06/01/2026
Chaga may not be pretty, but the research behind it is.
Unlike your typical mushroom, chaga grows as a rugged black mass on birch trees called a sclerotium. This is a dense structure made from mycelium, the part of the fungus that is usually hidden underground.
In this Dr. Andy blog, we break down why chaga is so unique and how research suggests it may support two major areas:
Metabolic balance
Chaga extract has been studied for its potential role in supporting blood sugar, insulin, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol markers.
Skin resilience
Chaga compounds have been studied for their effects on UV-related skin damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen, and hyaluronic acid pathways.
One standout compound in chaga, inotodiol, has been studied for its connection to inflammatory skin markers like IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α.
Not pretty. Pretty powerful.
Read the full Dr. Andy blog on our website to dive deeper into the research.