The number of distinct species is a matter of debate with estimates ranging from 30,000 to 1.5 million. What is not disputed, however, is the close relationship between mushrooms and humans, and the many benefits mushrooms can provide for overall health and wellness.??New Chapter® believes in the wisdom of nature and the promise of whole food. We believe the combination and preservation of the whole mushroom and its complete life cycle is essential. Many modern products isolate the wisdom of the whole and focus on one life stage of the mushroom cycle or heavily refine and extract specific compounds from the mushroom. Focusing on just mycelium, for example, ignores the many beneficial and unique compounds that exist only in the fruiting body or spore phase. If mushrooms are selectively refined through extraction, their ability to function as nourishing superfoods can be lost.