LION'S MANE | MUSHROOM EXTRACT
Hericium erinaceus, most commonly known as Lion’s Mane, is an edible fungus, with a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The mushroom is abundant in bioactive compounds including β-glucan polysaccharides; hericenones and erinacine terpenoids; isoindolinones; sterols; and myconutrients, which potentially have neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties and promotion of nerve growth factor gene expression and neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, lion's mane shows great promise for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning gets worse in many older adults.
Hericenones and erinacines found in lion’s mane encourage the formation of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that acts like a super fertilizer for your neurons. NGF not only heals and protects nerve cells, but it also stimulates the growth of new ones in both the brain and the nervous system. Some experts believe that NGF deficiency is linked to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, NGF is a large molecule that can’t pass through the brain’s protective blood-brain barrier. This limits its therapeutic potential.
But hericenones and erinacines are smaller compounds that easily cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to boost the level of NGF in the brain. Lion’s mane also helps to rebuild myelin, a protective coating surrounding nerve fibers that acts as the nervous system’s insulation. Myelin also speeds up communication between brain cells. Several central nervous system disorders, most notably multiple sclerosis, are a consequence of the loss of myelin. There is currently no cure for these demyelinating diseases, but compounds that stimulate NGF such as those found in lion’s mane mushrooms may be a key to such treatment.
Lion’s Mane can help with depression. It’s not fully understood what causes depression. The most commonly held theory is that it’s caused by a lack of the brain chemical serotonin. But one of the more intriguing alternative theories is that depression is the result of chronic brain inflammation, rather than a neurotransmitter imbalance. Brain inflammation has been linked to both depression and anxiety, as well as other brain disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Amycenone is an anti-inflammatory compound found in lion’s mane that may be responsible for its antidepressant properties. Human studies confirm that taking lion’s mane for four weeks reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. One study found that Amyloban 3399, a patented form of amycenone, was helpful for treating sleep disorders, cognitive and anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia.
Lion’s Mane can help with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is an intermediate stage between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Being diagnosed with MCI increases your risk of eventually developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In one clinical study, seniors diagnosed with MCI were given 3 grams of dried lion’s mane mushroom powder daily for 16 weeks. At the end of the study, their cognitive function scores had improved significantly with no adverse side effects. The presence of beta amyloid plaques in the brain is an important biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease and there’s evidence that lion’s mane can break them up. Researchers are hopeful that compounds found in lion’s mane may be useful for halting and even reversing dementia or Alzheimer’s. Another way lion’s mane might slow mental decline is by raising levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with memory and learning. Low levels are associated with serious neurological disorders including dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Lion's mane mushroom can boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose. The immune system can affect cognition, and the majority of genes shown to influence Alzheimer's disease risk impact the function of the immune system. There are endocrine and environmental factors that can lead to excessive continuation of immune activity and persistent elevation of inflammatory responses. Such disproportionate activity becomes increasingly pronounced with aging. The specific vulnerability of the nervous system to prolonged immune events is involved in several disorders frequently found in the aging brain. In addition to being a target for inflammation associated with neurodegenerative disease, the nervous system is also seriously impacted by systemically widespread immune disturbances since there are several means by which immune information can access the central nervous system.
We offer a high quality, pure organic mushroom extract. This extract is powerful with measured levels of beta glucans > 25%. Beta glucans are the main active beneficial compound in medicinal mushrooms. Many medicinal mushroom products contain high levels of grain fillers. Our Lion's Mane product contains an effective 1,000 mg (1 g) dose per serving.
Health IS Wealth Lion's Mane contains no grain, no fillers and no mycelium. This product is vegetarian, dairy, soy, GMO and gluten free.
