Lion’s Mane: Medicinal Benefits

With an extensive history of usage in Chinese herbal medicine, Hericium erinaceus is a popular herbal supplement. It is a large, white mushroom that looks like a lion’s mane as it grows. Due to its appearance, it is given names like Lion’s Mane, mountain-priest mushroom, or bearded tooth fungus. Lion’s Mane mushroom is also called hou tou gu or yamabushitake. Due to its color and aroma, some people call it the “other white meat” as it a great vegan protein source . This mushroom is native to North America, Asia, and Europe.

You can enjoy Lion’s Mane mushroom in various ways. Some say they taste like seafood. Their extracts are also sold as health supplements. These mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds that impart several health benefits. Scientific evidence has highlighted that they are effective in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, immune stimulation, and cancer. They are especially beneficial for boosting brain and nerve health. In this article, we’ll review the possible health benefits of consuming Lion’s Mane.

Improves Cognitive Abilities

As we age, the body’s ability to form new cells declines, including brain cells. Age-related memory loss or dementia affects around 55 million globally. Lion’s Mane can help reverse this to some extent by helping form new nerve cells. This is due to the two bioactive compounds known as hericenones and erinacines found in this mushroom[2]. These compounds improve nerve cell formation in the hippocampus region that is involved in memory and emotion. Studies have also reported its positive effects on Alzheimer’s disease. A study published in the Journal of Biomedical Sciences (2016) reported that Lion’s Mane mushroom has a potential application in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease[3].

Reduces Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression — the two most prevalent and debilitating mental disorders in this modern era are causing huge loss to community health. Often, depressive symptoms are accompanied by inflammation which serves as a trigger as well as an indicator of worsening health conditions. A study published in the journal of Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior has reported that Lion’s Mane mushroom reduces the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 — indicators of inflammation — as well as depressive symptoms[4].

Improves Heart Health

As unhealthy lifestyles are becoming more common among the global population, chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are worsening. Lion’s Mane has been shown to decrease the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood resulting in decreased accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessel lining[5].

Alleviates Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a major health disorder that elevates blood sugar levels on a regular basis due to the loss of control over sugar levels. Lion’s mane mushrooms show anti-diabetic activity due to the blockage of a key enzyme- glucosidase- that breaks down carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract[6]. When this enzyme is blocked, the inability to break down carbs effectively causes them to be less easily absorbed in the body, resulting in fewer blood sugar spikes.

Anti-Cancerous Properties

Cancer statistics are horrific — estimates suggest that almost 40% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life. Nearly 1 in 6 deaths are due to some type of cancer. Some research points towards the ability of Lion’s Mane mushrooms to fight cancer because they possess certain compounds that are shown to be anti-cancerous[7]. A study published in 2013 reported that Lion’s Mane reduces cancer in the lungs by 69% in mice.

Conclusion

Lion’s Mane is an amazing herbal supplement that not only provides you with optimal nutrition but also gives you added health benefits. It is rich in protein, fiber, carbohydrates and vitamins that can add a great nutritional profile to your diet on daily basis. In addition, Lion’s Mane may provide you with anti-diabetic and anti-cancerous effects along with improving cognitive abilities and heart health.

References

[1] Development of the World Mushroom Industry: Applied Mushroom Biology and International Mushroom Organizations International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

[2] Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

[3] Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer's disease-related pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[4] Effects of amycenone on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and depression-like behavior in mice after lipopolysaccharide administration www.sciencedirect.com

[5] Inhibitory effect on in vitro LDL oxidation and HMG Co-A reductase activity of the liquid-liquid partitioned fractions of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Persoon (lion's mane mushroom) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[6] Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of eight medicinal mushroom species from China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[7] A new cerebroside from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus and its applicability to cancer treatment pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov