n this week’s episode of The Healthy Home Show, I explored the often-overlooked world of medicinal mushrooms with special guest Darryn de La Soul, founder of Margate Mushrooms. Whilst a slight departure from the usual focus on healthy homes and environmental toxins, this episode ties deeply into the nourishment pillar of healthy and sustainable living.

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode – Spotify

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode – Apple

Darryn shares her pandemic-born journey into mushroom cultivation and the profound health benefits of fungi, particularly lion’s mane, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms. What began as a side hustle quickly turned into a thriving community interest company (CIC) that not only supplies local restaurants and residents, but also supports a food bank and promotes food security.

I have really enjoyed using the Lion’s Mane supplements particularly and wanted to share the delight of mushrooms with you. Maybe they can help you take your health to the next level!

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Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. All Mushrooms Are Medicinal

• Darryn emphasizes that even common supermarket mushrooms like white buttons and chestnuts contain medicinal compounds, especially beta-glucans, which support immune function.

2. Lion’s Mane for Brain Health

• Known for its neuroregenerative properties, lion’s mane supports cognitive function and focus. It’s increasingly used by individuals with ADHD and brain fog.

• Emerging research suggests that lion’s mane may stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), which is essential for brain cell maintenance and regeneration.

3. Shiitake for Immunity and Gut Health

• Shiitake contains lentinan, a compound shown to boost immunity and potentially aid in cancer treatment.

• It’s also about 35% fiber, making it an excellent prebiotic for gut microbiome health.

4. Know Your Beta-Glucans

• Not all mushroom products are created equal. The most beneficial beta-glucans are 1,3/1,6 structures, unique to fungi.

• Many commercial products bulk out their powders with grain-based substrates like sorghum, reducing efficacy.

5. Double Extraction > Tincture

• Darryn explains that most people misuse the term “tincture.” Her lion’s mane extract is a broad-spectrum double extraction, using both alcohol and hot water to capture the full spectrum of active compounds.

6. Mushrooms vs. Modern Food Systems

• Due to widespread fungicide use, the vital amino acid ergothioneine—essential for human health—is largely absent from modern diets. The only reliable source left? Mushrooms.

• A 2021 study suggests ergothioneine may reduce the risk of chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases.

7. Food Security and Local Farming

• With food supply chains increasingly fragile, localised, fast-growing produce like mushrooms could become a key player in resilient food systems.

• Mushrooms take only 7–14 days from colonisation to harvest, making them a rapid and efficient food source.

Useful Info

• £42,000 was raised through crowdfunding to start Margate Mushrooms in shipping containers.

• Lion’s mane is now being explored in clinical trials for cognitive decline, with early results showing improvement in memory and focus.

• 75% of some commercial mushroom powders may actually be sorghum or other filler substrates.

• Studies show that eating just 250g of mushrooms a week can significantly reduce risk of memory problems later in life.

Where to Find Margate Mushrooms

• Online shop: Broad-spectrum extracts, capsules, and powders available nationwide.

• Instagram: @margatemushrooms_

• The Margate Mushrooms Website

If you enjoyed hearing Darryn’s insights on the medicinal properties of Mushrooms and the importance of Food Security…. You can learn more and dive into all 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle on my website – www.charlielemmer.com

Please leave a review for the show, if you are so inclined. It really helps me understand where to guide the content next or you can just give a rating. And, if you prefer to watch your content on Youtube, we have that covered too!

Be WELL

Charlie x

P.S If you are reading this Newsletter and haven’t yet subscribed. Here’s the link so you don’t miss future editions… It’s free ! So don’t miss out on information that could keep you and your family in the best health.

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In the latest episode of The Healthy Home Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with New York based Marci Kenon —food justice advocate, toxins educator, and former personal trainer—about the alarming rise of toxins in our food, homes, and bodies. Marci’s journey from the music industry to personal training to full-time activism is as compelling as it is inspiring.

Our conversation took a deep dive into the hidden dangers of food additives, the broken U.S. regulatory system, and how lifestyle shifts—especially in nutrition—can transform health.

Listen to the Full Podcast – Spotify

Listen to the Full Podcast – Apple

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. The GRAS Loophole is Poisoning Us

Marci opened my eyes to the shocking reality of the “Generally Recognised as Safe” (GRAS) loophole in the U.S. Over 10,000 additives have entered our food supply through this unregulated path, and according to Dr. Will Bulsiewicz (author of Fiber Fueled), 99% of them have never been studied for human health impacts.

Many of these additives are banned in the UK and EU, where safety regulations require proof before products go to market—unlike in the U.S., where companies can self-affirm safety without FDA review. You can read more about the Gras Loophole here on the EWG website.

2. Hyperpalatable, Ultra-Processed Foods are Hijacking Our Taste Buds

We spoke about how food scientists (not chefs) design ultra-processed foods to override natural hunger cues and drive repeat consumption. Some U.S. communities, especially in places like Mississippi, now consume up to 100% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods.

Marci broke down how this disproportionately affects Black communities (approx. 70%) and younger people (up to 80%). It’s not just bad for waistlines—it’s a public health crisis.

3. Obesity and Toxins: A Hidden Connection

This part really resonated with me. We discussed how toxins are stored in fat to protect our vital organs. Unless we reduce the toxic load in our bodies and environments, weight loss becomes incredibly difficult. I’ve seen this firsthand in my own health journey—when I focused on detoxing my home and diet, the weight started to shift.

4. Mould Exposure: A Silent Epidemic

Marci shared her personal struggle with mould toxicity, which led to eczema, fatigue, respiratory issues, and even questions around her mother’s cognitive health. Mould, she explained, can mimic dementia in the brain—and it’s more common than we think, especially in cities with aging infrastructure and poor remediation laws.

5. Food Injustice is Systemic—and Global

Marci made a powerful point: food giants reformulate their products to comply with EU regulations, removing harmful additives for international markets—yet continue to sell the original toxic versions in the U.S. and often in underserved communities. “We’re lab rats,” she said bluntly—and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

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The Facts Speak for Themselves

• 10,000+ food additives in the U.S. market, many banned elsewhere.

• 60–100% of U.S. daily calories now come from ultra-processed foods.

• The FDA is underfunded, and food companies often pay into the very system that’s meant to regulate them.

• Newborns have been found to carry 200+ chemicals in their umbilical cords.

What You Can Do Today

Marci’s Top 3 Recommendations:

1. Eat More Whole, Plant-Based Foods – Organic if you can. Frozen is often more nutrient-rich than fresh due to transport delays.

2. Eliminate or Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods and Sugar – These are designed to be addictive and nutrient-deficient.

3. Hydrate Properly – Drink half your body weight in ounces of clean, filtered water daily. Avoid plastic bottles, especially in heat.

Other Practical Tips:

• Scan labels with apps like Trash Panda and Yuka.

• Ditch plug-in air fresheners and artificial fragrances.

• Avoid Bluetooth earbuds, especially in saunas—EMF radiation is real.

The Toxins Everywhere Summit

Marci’s next major project is the Toxins Everywhere Summit, launching this autumn. I’m honoured to be one of the 19+ expert speakers alongside pioneers like Dr. Robert Lustig, Darin Olien and Vani Hari (aka The Food Babe).

This 5-day virtual event will cover everything from mould and EMFs to food policy and the GRAS loophole. After the summit, Marci will be launching a 5-week bootcamp to help people take real, lasting action.

👉 Sign up on Marci’s website to stay in the loop or find her on Linkedin. Register for the Toxins Everywhere Summit below:

The Toxins Everywhere Summit

Marci’s Website

Marci on Linkedin

If you enjoyed hearing Marci’s insights on Food Justice Activism and want to learn more; You can dive into all 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle on my website – www.charlielemmer.com

Please leave a review for the show, if you are so inclined. It really helps me understand where to guide the content next or you can just give a rating. And, if you prefer to watch your content on Youtube, we have that covered too!

Be WELL

Charlie x

P.S If you are reading this Newsletter and haven’t yet subscribed. Here’s the link so you don’t miss future editions… It’s free ! So don’t miss out on information that could keep you and your family in the best health.

Charlie’s Healthy Homes Newsletter

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