together?
Do I need a multinutrient on a whole food plant-based diet?
Can I take the Vegan Multinutrient alongside the liquid Omega 3, B12 and D3?
Vegan Multinutrient and thyroid issues?
Why is the B12 in the Vegan Multinutrient so high?
Vegan Multinutrient Certificate of Analysis
Is the BCAA in Perform made from duck feathers?
Can I use your products whilst pregnant/breastfeeding?
What is the serving size of Maca?
Will Maca affect my hormone balance?
Does Maca contain B Vitamins?
What does Maca taste like?
Does Maca contain caffeine?
What is gelatinised Maca?
What is Collagen?
How should Omega 3 be stored?
Is our B12 suitable for children?
How do I store D3?
Is D3 suitable for children?
How do I take D3?
What is D3/K2?
Can I use a drip filter (percolator) or a stove top/moka pot to brew Magic Coffee?
How much caffeine is in each serving of Magic Coffee?
What mycotoxins do you test Magic Coffee for?
Does Magic Coffee taste like mushrooms?
How many servings of Magic should I have per day?
What is the difference between fruiting body and mycelium extracts?
Are the mushrooms you use really magic (psychoactive)?
How should I prepare my Magic Latte?
Can the Vegan Multinutrient be used when pregnant or breastfeeding?
What time of day should I take the Vegan Multinutrient?
Is the Vegan Multinutrient exclusively for vegans?
Is Vegan Multinutrient suitable for children?
Why is my Vegan Multinutrient discoloured?
Why choose our Vegan Multinutrient?
When is the best time to take Creatine?
Should I only take Creatine on training days?
Will Creatine cause me to gain weight?
What is micronized Creatine?
Does Creatine cause dehydration?
Is Creatine safe?
Should I use a Pre-Workout supplement?
Why have you chosen beetroot for the Pre-Workout?
Is the Pre-Workout gluten/soy free?
Does the Pre-Workout contain caffeine?
How do I use the Pre-Workout?
Is the Pre-Workout vegan?
Is the Pre-Workout suitable for breastfeeding or pregnant women?
Does the unflavoured Vegan Protein taste like anything?
Can I use Vegan Protein in savoury foods?
Can I use Vegan Protein when baking?
Is Vegan Protein suitable for children?
Magic Lattes Certificate of Analysis
B12 Certificate of Analysis
Omega 3 Certificate of Analysis
How are Magic Chaga Chai donations to Akanksha calculated?
What is an adaptogen?
How many servings are there in a pouch of Creatine?
Does Maca contain any added sugar/sweeteners?
- Knowledge Base
- INGREDIENTS
- CHAGA
CHAGA
Updated
by Georgina Roberts
What is Chaga?
Continuing our love for medicinal mushrooms, we created a product that celebrates the wonderful chaga mushroom (Inonotus Obliquoos). A charcoal like fungus that grows predominantly on birch trees in cold climates. As the chaga grows, it draws in nutrients from the birch tree. Birch tree extract is a known superfood in itself, and this supercharged fungi is an age old celebrated adaptogenic health food that is often named the “cure-all” mushroom.

As always, the information shared here regarding chaga's potential health benefits should not be taken instead of medical advice. If you are unsure if chaga is suitable for your individual needs, we advise to consult with your doctor or a clinical nutritionist.
Chaga has been used in traditional medicines such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine for millennia. In such times clinical research was not around, but hundreds of years of anecdotal evidence supported the continued use of this mushroom for many different aspects of health. Modern science is catching up and research is underway to explore the benefits the ancients have celebrated for an age.
How to use chaga
Chaga is often supplemented in powder form. There are no set upper tolerable limits for chaga consumption, as the research is yet to explore this however we have given guidelines on the pouch. There are no known safety concerns for chaga consumption, providing the chaga is from a trusted and reputable source.
Are medicinal mushrooms safe?
Medicinal mushrooms are 100% legal and do not have psychoactive effects as they do not contain psychotropic compounds, you will not be “high” after drinking Magic. Those are very different mushrooms! The health benefits you may experience however in our opinion are truly Magic. They are of course safe to consume, but as with anything you can have too much of a good thing so, please stick to the recommended amounts on the packaging.
What is an adaptogen?
Adaptogens are a group of plants and herbs that can help us to manage and balance mood, energy levels, stress hormones within the body, and even enhance cognitive function. Modern nutritional science has been exploring this in more recent years and re-discovering the bio-active benefits that our ancestors celebrated. Adaptogens have been shown by modern research to improve the resistance of the human body to a wide range of stressors, from external (environmental) to internal (bodily systems). They do this by working with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and the immune-neuro-endocrine system, both of which comprise of multiple bodily systems and their interaction with each other.
Stress comes in many forms and on occasions acute stress can actually be very beneficial to the body and encourage adaptions, for instance in the case of exercise our bodies undergo short term stress and provided the exercise stimulus and recovery are appropriate, our bodies will adapt to better handle that stressor. It is when stressors become chronic, or there is not sufficient recovery from acute stress that we can run into problems.
Stress of course comes in many other forms, environmental, psychological, sociological, and then we must consider the stressful implications of a poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of sunlight, fatigue, depression, to name a few. For such a broad potential of stressors on the human body, an adaptogen must meet the following criteria to be classified as such: firstly, an adaptogen must be non-specific and must assist the human body in resisting a wide range of adverse conditions and secondly adaptogens must balance and maintain homeostasis in humans by offsetting or resisting physical disorders caused by external stress. These definitions were first established in 1940 by scientist N. Lazerev, and later elaborated on by scientist I. Brekhman to say than an adaptogen must reduce harm caused by stressed states, have positive excitatory effects on the human body, must not cause side effects from these excitatory effects (like common stimulants) and lastly, they must not harm the human body. This impressive checklist is met by a range of different plants and herbs, of which medicinal mushrooms are included. These benefits were considered sacred by our forebearers, and modern research continues to discover more about these wonderful plants.
Potential health benefits of chaga
This powerful little mushroom contains a potent elixir of bio-active compounds with far reaching healthful affects: polyphenols, melanin, triterpenoids, beta glucans and polysaccharides. Among these, polysaccharides are the most studied and the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms are generally attributed to these compounds.
Modern research has explored chaga's potential to help in the following areas of health: viral infections, excessive cell growth, oxidative stress and inflammation, fatigue, gut health and auto immune conditions.
Chaga and viral infections
Chagas concentration of polysaccharides and beta glucans help to activate a type of white blood cell known as leukocytes. These leukocytes (in particular, macrophages) are the first line of defense concerning invading pathogens and viruses. As soon as a pathogen enters the body these white blood cells attack and then clear up the debris. The encouraged activation of these leukocytes that chaga offers is of huge value to our immune response. The body's leukocytes are produces in the spleen, the “central” immune defense. Triterpenoids, also found in chaga have a positive effect on spleen function and therefore assist in immune defense as well. Invitro studies have also found that chaga is able to impair a virus’s ability to invade cells, this has been demonstrated in animal studies, but more human research is needed.
Chaga and excessive cell growth
Excessive and abnormal cell growth can sometimes occur and if left unchecked form a tumor (these can be malignant or benign). In either case, chaga has been demonstrated to show inhibitory affects on excessive cell growth and can be used as a preventative or complimentary treatment of such. For such medical conditions please consult with a Doctor or clinical nutritionist.
Chaga inflammation and oxidative stress
Chaga has been explored for its anti-inflammatory properties which has whole body potential health benefit. The rich polysaccharide content of chaga has been shown to scavenge for and mediate inflammation across the body. Inflammation is a pre-curser to many health imbalances and chaga has potential as a useful anti-inflammatory agent.
Oxidative stress is disturbance caused by free radicals in the body, free radicals are a bi product of cellular metabolism, and the body has pathways by which it mediates them. The polysaccharide content of chaga contributes to this free radical buffering.
Chaga, gut health and auto immune conditions
Gastro-Intestinal (GI) conditions are common and range in severity from mild to chronically debilitating. The gut and its bacteria flora are inextricably linked to our immune system, and the two are interdependent on each other’s optimal functioning. GI conditions when left unchecked can lead to auto immune conditions such as Crohn’s disease or Psoriasis, auto immune conditions are complex and involve the improper modulation of immune system response, often causing extreme physiological outcomes for the person.
Chaga's rich bio-active compounds are thought to play a role in modulating gut health and in turn help to prevent GI conditions and immune system dysfunction. The rich anti-oxidant and their free radical fighting capacity helps to clear cell debris, as well as encouraging macrophage activity to destroy harmful bacteria whilst supporting the healthy gut flora. Combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, chaga has the potential to prevent or even reverse GI imbalances. More human studies are required to further this hypothesis, but anecdotal evidence from traditional medicines has supported these claims.
Chaga and fatigue/burn out
Chaga is an adaptogenic fungi, meaning it has the capacity to help us manage stress. Adaptogens tap into our HPA axis (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) to help us buffer how we cope with environmental, physiological, and emotional/mental stressors. Not only do adaptogens help us manage stress in the instance, but they also help us to build resilience to future instances.
Chaga in summary
This little mushroom packs a powerful punch when it comes to overall immune support and longevity, a powerful fungi to add to our wellness toolbox. Research is continually developing unveiling the bio-active pathways of this mushroom that our ancestors intrinsically knew and utilized.
References
Haibo Mu, Amin Zhang, Wuxia Zhang, Guoting Cui, Shunchun Wang, Jinyou Duan. (2012). Antioxidative properties of crude polysaccharides from Inonotus obliquus. International Journal of Molecular Science. 13 (7), 9194-206.
Hong-Hui Pan, Xiong-Tao Yu, Ting Li, Hong-Ling Wu, Chun-Wei Jiao, Mian-Hua Cai, Xiang-Min Li, Yi-Zhen Xie, Yi Wang, Tao Peng. (2013). Aqueous extract from a Chaga medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (higher Basidiomycetes), prevents herpes simplex virus entry through inhibition of viral-induced membrane fusion. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 15 (1), 29-38.
Myung-Ja Youn, Jin-Kyung Kim, Seong-Yeol Park, Yunha Kim, Channy Park, Eun Sook Kim, Kie-In Park, Hong Seob So, Raekil Park. (2009). Potential anticancer properties of the water extract of Inonotus [corrected] obliquus by induction of apoptosis in melanoma B16-F10 cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 121 (2), 221-228.
Yang Hu, Chunying Teng, Sumei Yu , Xin Wang, Jinsong Liang, Xin Bai, Liying Dong, Tao Song, Min Yu, Juanjuan Qu. (2017). Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota of chronic pancreatitis in mice. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 39 (1), 17-34.