Researchers are discovering new ways in which functional mushrooms can improve our health and well-being, bringing them the attention they deserve. The Lion’s Mane mushroom is beneficial to multiple body systems. It is gaining popularity worldwide due to its numerous health benefits, distinctive appearance, and exquisite flavour.
This guide examines Lion’s Mane from a variety of angles. First, we will investigate the origin and history of this fascinating fungus to determine where it originated. Incorporating Lion’s Mane into one’s lifestyle is associated with many health and wellness benefits, including some interesting, lesser-known characteristics.
There is much to unpack about this fascinating health booster, so let’s examine its origins, benefits, how it works and where to buy lion’s mane mushrooms.
How Lion’s Mane Works
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The lion’s mane fruiting bodies (the part we recognise as the mushroom) and mycelium (the mushroom’s root-like structure) contain numerous beneficial plant compounds.
“Lion’s mane contains a variety of mixtures that may have useful effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, and nerve growth factors,” says Lindsay Delk, RDN, an expert in the relationship between food and mental health based in Houston.
Lion’s mane contains polysaccharides, hericerins, alkaloids, steroids, erinacines, and lactones as active ingredients. “These ingredients promote the growth and regeneration of nerve cells and keep the body from free radicals and inflammation,” Delk says.
Benefits of the Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Here is the list of lion’s mane mushroom benefits. Keep reading!
Lion’s Mane for Inflammation
Functional mushrooms are well-known antioxidant powerhouses that promote a healthy inflammatory response, so it should be no surprise that this mushroom’s qualities make it a heavyweight in this field.
Lion’s Mane for Digestion
Lion’s Mane may be beneficial for stomach discomfort and digestive health. Using a Lion’s Mane protein helps in inflammatory digestive tissues decreased, and microbiome diversity increased, two positive outcomes in irritable bowel disease. Traditional Chinese medicine uses Lion’s Mane mushrooms to support the digestive organs. Recent findings in the gut-brain axis suggest that the relationship between the two systems is crucial for brain health.
Lion’s Mane Balances Blood Sugar
A healthy blood sugar level is essential to overall health. Animal studies have demonstrated that Lion’s Mane helps maintain stable blood sugar levels by modulating enzymes in the small intestine.
Immune-Boosting Lion’s Mane
A robust immune system is essential for defending the body against foreign invaders. As with other medicinal mushrooms, Lion’s Mane can be an ally to the immune system. In vitro studies indicate that it may support a healthy immune response by regulating gut and intestinal bacteria. Studies on mice suggest that Lion’s Mane can modulate mucosal activity to enhance immune function.
How to Find Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
There are two main classifications of lion’s mane: food and supplements.
According to Forest Wildlife, lion’s mane mushrooms commonly grow on dead and decaying trees in North America, Europe, and Asia, typically in late summer or fall.
You can also buy lion’s mane in supplement form: liquid, capsule, powder, or tablet.
Fresh lion’s and lion’s mane supplements are available online, in health food stores, and supermarkets.
Safety and Potential Side Effects of Lion’s Mane
Although the health benefits of Lion’s Mane are numerous and well-documented, a few individuals should exercise caution before adding it to their morning routine.
Anyone with an allergy should avoid Lion’s Mane until cleared by a physician. Before taking Lion’s Mane, pregnant or nursing women should consult with a physician. Before consuming functional lion’s mane mushroom supplements, people taking prescription drugs, especially those about blood thinning or cognition, should consult a physician.
