9 health benefits of lion's mane mushroom and side effects

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Lion's mane mushroom (also known as lion's mane mushroom or yamabushitake) is a large, white and rough mushroom resembling a lion's mane. It can be eaten raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Their extracts are used for functional foods. It tastes like seafood (crab or lobster) and contains many biologically active substances that have beneficial effects on the body, especially the brain, heart and intestines.

1. 9 health benefits of lion's mane mushroom and extract

1.1 Protecting the body against dementia

The brain's ability to form and develop new connections usually declines with age. This may explain why mental performance becomes more sluggish in many older people. Studies have found that lion's mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate brain cell growth: hericenones and erinacines. In addition, animal studies have also found that this mushroom may help the body fight Alzheimer's disease - a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss.
In fact, lion's mane mushroom and its extracts were shown to reduce the symptoms of dementia in mice, and prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid - beta plaque buildup in the brain in mice. Alzheimer's patients. And while there are currently no studies analyzing whether lion's mane is beneficial for Alzheimer's disease in humans, it has been shown to boost mental performance.
A study in older adults with mild cognitive impairment found that consuming 3g of powdered lion's mane mushroom daily for 4 months significantly improved neurological function. However, these benefits disappeared as soon as the lion's mane supplement was discontinued. As such, it promotes neurodevelopment and protects the brain from damage associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, it's important to note that most studies have been done in animals or in test tubes. Therefore, more human studies are needed to confirm this benefit of lion's mane mushroom.

1.2 Alleviation of symptoms of depression and anxiety

Up to 30% of people living in developed countries experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation can be one of the main causes. And animal studies have found that lion's mane extract helps regenerate brain cells, improving the activity of the hippocampus - the area of ​​the brain responsible for processing memories and emotions. . Improving hippocampal function reduces anxiety and depressive behaviors (research in rats).
A small study done in menopausal women found that eating pretzels containing lion's mane mushroom daily for 1 month can reduce feelings of anxiety and arousal.

1.3 Speed ​​up recovery after nervous system injury

The human nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves that travel throughout the body. They work together to send and transmit signals that control almost every function of the body. Injury to the brain or spinal cord can cause paralysis or loss of mental function, taking a long time to recover.
However, research has found that lion's mane extract can help speed up the recovery of nerve injuries by stimulating the growth and self-healing of nerve cells. In fact, lion's mane extract has been shown to reduce recovery time by 23-41% in rats with nervous system injuries. In addition, lion's mane mushroom extract can also reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke. In one study, administering high doses of lion's mantle extract to rats immediately after a stroke reduced inflammation, reducing stroke-related brain injury size by 44%. However, there have been no studies done in humans to evaluate this effect of lion's mane mushroom.

1.4 Fights ulcers in the digestive tract

Sores can form anywhere along the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Stomach ulcers are usually caused by 2 causes: H.pylori overgrowth and damage to the stomach lining due to long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Lion's mane mushroom extract can protect the body against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H.pylori bacteria and protecting the gastric mucosa from damage. Additionally, an animal study found that lion's mane extract was more effective than traditional acid-reducing medications in preventing alcoholic stomach ulcers. At the same time, it also doesn't have any negative side effects. Besides, lion's mane mushroom extract also helps reduce inflammation, preventing tissue damage in other areas of the intestine. In fact, they may aid in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. One study in patients with ulcerative colitis found that taking a supplement containing 14% lion's mane extract after 3 weeks significantly reduced symptoms and improved quality of life. However, more studies are needed to confirm its effects.

1.5 Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

Factors that increase the risk of heart disease include: Obesity, high triglycerides, high amounts of oxidized cholesterol and an increased tendency to form blood clots. Research shows that lion's mane extract can influence these factors, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
Studies in rats have found that lion's mane extract improves fat metabolism and lowers triglyceride levels. Since obesity and high triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease, this is one way to explain why lion's mane is good for heart health.
Test-tube studies have also found that lion's mane extract can prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood. In fact, oxidized cholesterol molecules tend to stick to artery walls, causing them to harden, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, the cholesterol-lowering effect of lion's mane is also beneficial for heart health. In addition, lion's mane mushroom also contains the compound hericenone B - which reduces the blood clotting speed, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, more research is needed on this effect of lion's mane mushroom.

1.6 Controlling the symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body loses the ability to control blood sugar. And as a result, blood sugar levels rise. Chronic high blood sugar can cause complications such as: Kidney disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, impaired vision, etc. Lion's wort is beneficial for diabetes control. as it helps control blood sugar levels, reducing some of the complications of the disease.
Some animal studies have shown: Lion's mane mushroom was able to lower blood sugar in rats (both healthy and diabetic rats). That's because it blocks the action of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase - an enzyme responsible for breaking down carbs in the small intestine. When this enzyme is blocked, the body cannot effectively digest and absorb carbs, causing lower blood sugar.
In addition to its blood sugar-lowering benefits, lion's mane extract can also relieve symptoms of nerve pain in the hands and feet caused by diabetes. A study in rats with diabetic nerve damage that was given lion's mane extract daily for 6 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in pain, decreased blood sugar and increased anti-inflammatory levels. oxidize. However, more research is needed to determine its exact effects in humans.

1.7 Fight against cancer

Cancer occurs when DNA is damaged, causing cells to divide and multiply out of control. Some studies suggest that lion's mane mushroom has anti-cancer abilities thanks to some of its compounds. When lion's mane extracts were mixed with human cancer cells in a test tube, they caused the cancer cells to die at a faster rate. This effect has been demonstrated with some types of cancer cells such as liver cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer and blood cancer.
In addition to killing cancer cells, lion's mane extract has also been shown to have the ability to slow down the spread of cancer. One study in mice with colon cancer found that taking lion's mane extract reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%. Another study also found that lion's mane extract was more effective than traditional cancer drugs in slowing tumor growth in mice and had fewer side effects. However, the anti-cancer effects of lion's mane have not been tested in humans, so further research is needed.

1.8 Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated at the root of many modern diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Research shows that lion's mane mushrooms contain potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, which help reduce the negative effects of these diseases.
In fact, one study examined the antioxidant capacity of 14 different species of mushrooms and found that lion's mane mushroom has the 4th highest antioxidant activity. Therefore, it is considered a source of antioxidants. Very good oxidant should be added to the diet. In addition, some animal studies have also found that lion's mane extract reduces inflammatory symptoms and oxidative stress in rodents, and is effective in controlling inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. liver injury and stroke. In addition, lion's mane mushrooms may reduce some of the health risks associated with obesity because they help reduce inflammation secreted by adipose tissue. However, more human studies are needed to determine the health benefits of this mushroom.

1.9 Strengthening the Immune System

A strong immune system can protect the body from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. On the other hand, a weak immune system puts the body at high risk of infectious diseases. Animal research shows that lion's mane mushroom can boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which helps protect the body from pathogens that enter the intestines through the mouth or nose.

2. Does lion's mane mushroom have any side effects?

There are no human studies evaluating the side effects of lion's mane mushroom or its extracts. But it is considered a highly safe food. Specifically, no adverse effects were observed in rats, even with high doses of lion's mane mushroom of 5g/kg body weight/day for 1 month or lower doses for 3 months. However, those who are allergic or sensitive to mushrooms should avoid using lion's mane mushroom. There have been documented cases of people experiencing difficulty breathing or skin rashes after coming into contact with lion's mane mushroom (possibly due to an allergy).
Lion's mane mushroom and its extracts are proven to have many health benefits. However, more human studies are needed to confirm the actual effects of this mushroom.

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Reference source: healthline.com