Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract Capsules

Health Benefits of North Wiltshire Wellness, Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract Capsules.

In the past, scientists used rats and mice for many of their lion’s mane studies, and there were not many human studies available to confirm they provide the same benefits for us.

But with the increased popularity of lion’s mane, scientists are beginning to focus on human trials to better understand the health benefits this remarkable mushroom offers.

Below you will see, lion’s mane mushrooms have a lot to offer, including:

1. Enhancing Brain Function

Lion’s mane mushrooms are best known for their positive impact on brain health and the nervous system.

This is one of their most exciting health benefits, as studies indicate they may have the potential to help people suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and MS.

What does lion’s mane do to the brain?

One of the reasons that lion’s mane is so beneficial for the brain is its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.

The function of this barrier is to protect sensitive brain tissue from potentially harmful toxins in the blood.

It plays a vital role in protecting the brain, but unfortunately, while preventing toxins from getting to the brain, it also blocks many beneficial compounds.

Fortunately, two important compounds in lion’s mane, hericenones and erinacines, can cross this barrier.

Once inside the brain, they help stimulate nerve growth factors (NGFs) that protect the brain from injuries and aid neurogenesis, which is the formation of new neurons in the brain.

In summary, lion’s mane mushroom helps nerve cell growth, maintains nerve cell health and reduces nerve cell loss, enhancing the brain’s cognitive, motor and sensory functions.

Scientists have completed numerous studies using animals and humans, demonstrating their effects on brain health and their potential to regenerate injured nerves.

In a study using 30 Japanese men and women diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, subjects taking 1g of lion’s mane powder showed significantly improved cognitive ability.

Another 2020 study explored lion’s mane mushrooms’ potential to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and indicated it may help delay or even prevent further neurodegeneration.

2. Improving Focus and Memory

For centuries, Buddhist monks have used lion’s mane mushrooms to help them achieve greater cognitive focus and clarity, but studies to back up these claims are lacking.

Scientists believe lion’s mane helps to improve focus and mental clarity by increasing connectivity and transmission speeds in nerve cells.

As mentioned above, NGFs play a role in neurogenesis, the growth of new nerve cells in the brain, increasing the number of nerve connections in the brain.

NGFs also stimulate the production of myelin, the sheathing that forms around the brain and spinal cord nerve cells.

This sheathing allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells, and damaged or degraded myelin sheaths slow transmission.

By helping to ensure a healthy layer of myelin around nerve cells, NGFs increase the speed of electrical signals to, through and from the brain.

3. Alleviating Anxiety and Depression

Lion’s mane may also help to reduce anxiety and depression, and scientists believe this benefit results from its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to increase dopamine levels and stimulate nerve growth.

Scientists have linked lion’s mane to increased nerve growth in the brain, including in the hippocampus, which is sensitive to stress and responsible for regulating our mood.

A study in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience suggests that increased nerve growth in the hippocampus could result in fewer and less severe bouts of depression and anxiety.

Another way that scientists think lion’s mane may help is by increasing dopamine, often called the feel-good chemical, in the brain.

A 2018 study using mice showed that when you placed mice in stressful conditions, their dopamine levels dropped, increasing anxiety.

After consuming lion’s mane extract, their dopamine levels stabilized even though the stressful conditions remained the same, suggesting lion’s mane has antidepressant effects.

A 2020 review exploring the potential benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms as a treatment for depression and anxiety concludes it could play a role as an alternative medicine for these conditions.

However, current research is still at an early stage, and lion’s manes’ antidepressant-like effects require further investigation.

Promising studies on humans include a 4-week trial using thirty women who took lion’s mane extract or a placebo and an 8-week study using 77 overweight participants who all consumed lion’s mane.

In both studies, the participants taking extracts of lion’s mane reported lower stress and anxiety levels.

The second study also monitored lion’s mane effect on sleep disorders, and the results suggest it may help improve sleep quality, directly affecting mood.

4. Boosting the Immune System

The immune system and inflammation are very intricately linked, and if there is a problem in our body, the immune system initiates an inflammatory response to address the issue.

In normal circumstances, once the body solves the problem, inflammation levels drop, but internal and external stressors can cause ongoing chronic inflammation.

This is when problems arise, as chronic inflammation could be linked to several debilitating health conditions, including autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, MS and IBD.

A 2010 study suggests that lion’s mane may assist by reducing the signaling in one of the main inflammatory pathways in the body, decreasing that body’s inflammatory response.

But this is not the only way lion’s mane helps to boost the immune system. Like other medicinal mushrooms, the polysaccharides in lion’s mane help to regulate the gut microbiome, which has a significant effect on the immune system.

5. Protecting Against Cancer

Scientists have identified several active compounds in lion’s mane mushrooms that have anticancer effects and may be suitable for use in potential cancer treatments.

Studies indicate that lion’s mane supplements could slow and even potentially reverse the spread of several types of cancer, including leukemia, lung, colon, liver and gastric cancer.

However, these are animal studies, and we need more research to confirm that lion’s mane has the same anticancer effects in humans.

6. Improving Heart Health

Like many other medicinal mushrooms, lion’s mane also helps support heart health by reducing the amount of harmful cholesterol in your bloodstream.

The soluble fiber in lion’s mane contains beta-glucans that bind to cholesterol in the small intestine, preventing it from entering the bloodstream.

In a 2013 study using rats on a high-fat diet, supplementation with lion’s mane helped reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood.

In combination with its ability to reduce cholesterol, Beta glucans may also lower blood pressure, helping prevent and treat heart diseases.

Lion’s mane mushrooms also contain hericenone B, a compound found in plants and fungi that helps modulate blood clotting, reducing the chance of heart attack or stroke.

7. Supporting Digestive Health

The soluble fiber in lion’s mane is not only great for cholesterol levels. It also has pre-biotic effects and serves as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping to modulate the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome encompasses all of the microbes in your intestines, which function together as an organ and play a significant role in overall health and well-being.

The microbiome controls food digestion and directly affects the immune system, central nervous system and other bodily functions.

An unbalanced gut microbiome can negatively impact the entire body, contributing to several disorders that affect heart and brain health as well as weight management.

Animal studies suggest lion’s mane has the potential to regulate gut microbiota and the immune system, making it valuable for use in treating inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

8. Helping with Diabetes Management

Diabetes occurs when a person’s body cannot manage blood sugar levels properly, resulting in blood sugar levels that are constantly elevated.

Over time, chronically high blood sugar levels can cause damage in the body, leading to pancreas, liver, kidney and nerve damage and loss of vision.

A 2017 study using mice indicated that the polysaccharides in lion’s mane have the potential for use as a natural drug to help prevent diabetes and its complications.

One of the ways that lion’s mane lowers blood sugars is by inhibiting the activity of α-glucosidase.

This enzyme breaks down carbohydrates in the small intestine, and when blocked, the body does not digest and absorb as many carbohydrates, resulting in lower blood sugar levels.

In another study, lion’s mane provided pain relief to diabetic rats with nerve damage, suggesting it could be beneficial for pain management in people with diabetes-induced nerve damage.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Nutrition

Nutritionists classify lion’s mane mushrooms as a functional food because they contain lots of beneficial bioactive compounds, vitamins and minerals that provide health benefits over and above their nutritional value.

They’re excellent as part of a weight loss program as they’re low in calories and fat, with only 35 calories per 3.5oz (100g) serving.

Lion’s mane also contains 0.08oz (2.5g) of protein per 3.5oz (100g) serving and is high in dietary fiber, providing potent health benefits.

Each Nort Wiltshire Wellness, Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract Capsules also contains several essential minerals, including:

• Potassium that helps kidney and heart function
• Phosphorus that helps with cell growth and maintenance
• Magnesium that helps regulate nerve and muscle function

Lion’s mane is a good source of B vitamins:

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (Folate)

When to Take Lion’s Mane

There is no set rule for when to take lion’s mane, and timing will vary depending on your lifestyle and which benefits you hope to enjoy.

Many recommend taking it early before a busy workday to improve focus, mental clarity and memory. Early afternoon is also a suggestion, as lion’s mane may help prevent a late afternoon dip in focus and concentration.

Others feel that the best time to take lion’s mane supplements is before bed, as it may help you wind down and get a better night’s sleep.

But there is some debate around this, as studies suggest you’ll still experience improved sleep if you take lion’s mane in the morning.

This is because lion’s mane could stabilize cortisol levels, reduce stress and improve cognitive function throughout the day, resulting in better sleep.

1. Allergies and Sensitivities

People with known mushroom allergies should approach lion’s mane cautiously.

Although uncommon, allergic reactions can occur, and a few people have reported allergic reactions to lion’s mane, including abdominal pain, nausea, and skin rashes. Start with a small dose if you’re new to lion’s mane to gauge your body’s response.

2. Gastrointestinal Discomfort 

While generally well-tolerated, some people may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, flatulence, and digestive changes. Adjusting the dosage or taking lion’s mane with food can sometimes alleviate these symptoms.

3. Medication Interactions

If you’re currently taking medications or have pre-existing health conditions, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional before taking lion’s mane supplements. 

For example, lion’s mane mushrooms’ ability to modulate blood clotting may interfere with anticoagulant drugs and result in unwanted bleeding or bruising.

And, if you’re taking diabetes medications, you’ll need to keep an eye on your blood sugar readings as lion’s mane helps lower blood glucose levels, and you may need to adjust your dosage.