2024-01-11 11:43:30
Lion’s mane is the colloquial name given to the fungus Hericium erinaceus, known for its picturesque appearance in the form of a beard with cylinders up to 6 centimeters in length.This fungus is native to southeastern Europe and Asia, although it can currently be found in other parts of the world by inheritance.Lion’s mane is an edible and medicinal mushroom, typical of Chinese medicine and widely used in Japan, where it is known as Yamabushitake.
Currently, its use has been extrapolated from the culinary application or more associated with traditional medicine, to therapeutic use with scientific support in clinics around the world, as a food supplement.
Why take Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane is a mushroom highly appreciated for its rich nutritional diversitywhich has led to the discovery of a multitude of properties associated with its regular use.
Neuroprotective and cognitive support
Lion’s mane has shown a significant number of bioactivities linked to the prevention of dementiasuch as the promotion of the synthesis of NFG (Nerve Growth Factor) which is a neurological risk factor inverse to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Also:
It reduces the stress induced by the beta-amyloid peptide on the endoplasmic reticulum of neurons.It induces the survival, repair and proliferation of neurons, mainly through the NFG mechanism previously referred to.
Hericenones and different types of Polysaccharides naturally associated with lion’s mane are capable of naturally stimulating the synthesis of NGF, being the first stimulants of this process known in nature (Kawagishi, 2018).
Antidepressant and anxiolytic properties
Lion’s mane has been used successfully in preclinical and clinical trials for mood improvement.
The mechanisms through which these effects are achieved are still under investigation, since the depressive or pseudodepressive disorders They are complex and their causes have not yet been completely elucidated.
Some of the reasons that justify the effectiveness of lion’s mane extract are:
Enhancement of neurogenic properties (linked to the creation of neurons).Stimulation of the increase in neurotrophic factors (which favor the survival of neurons).Monoaminergic modulation (increasing the synthesis or sensitivity of catecholamines).Anti-inflammatory effects (reducing the expression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha).
All of this can result in an improvement in the symptoms of subclinical depression, and optimization of general mood (Chong et al., 2020).
Improved immune system
Lion’s mane polysaccharides are known typical compounds of fungi that have positive properties for increasing acquired immunity.
The immunomodulatory effects of using lion’s mane extract are mediated by the proliferation of lymphocytes, hemolysin levels, increased phagocytic capacity and the activity of NK cells (Natural Killers), among others. (Sheng et al., 2017)
These results are preclinical, meaning they have yet to be clearly defined in humans. However, the properties of Mushroom polysaccharides, such as those contained in lion’s mane, already have important studies that confirm their positive effects on resistance to infections thanks to strengthening the immune system.
You can read more about it in our article on the Shiitake Mushroom, another important fungal source of polysaccharides, recognized for its immunostimulating properties.
Digestive health
The lion’s mane has interesting positive properties at the digestive levelsince several of the natural and non-pharmacological active ingredients it contains have been associated since the era of traditional use in China and other Asian countries with the improvement of gastrointestinal disorders.
Many preclinical studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic potential of this important fungus, capable of:
Exert a gastroprotective effect and repair damage to the gastric mucosa.Help cope with Helicobacter Pylori infection and contribute to its prevention.Act as a protection system, as part of a healthy lifestyle, as an antineoplastic (contributing to the prevention of adhesion and development of tumor cells to gastric tissue).
Lion’s mane extract could have positive effects in cases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (manifestations of inflammatory bowel syndrome), also in colonic diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
More research is required to accurately assess the extent of these effects in humans, however, everything indicates that this may be one of the reasons why lion’s mane is capable of improving mooddue to its interaction on the gut-brain axis (Gravina et al. 2023)
Antioxidant properties
Lion’s mane is rich in polyphenols and has ferric reducing potential, which certifies its antioxidant power as a free radical scavenger (ROS) agent.
In preclinical studies, lion’s mane polysaccharides showed a increased activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and a decrease in lipid peroxidation levels (Khan et al., 2013)
What does this translate into?
In which the lion’s mane has protective potential for our cells and our DNAbeing able to exert preventive effects on erratic mutations, cell apoptosis and other internal defects that can cause future diseases in cases of chronic exposure to high degrees of oxidative stress.
It is therefore an excellent complement to known antioxidants such as vitamin C, resveratrol or quercetin; in mountain climbers, long-distance athletes, factory workers who work with aerosols and other pro-oxidant agents; as well as people who are very exposed to the sun (such as bricklayers).
Support for cardiovascular health
Lion’s mane has compounds, not yet specifically determined (so it is considered that it is the mushroom itself that has the positive effects indicated below), that are capable of impacting the body at different levels. cardiovascular system improving its functioning.
Firstly, lion’s mane is capable of inhibiting, in in vitro tests, the oxidation of LDL cholesterola dangerous process in the body that causes the accumulation of atherosclerosis and the formation of plaque, which in turn increases the risk of vascular disease.
And on the other hand, it is capable of reducing the activity of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase (Rahman et al., 2014) responsible for the conversion of HMG-CoA into Mevalonic Acid, and the target of action of statins for the reducing cholesterol levels (a coronary risk factor).
Lion’s mane acts at the same biological level as statins, and the next studies to be published in the following years will determine the potency with which it does so in the human body and whether it is a sufficiently powerful adjuvant treatment for cases of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular risk.
How to consume the lion’s mane mushroom
Lion’s mane can be grown (or purchased) for consumption as food, as it It is an edible mushroom which has a meat-like texture with a moderately umami taste.
However, as in other cases, this method of use is suitable for enjoying a food that gives us satisfaction, and that is also “healthy” thanks to its nutritional composition.
But to use it with more specific nutritional purposes (like the ones mentioned above) is not the best way, since How much of important compounds, such as polyphenols, are you consuming?
Well, it is not known, it is not known, because the mushroom as a food is not standardized in its bioactive componentsand as such, its content can vary depending on conditions such as exposure to light, soil, humidity, and many factors that can negatively affect the properties of the fungus.
To use Lion’s Mane for nutritional purposes, best opt for HSN extract, which is 15 times more concentrated, and its polysaccharide content is guaranteed at 50%, so you know exactly what you are using and can adapt it to your needs. needs.
Lion’s Mane Extract (15:1) 300mg by EssentialSeries
Side effects of lion’s mane
Lion’s mane is a commonly consumed mushroom, and its fruiting body is safe to consider as a traditional food.
There are no known adverse effects from its consumption, and in fact, there are hardly any clinical cases (of people who have been hospitalized for any reason, while consuming Lion’s Mane and their association between the consumption of the product and the reason for admission has been investigated); Therefore, lion’s mane is considered a very safe compound.
In cases of pregnancy, breastfeeding, specific diagnosed illnesses or medication, it is advisable to consult the doctor regarding the particular case.
Conclusion
Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom with great natural nutritional wealth.Among the most notable effects of its properties are: Neurostimulant, Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Cardioprotective, Anticholesterolemic and Immunostimulant.Much of the research on the functional properties of the fungus is preclinical, so in the coming years we will begin to receive much more information about the extent of its effects on humans.It is preferable to use standardized extracts to take full advantage of the functional properties of the fungus.The fruiting body of lion’s mane is safe and has no reported adverse effects.
If you are thinking about adding lion’s mane to your product stack, don’t hesitate and take advantage of the quality of HSN extract. Insuperable!
Bibliographic references
Chong, P. S., Fung, M. L., Wong, K. H., & Lim, L. W. (2020). Therapeutic potential of Hericium erinaceus for depressive disorder. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21010163Gravina, A. G., Pellegrino, R., Auletta, S., Palladino, G., Brandimarte, G., D’Onofrio, R., … Federico, A. (2023). Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 29(20), 3048–3065. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i20.3048Kawagishi, H. (2018). Biologically Functional Compounds From Mushroom-Forming Fungi. In S. C. Mandal, V. Mandal, & T. Konishi (Eds.), Natural Products and Drug Discovery: an Integrated Approach (pp. 309–326). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102081-4.00011-3Khan, M. A., Tania, M., Liu, R., & Rahman, M. M. (2013). Hericium erinaceus: An edible mushroom with medicinal values. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2013-0001Sheng, X., Yan, J., Meng, Y., Kang, Y., Han, Z., Tai, G., … Cheng, H. (2017). Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. Food and Function, 8(3), 1020–1027. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7fo00071e
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