You may have heard them called hou tou gu or Yamabushitake. The scientific name is Hericium erinaceus. They are big, white, shaggy mushrooms that appear like a lion’s mane as they grow – hence their common English name of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms.
They have been used throughout human history as a food source and an important medicinal source, especially in Oriental nations like China, India, Japan, and Korea.
People enjoy the mushrooms either raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Their extracts are commonly used in over-the-counter health supplements.
With the Lion’s Mane, its not a case of “it tastes like chicken” because most describe it as having a seafood type of flavor that reminds them of crab or lobster.
Lion’s mane mushrooms are a real powerhouse of bioactive substances that have been found to have advantageous effects on the body, specifically in the brain, heart, and gut.
Here is a list of scientifically researched benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms and their various extracts available.
May Be Protective Against The Onset Of Dementia
Unfortunately, the brain’s ability to grow and form new neural connections generally declines with age. Hence, mental functioning slowly declines with age.
Studies have shown that lion’s mane mushrooms contain 2 unique compounds called peptides (small proteins) that can promote the development of nerve cells by stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain.
In addition, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help shield against the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Research on mice found that lion’s mane mushroom extract slowed down signs of memory loss in mice, as well as being preventative in neuron damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease.
While at this stage, no research studies have analyzed whether lion’s mane mushroom is useful for Alzheimer’s illness in humans, it appears to increase mental performance.
A research study of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) discovered that taking 3 grams of powdered lion’s mane mushroom daily for 4 months significantly boosted mental performance while they took the supplement but dissipated when they stopped taking it.
The capability of lion’s mane mushroom to promote nerve development as well as shield the brain from Alzheimer’s type damage may explain a few of its reported beneficial impacts on brain health and wellness.
An important note to keep in mind is that at the present time, the majority of the research has been performed on animals or in test tubes. So more human research studies are required to conclusively prove that these amazing benefits found in animal studies translate fully to humans.
Helps Relieve Mild Manifestations of Depression and Anxiousness.
Approximately one-third of people in developed nations report experiencing signs and symptoms of anxiety.
One emerging theory of what anxiety is so widespread is that it is at least partly due to persistent levels of inflammation. Preliminary animal studies have found that lion’s mane mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory benefits and can lower signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety and depression in mice.
Other researchers have found that lion’s main extract can help regenerate mice’s brain cells as well as improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is responsible for processing memories and also psychological responses. Scientists theorize that improved functioning of the hippocampus might explain the reductions in nervous and also depressive behaviors in mice that are fed lion’s mane extract. While these animal research studies are promising, a cautionary note is that there is very little study in regard to this positive effect in people.
One very small study in menopausal women did find that that consuming food that contained lion’s mane mushrooms each day for one month resulted in self-reported improvements in lower levels of irritation as well as stress and anxiety.
So while further research is needed to further explore the mechanisms, it does seem that lion’s mane mushrooms may aid in soothing moderate signs of stress and anxiety as well as depression.
May Speed Recovery From Injury To Nerves
Nerve cells make up the brain, spine, and various other cells that facilitate nerve impulses traveling through the body. These cells are vital in the control of almost every physical function. Injuries to the brain or spine can severely damage nerve cells. They often create paralysis or loss of mental functionality that can take a long time to recover from.
One promising study has found that lion’s main mushroom extract may help in speeding up the healing process from these sorts of injuries by boosting the development and also repair work of neurons. In fact, in the study, lion’s mane extract has been shown to reduce healing time by 23– 41% when provided to rats with nervous system injuries.
May Help Reduce The Seriousness Of Brain Damage After A Stroke
In one research study, high dosages of lion’s mane mushroom extract was given to rats right away after a stroke. It was found that it aided reduction in swelling as well as minimized the amount of stroke-related brain injury by 44%.
Again, a word of caution, while these results are encouraging, no researches has been carried out in humans to identify if lion’s mane would have the same restorative impact on nervous system injuries.
May Assist In Preventing Ulcers In The Gastrointestinal Tract
Abscess are capable of forming anywhere along the gastrointestinal system, consisting of the stomach, small intestine as well as large intestinal tract.
Stomach ulcers are commonly brought on by 2 significant elements: overgrowth of a bacteria called H. pylori and damage to the mucous layer of the intestinal tract through long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Lion’s mane extract might protect versus the growth of intestinal ulcers by inhibiting the development of H. pylori and securing the mucosal lining from damage.
A number of research studies have shown that lion’s mane extract can prevent the development of H. pylori in a test tube, yet no studies have actually tested whether they have the exact same impacts inside the gastrointestinal tract.
In additional animal research, it has been found that lion’s mane extract is more reliable in preventing alcohol-induced stomach ulcers than standard acid-lowering medicines, but with the benefit of having no unfavorable adverse side effects from the medication.
It has also been proposed that due to the action of Lion’s mane in assisting stomach ulceration, it may also assist in healing inflammation in damaged cells in other areas of the intestines such as inflammatory bowel illness like ulcerative colitis and also Crohn’s disease.
One study in people with ulcerative colitis indicated that taking a mushroom supplement containing 14% lion’s mane dramatically improved symptoms and positively improved lifestyle after 3 weeks. However, when the same study was repeated with people having Crohn’s disease, the benefits were no far better than a sugar pill.
May Decrease Cardiovascular Disease Risk.
Significant threat factors for heart disease include obesity, high triglycerides, excessive amounts of oxidized cholesterol, and also an increased tendency to obtain blood clots.
Research reveals that lion’s mane extract may influence several of these aspects and decrease the risk of heart problems. Studies in rats found that lion’s mane mushroom boosts fat metabolism and also reduces triglyceride levels.
One research study in rats fed a high-fat diet and offered daily doses of lion’s mane extract observed 27% lower triglyceride levels as well as 42% much less weight gain after 28 days. Because weight problems as well as high triglycerides are both considered as important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, this is one action in which lion’s mane mushrooms may contribute to heart health and wellness.
Test-tube studies have also shown that lion’s mane extract can aid in protecting against the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Oxidized cholesterol particles have a tendency to attach to the wall surfaces of arteries, triggering them to solidify and increasing the threat of heart attack as well as stroke. For that reason, reducing oxidation is advantageous for heart health and wellness.
Lion’s mane mushrooms consist of a compound called hericenone B, which can decrease the rate of blood clotting and also lower the threat of cardiac arrest or stroke.
May Assist In Managing Diabetic Symptoms.
Diabetes is a disease that takes place when the body loses the capacity to regulate blood sugar level levels. As a result, sugar levels are constantly elevated. Chronically high blood sugar levels at some point cause problems like kidney disease, nerve damages in the hands and also feet and vision loss.
Lion’s mane mushroom might be useful for diabetes by boosting blood sugar control and reducing a few of these adverse effects. A number of pet research studies have revealed that lion’s mane can cause dramatically reduced blood glucose levels in both normal as well as diabetic mice.
One way that lion’s mane reduces blood glucose is by blocking the activity of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down carbohydrates in the small intestine. When this enzyme is blocked, the body is unable to absorb and also take in carbohydrates as successfully, which causes lower blood sugar level levels.
Along with reducing blood sugars, lion’s mane extract may minimize diabetic nerve discomfort in the hands and also feet. In mice with diabetic nerve damage, 6 weeks of daily lion’s mane mushroom considerably decreased pain, decreased blood sugar levels as well as also increased antioxidant levels in the body.
Might Aid The Battle With Cancer.
Cancer cells takes place when DNA comes to be broken and triggers cells to split as well as replicate out of control.
Some research study suggests that lion’s mane mushroom has cancer-fighting capacities, thanks to numerous of its one-of-a-kind compounds.
In fact, when lion’s mane extract is mixed with human cancer cells in a test tube, they trigger the cancer cells to die at a quicker rate. This has been demonstrated with numerous sorts of cancer cells, including liver, colon, stomach as well as blood cancer cells.
Nevertheless, at least one research study failed to reproduce these outcomes, so more research into this effects are needed.
Along with killing cancer cells, lion’s mane has been shown to reduce the spread of cancer. One study in mice with colon cancer showed that taking lion’s mane minimized the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%. An additional research study discovered that lion’s mane extract was a lot more reliable than conventional cancer medicines at slowing down tumor development in mice, along with having less adverse effects.
However, it is important to note that the anti-cancer results of lion’s mane mushroom have never been evaluated in humans, so more study is required.
Reduces Inflammation As Well As Oxidative Stress
Chronic inflammation and also oxidative stress are believed to be at the root of lots of contemporary illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and also autoimmune conditions.
Research reveals that lion’s mane mushrooms contain effective anti-inflammatory and also antioxidant compounds that might help in reducing the impact of these ailments.
In fact, one study analyzing the antioxidant capacities of 14 various mushroom varieties found that lion’s mane had the 4th greatest antioxidant activity.
Numerous animal studies have discovered that lion’s mane extract reduced inflamation and oxidative stress rodents as well as being beneficial in the management of inflammatory bowel illness, liver damage as well as stroke.
Strengthens The Body’s Immune System
A strong immune system safeguards the body from bacteria, viruses as well as other disease-causing pathogens while a weak immune system puts the body at a higher danger of catching transmittable diseases.
Animal study reveals that lion’s mane mushroom can boost the digestive immune system, which safeguards the body from pathogens from entering through the mouth or nose. These effects might partly result from useful changes in gut bacteria that boost the immune system.
One research study found that supplementing with lion’s mane extract every day approximately quadrupled the lifespan of mice injected with a deadly dose of salmonella microorganisms.
In Lion’s Mane Mushroom Safe.
No direct research has been carried out on any negative effects of lion’s mane mushroom or various extracts on humans, but since it has long since been a food source for humans, it is considered extremely safe.
No negative effects have been seen in rats, even at doses as high as 5 grams per kg of body weight each day for one month. Nonetheless, any person who has a sensitivity or allergy to mushrooms should stay clear of lion’s mane, as it is a type of mushroom.
Conclusion
Lion’s hair mushroom and its extract have been revealed to have a selection of health and wellness advantages.
Research has indicated that lion’s mane may assist in preventing mental deterioration, minimize mild signs of stress and anxiety, and also anxiety and also help repair nerve damages.
It likewise has strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting abilities as well as been shown to lower the risk of heart problems, cancer cell formation and growth, gastro ulcers, and also diabetics issues in animals.
While the findings in existing scientific studies primarily on animals are very promising, more human studies are needed to develop functional health and wellness applications for lion’s mane mushroom.
It is important to note that if a person is not sensitive or allergic to mushrooms in general there are no negative consequences to eating lion’s mane mushrooms or derived extracts, but many possible benefits.