Despite its name, the lion’s mane is a white mushroom, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus. The unique fungus looks like white pom-poms that are used in medicine and food. They are popular in India, China, Korea, and other Asian countries, and you can find them in various supplement shops.
Its flavor is often similar to seafood where people can eat it raw or cooked. It can also be converted into liquids, capsules, powder, and oil, which can offer various health benefits. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals, which makes it an ideal supplement for people who want to live a healthier lifestyle. Some of their advantages are the following:
Cognitive Function Enhancement
With the help of bioactive compounds, these supplements can be a primary or a secondary dietary component that can improve mood and neurocognition. Non-human studies showed that they stimulate the nerve growth factor that can enhance focus and memory and essentially help the brain cells. It’s also found to restore various levels of dopamine and serotonin which are all important in improving one’s mood.
They are also going to be helpful when it comes to the repair of the nerve cells after a traumatic brain injury. This is also referred to as a smart mushroom, where a study between two groups of people between 50 to 80 years old took around 250 mg of tablets that contained a dried powder of the lion’s mane and the other was taking a placebo. There were results that showed that people who were taking these supplements scored more on cognitive tests compared to the ones who didn’t.
Potential Protection Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
There are chemicals present in the mushroom that can promote survival and growth. They are going to affect the mature and new nerve cells where experimental tests on animals showed them that they are helpful in various conditions. Specifically, they can help with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, MS, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and nerve injuries.
Alleviation of Anxiety and Depression
The right extracts can often calm down people who are anxious or those who have mental health conditions. They may also be helpful for those who can’t sleep at night and those with menopausal symptoms. Those who were given cookies containing the extract for around four weeks have lessened their depressive symptoms and stress compared to those who are taking placebos.
Two kinds of chemicals present in the lion’s mane namely erinacines and hericenones might be responsible for these effects. They may also work by changing the levels of the NGF and they can help with the survival of other brain cells. However, further studies are needed when it comes to comparing them to other anti-depressants.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
These extracts are known for their antioxidant properties that essentially fight free radicals in the body. They are often promoting a healthier immune system, where which can result in patients who want a faster recover from muscle and nerve damage. With the right Lions Mane supplement, they will help guard against cell damage, and you can also get relief from rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers.
Reduce the Risks of Heart Diseases
Know that there are risk factors that often come with heart diseases including high triglycerides, obesity, and oxidized cholesterol. There are studies show that the lion’s mane can influence these factors and decrease the risks of diseases. Rat studies also show that the extracts can lower triglyceride levels and improve fat metabolism.
This was known in 2010 when the mice had a high-fat diet that was given lion’s mane extract showed that they experienced around less weight gain in less than a month. Reducing the possibility of obesity is the way the lion’s mane contributes to the heart’s health, and it prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. This is where gbmushrooms can help where the supplements can be used alongside exercises and a healthy diet that many people are practicing.
Know that bad cholesterol can often attach itself to the walls of the artery and they can harden. This results in stroke or heart attack and reducing their oxidation can often bring good results. There’s also a compound called hericenone that can reduce blood clotting, but further studies are needed to support these findings.
Immune System Support
A component called polysaccharides called beta-glucans is often present in the mushrooms and they are often a long chain of monosaccharides bound together. They are often fermented
These compounds enhance the body’s ability to fight off infections by stimulating the activity of immune cells, including macrophages and natural killer cells. Regular intake of these supplements can help strengthen the immune system, making it more resilient against illnesses, particularly during times of increased stress or seasonal changes.
Gut Health Improvement
Protect your gut with these supplements because they have a lot of probiotics. They are going to promote the healthy bacteria in your digestive system and can decrease the appearance of stomach ulcers. They are also going to quiet down the inflammation in one’s gut and improve nutrient absorption. A balanced immune response is going to be optimal for digestion and when the microbiome in your gut is healthy, you can expect that you’ll also be healthier.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Those who have diabetes may find that the Lion’s mane can help them control their blood sugar levels and there are studies about the Hericium erinaceus that prove this. There are researchers who have given rats who have diabetes with the extracts, and they showed positive results. It has resulted in decreased feelings of nerve pain and has improved the activity of antioxidants in the body.See info about a Lion’s Mane on this webpage here.
Wound Healing and Skin Health
Lion’s Mane mushrooms can contain flavonoids and phenols that are helpful against oxidative stress. The mushroom’s bioactive compounds have been shown to enhance collagen production, which is essential for skin elasticity and wound healing. Also, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help protect the skin from damage caused by environmental stressors, promoting a youthful and healthy complexion.
