This supplement contains 1000 mg of organic lion’s mane mushroom with 40% polysaccharides in a vegan cellulose capsule. There are many beneficial bioactive compounds in mushrooms but the scientific community is indicating that polysaccharides are the most likely compounds responsible for its health benefits (1). Lion’s mane, scientifically known as hericium erinaceus, is a culinary and medicinal mushroom with potential benefits on cognitive health, nervous system health, digestive health, immune health as well as helping enhance mood, maintain normal cholesterol levels, and being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Lion’s mane has gained recent popularity because several scientific studies have shown enhancement of brain health and cognitive function with a daily lion’s mane supplement. In a double blind placebo controlled human study of mild Alzheimer patients, lion’s mane helped both the patient’s biomarkers and ability to perform activities of daily living (2). Other scientifically rigorous trials have also confirmed that lion’s mane helped individuals improve their cognition scores on various tests (3)(4).
Lion’s mane has the potential of helping promote and regenerate nerve cells. An in-vitro study found that lion’s mane extract had neurotrophic compounds that induced Nerve growth factor (NGF) which is essential for the maintenance of the basal forebrain cholinergic system (5). In an animal study, lion’s mane had the potential to promote the regeneration of injured nerves in the early stage of recovery (6).
Lion’s mane could play a major role in protecting the gastrointestinal system and enhancing the immune system. In an animal study, lion’s mane extract had a gastroprotective effect against the alcohol induced ulcers in the gastric walls as well as minimizing inflammation and oxidative stress (7). An in-vitro study found that lion’s mane could act as a prebiotic, promote growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and enhance the host immunity (8).
Lion’s mane could have potential mood-boosting effects by minimizing the symptoms of anxiety and depression (9). Many common mood disorders can be caused by the dysregulation of neurotransmitters or neurodegeneration. In a small placebo controlled study of 30 women found that those supplementing with a lion’s mane cookie had minimized the levels of negative emotions than the control group (10).
Lion’s mane seems to have a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect which may help combat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, maintain normal cholesterol levels as well as maintain normal glucose levels (11)(12)(13)(14).
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