About us
Desert Forest Nutritionals® - Pioneers in Brazilian ABM Mushroom Extracts Since 2003
Our Story
— Kristina & Kaz Okuda, Founders of Desert Forest Nutritionals
Hello, and thank you for being here. I’m Kristina Okuda, and my journey with Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) mushrooms began in 2002—right before one of the most pivotal chapters of my life.
That year, a friend asked if I could help him find ABM mushrooms for his father’s wellness routine. Having grown up in Brazil, I knew exactly where to look. Curious about their traditional use, I started doing my own research and began taking ABM mushrooms myself—drawn to their rich nutritional profile and long-standing role in cultures like Brazil and Japan.
Soon after, I began experiencing unusual bloating and abdominal discomfort. I visited three different doctors, but none could find an explanation. It wasn’t until a fourth doctor ordered a scan that I learned the truth: I had a 24-pound ovarian tumor. I was only 40 years old—and completely unprepared for news like that.
That experience shook me and made it clear how important it is to listen to your body and take charge of your own health journey. While I was grateful to finally receive a diagnosis, the delay could have cost me dearly… my life. During that critical time, I had already begun incorporating ABM mushrooms into my routine. They quickly became an important part of how I chose to support my overall well-being.
After surgery, I became even more committed to caring for my body from the inside out. I focused on nourishing my immune system, restoring balance, and making intentional choices to rebuild my health in a natural, consistent way.
My doctor was surprised by how quickly I recovered—and how strong my bloodwork looked. That feedback confirmed what I was already starting to feel. Over time, those consistent wellness choices helped me feel more resilient and energized, and deepened my respect for food-based support.
That experience is what inspired my husband Kaz and me to start Desert Forest Nutritionals®. Since 2003, we’ve offered high-quality Brazilian ABM mushroom extracts made only from the fruiting body—no fillers, no mycelium, and no compromises.
Our extracts are crafted in small batches with care—for people who are serious about their health and value honesty, quality, and tradition.
We know everyone’s journey is different. Our goal is simply to provide the kind of product and support we wish we had when we needed it most.
From a Personal Journey to a Shared Mission
What began as a personal search for quality ABM mushrooms became something much bigger. In 2003, we founded Desert Forest Nutritionals® to provide clinical-grade ABM extracts made only from the fruiting body—never mycelium grown on grain.
Our Journey as a Company
- 2002 – The Beginning
A personal health journey and research into ABM mushrooms. - 2003–2010 – Introducing ABM to the U.S.
One of the first ABM extract companies in the U.S., educating customers and practitioners long before functional mushrooms became mainstream. - 2011–Present – Staying True to Quality
Maintaining strict sourcing and small-batch production while the market turned to cheaper, mass-produced mycelium-based products.
- 2002 – The Beginning
What Sets Us Apart
✅ One of the first ABM extract companies in the U.S.
✅ Over 20 years specializing exclusively in ABM mushroom extracts
✅ Direct Brazilian sourcing (small farms monitored by ANVISA & state health authorities)
✅ 100% fruiting body extracts—never mycelium on grain
✅ Trusted by customers and health professionals for over two decades
Our Mission
To help you achieve a strong and balanced immune system—naturally—using 100% pure, health-supporting foods native to Brazil.
Our Vision
To make nature’s wisdom accessible to all—empowering people to choose a natural path to wellness with the same trust and simplicity our ancestors once had.
With gratitude,
Kristina & Kaz Okuda