THE MANY MARVELOUS BENEFITS OF LION’S MANE MUSHROOMS

Prepare to have your mind blown when you find out what these mushrooms can do for you!

Lion’s mane mushrooms white, shaggy, and large, and as they grow, they start to resemble a lion’s mane—hence the name.

Also known as yamabushitake in Japan and hou tou gu in China, these mushrooms have been used in traditional remedies and herbal medicines for hundreds of years. Not only are they eaten raw, but they’re cooked, dried, steeped into teas, and turned into extracts that offer quite an impressive range of health benefits.

The bioactive substances in lion’s mane mushrooms work wonders in your brain and body, as well as your gut, your cardiovascular system, and your immune system.

Below, we’ll take a look at some of the things that make these mushrooms marvelous, and you’ll find out just what they can do for you!

Improve Mental Health

A number of studies have indicated that lion’s mane mushrooms are amazing for your mental and emotional health.

A 2015 animal study found that mice taking the mushroom extract were less prone to depression, as indicated by both blood markers and depressive behavior. In 2018, another animal study discovered that the mushroom contained compounds that actually helped to treat depression. A third study found that Japanese women who took a lion’s mane supplement for four weeks were less prone to anxiety and irritation.

The mushroom’s ability to combat chronic inflammation may be one of the keys to its success in improving mental health. Chronic inflammation is a known factor in a wide range of problems, including depression and anxiety. The anti-inflammatory effects of lion’s mane mushrooms have been proven effective at reducing depression symptoms in the animal studies where it was applied.

Studies have indicated that the mushroom can also help to regenerate the cells of your brain and improve function in your hippocampus, the part of your brain that processes both your memory and your emotions and emotional responses. Improved hippocampus function might directly correlate to decreased anxiety and depressive behavior, which means it can help to boost your mood!

High Antioxidant Activity

A study dating back to 2012 found that lion’s mane mushrooms had the fourth highest antioxidant activity of any medicinal mushrooms. This was described as “moderate to high” antioxidant levels, and can be amazing for your health.

Antioxidants help to counteract the effects of free radicals, which cause oxidative stress in your body. They also reduce the inflammation that is known to trigger a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, autoimmune disease, and diabetes.

By consuming more antioxidants, you give your body a better chance of fighting off health problems all on its own!

Healthier Nervous System

Lion’s mane mushrooms have been linked to an increase in nerve cell growth, as the mushrooms stimulate the production of these vital cells. Not only does this lead to a healthier central nervous system, but it can actually help you to heal faster from nervous system injuries—to the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves.

One animal study found that giving lion’s mane mushrooms to rats immediately post-stroke led to not only a decrease in inflammation in their brains, but also drastically decreased the severity of their stroke-induced injuries.

Better Brain Health

Lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds called erinacines and hericenons, both of which are able to stimulate the growth of new brain cells. This increased brain cell growth can help the brain to form new connections, which protects cognitive function and memory. For those who are aging, it’s possible that this benefit of lion’s mane could help to decrease age-related cognitive decline, including dementia.

Studies have also found that lion’s mane mushrooms are able to protect your brain specifically against Alzheimer’s, reducing the degeneration of brain matter that leads to memory loss. Not only can it help to improve mental functioning, animal studies suggest that it can protect the brain from amyloid-beta plaques, which build up and cause damage to the neurons.

One four-month study found that older adults who consume lion’s mane mushroom extract saw a visible improvement in their mental functioning, and the fact that the benefits disappeared when they stopped taking the supplement makes it pretty clear that the benefits came from the lion’s mane.

Heart-Smart

That’s right, lion’s mane mushrooms can be great for your heart!

Lion’s mane mushrooms can reduce the level of triglycerides in your bloodstream, preventing the build-up of these fatty acids that can raise your risk of heart disease. Not only that, but one animal study found that the mushroom also led to an increase in weight loss, which can further serve to reduce heart disease risk.

Test-tube studies have discovered another amazing benefit: the mushrooms can stop cholesterol from being oxidized and turning into hardened plaque on the arterial walls. Without this oxidization of cholesterol, no plaque can form, and thus the risk of blood vessel damage is drastically lowered—leading to a decrease in both stroke and heart attack risk.

The mushrooms also contain hericenone B, a compound that can reduce blood clotting and lower your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Boost Immunity

The antioxidants in lion’s mane mushrooms can help to boost your immunity by preventing oxidation and the inflammation that interferes with your body’s ability to protect itself. However, research suggests that the mushrooms will also boost intestinal immune activity, helping your gut bacteria be more effective at eliminating threats that enter your body via your food and drink. Lion’s mane mushrooms contain a special protein that can help to increase the growth of gut bacteria, but the good kind that are known to strengthen your immune system.

We’re proud to include lion’s mane mushrooms among the many natural and organic ingredients in our Pure Immunity supplement. Thanks to its many, many health-boosting properties, you’ll find that it, along with the rest of the high-potency additions in the supplement, will do wonders to make you healthier than ever!