Enhances brain function and benefits the nervous system:
Enhances neurite outgrowth in the brain and related organs. Neurite outgrowth refers to the growth of axons and dendrites from neurons.
By increasing this growth, it could potentially be possible to slow or reverse cell degeneration in the brain — the main characteristic of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A 2012 study conducted in Malaysia found that consuming lion’s mane mushroom could actually regenerate damaged cells from peripheral nerve injury, an injury affecting the delicate tissue between your brain and spinal cord. Extracts and various forms of lion’s mane mushroom seem to have a major impact on PC12 cells, protecting them from damage and delaying their cell death significantly. Lion’s mane mushroom stimulated cognitive function and helped improve memory in mice, both with and without an Alzheimer’s model. Multiple studies have found an inverse correlation between lion’s mane and Alzheimer’s-related symptoms, meaning that after consuming the mushroom extract, the mice’s symptoms improved. An improvement of mild cognitive impairment in humans was also found after eight to 16 weeks of lion’s mane supplementation, although this improvement did not last after subjects stopped taking this supplement. The danger of ischemic injury (damage caused by a lack of blood flow) to neurons is also of significance when you’re talking about brain damage and disease. In laboratory tests conducted in Taiwan, lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to help prevent this type of injury. Taking lion’s mane supplements has also been found to have potentially protective effects on the spread of Parkinson’s disease in animal models as well.

May help protect against cancer:

In varying degrees, compounds from or supplementation with lion’s mane mushroom has been found to potentially slow the progression or reverse the spread of:

• Leukemia

• Gastric (stomach) cancer

• Lung cancer

• Cervical cancer

• Liver cancer

• Colon cancer

• Breast cancer

In regard to leukemia, lion’s mane was shown to significantly reduce leukemia cells in a Korean study. The phytochemicals in lion’s mane mushroom also have therapeutic potential against human leukemia. As far as gastric cancer is concerned, a study found that lion’s mane caused cell death and cell cycle arrest with gastric cancer. The researchers concluded, “our study provides in vitro evidence that HEG-5 may be taken as a potential candidate for treating gastric cancer.” Both cell and animal studies unearthed the ability of lion’s mane mushroom to help treat lung cancer. Meanwhile, according in vitro and animal research, lion’s mane exhibits anticancer activity against colon, breast and other cancers as well. Another interesting finding involved the metastasis (cancer spreading) from the colon to the lung. When a cancer spreads to more than the original organ in which it was found, a patient is considered to have stage IV cancer. rats were given either hot water lion’s mane extract or microwaved ethanol extracts of lion’s mane mushroom. By consuming lion’s mane extract, the rats studied showed inhibited metastasis of cancer cells to the lungs by 66 percent and 69 percent, respectively.

Supports heart and circulatory system health:
Lion’s mane mushroom might also help you in preventing heart disease. In vitro and animal research has found that extracts of lion’s mane can prevent the increase of LDL cholesterol (sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol), increase HDL, or “good,” cholesterol and lower triglycerides in the bloodstream, an early indicator of heart disease. An extract of lion’s mane mushroom may be able to prevent blood clots and help reduce the risk of stroke.

Might improve digestive health:
Due in part to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, lion’s mane mushroom might improve the function of your stomach and digestive system. In multiple studies, lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to protect from or shrink gastric ulcers.  Researchers concluded the bioactive compounds in lion’s mane extract may be responsible for the gastroprotective activity exhibited on the rats. Lion’s mane may also significantly improve symptoms of two major inflammatory disorders of the digestive system, gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Supplementing with lion’s mane helped improve ulcerative colitis symptoms.

Reduces inflammation:
Lion’s mane mushroom was able to reduce inflammation in fatty tissue. This is important because fatty tissue inflammation is a factor in the formation of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Lion’s mane also has antibacterial effects against H. pylori, often considered “the most successful pathogen in human history.” Many people never have symptoms of carrying the bacteria, but for some people it causes severe gastric conditions, like ulcers in the stomach and/or intestines.

Acts as a powerful antioxidant:
The molecules in lion’s mane mushroom have antioxidant abilities and help prevent and relieve the oxidative stress caused by poor nutrition and exposure to chemicals in the environment. One specific way these antioxidants may be useful is in the healing of wounds. A liquid extract of lion’s mane sped up wound healing significantly compared to natural healing in rats. These antioxidants may also:

• Help prevent osteoporosis

• Protect against alcohol-induced liver damage, as shown in research on mice

• Slow the aging of skin, as displayed in a study on rats

Improves immune function:
Lion’s mane seems to have the ability to enhance immune system function in a manner also related to the polysaccharide content in the fungus.

Might be useful for managing diabetes:
A 2013 animal study showed marked improvement in blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and various other diabetes symptoms when an extract of lion’s mane mushroom was given to rats. Possibly because of the antioxidant activity of lion’s mane, administering it to animals also seems to relieve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy.

Improves mental health and overall well-being:
A lion’s mane mushroom supplement may also help you feel better by improving sleep and reducing the effects of mental health issues.

The powerful polysaccharides extracted from lion’s mane have been shown to fight fatigue in mice trials. They also might have the ability to adjust circadian rhythms back to normal, which is particularly significant for people who are at risk for dementia. Consuming

lion’s mane mushroom may also be a natural way to help treat depression and anxiety. In one study, 30 women were given either a placebo or lion’s mane for four weeks. Researchers concluded, “Our results show that HE intake has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety, and these results suggest a different mechanism from NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus.” This seems to be related, in part, to the inflammation factor related to depression, as shown in mice studies. 

High in nutrients:
Research suggests that lion’s mane is a source of at least 32 bioactive compounds. Although it’s hard to pinpoint the vitamin and mineral content of lion’s mane, it’s believed to be a rich source of potassium, zinc, iron and selenium. One reason lion’s mane has been researched for a wide variety of purposes is because of the polysaccharides it contains. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate structures, like glucose. Lion’s mane mushroom contains beta-glucan polysaccharides, which are known scientifically to have correlations with various health benefits, like heart health and immune responses.

Dosage:
The dosages recommended in supplements ranges from 300 milligrams to 3,000 milligrams, one to three times daily, so follow the instructions on the label carefully. If you aren’t sure how your body will react, start with a smaller dose of a lion’s mane supplement, and work your way up from there. If you notice any allergy symptoms after using lion’s mane mushroom extract or supplements, like itchiness or digestive issues, stop using the supplement altogether.
 

Source: Dr. Axe, Ancient Nutrition