If you’ve heard anything about lion’s mane you’ll know this mushroom comes packed with nutrients and is said to help with a variety of cognitive functions. Lion’s mane is becoming more popular as a supplement but before purchasing a bottle of tablets, it is important to understand what this mushroom is, how it can benefit you, and what its possible side effects are.
What is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane is a mushroom found all over the world. In Asian countries, it has long been consumed in meals as well as taken for its medicinal benefits. It is consumed raw, cooked, or extracted into over-the-counter health supplements.
These mushrooms contain bioactive substances that can positively affect the brain, heart, and gut. Similar substances are found in other fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, and whole grains. They are currently being studied in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and other ailments.
How Does it Work?
Lion’s mane is thought to have numerous health benefits. It may improve the development of nerves as well as protect them from future damage. Alongside that, it may help the digestive system and reduce swelling of the stomach lining.
A Natural Food
Lion’s mane has been consumed regularly for hundreds of years. It grows all over the world and is relatively common, as well. Many mushrooms are nutritional and functional and the lion’s mane is no exception.
Benefits of a Lion’s Mane Supplement
There are not a lot of completed studies surrounding lion’s mane, but preliminary results are promising. With its bioactive substances and its natural compounds, lion’s mane has a lot of potential physical and cognitive benefits.
Adding this as a supplement to your daily routine is easy, and can produce a wide variety of benefits, like:
- Protection against dementia
- Depression and anxiety relief
- Recovery from nervous system injuries
- Help prevent ulcers
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Relieve symptoms of diabetes
- Reduced risk of cancer
- Immune system boost
Benefits to Cognitive Function
As we age, the brain’s ability to grow and form new connections declines. Preliminary studies have found that lion’s mane can help the brain make new connections with two compounds found in it — hericenones and erinacines. These connections increase memory retention and strength through all ages of your life. Alongside that, lion’s mane appears to provide a slight boost to cognitive functioning in adults.
Though there have been no human studies, research indicates that lion’s mane extract can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice. Inflammation in the brain can contribute to symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lion’s mane has anti-inflammatory effects.
Lion’s mane can stimulate growth in the brain, which may prove beneficial to the recovery of injuries to the brain or spinal cord. As of now, no studies have been conducted on humans.
Reduce Risk of Diseases
Lion’s mane may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and reduce symptoms of diabetes. Early studies have shown it can influence the factors of the diseases, like improving fat metabolism and preventing the oxidation of cholesterol. Both of these reduce the risk of heart disease.
In animal studies, lion’s mane extract mixed with cancer cells in a test tube caused them to die at a faster rate. Though the preliminary studies on the effect lion’s mane have on these diseases are promising, much more research needs to be done before anything can be concluded.
Boost Immune System
Lion’s mane can protect the stomach lining, helping to prevent ulcers from forming. They often form from the overgrowth of a bacteria called H. pylori, and consuming lion’s mane inhibits the growth of that bacteria.
In another animal study, lion’s mane boosted the immunity of the animals, better protecting them from disease.
Potential Side Effects
Lion’s mane is a very safe supplement, hiding no serious side effects among its amazing benefits. Even in large doses, animal testing has come across no adverse effects.
It may Affect Pre-existing Conditions
If you are allergic or sensitive to mushrooms, you should avoid lion’s mane supplements.
There are also a few cases of mild stomach discomfort after consuming the supplement. Overall, consuming lion’s mane is very safe. If you notice any symptoms after consuming lion’s mane, contact your doctor and stop taking the lion’s mane supplement.
Adding it to Your Daily Routine
Lion’s mane extract comes in a variety of forms ranging from powder to capsules to cream. Capsules are an easy way to add lion’s mane to your routine and are a great way to start experiencing the health benefits of taking lion’s mane every day.
Regardless of what form you decide, it is important to talk to your health care provider about a dosage plan. Depending on how you plan on adding lion’s mane to your diet, different amounts may be recommended.
Any time of the day is right for taking your dose of lion’s mane, just think about when is right for you!
Is Lion’s Mane Right for You?
A Lion’s mane supplement is an easy way to add it to your diet, and it comes with a wide variety of benefits. Strengthen your memory, boost your immunity, and help your heart with Dr. Emil Nutrition’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules. As with any supplement, be sure to discuss its potential addition with your healthcare provider. They can inform you about any interactions this supplement may have with other supplements, herbal remedies, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications. Before trying lion’s mane, make sure to consult with your doctor to make sure this supplement is right for you.
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