Mushrooms are some of the healthiest foods you will consume. In Asian medicine practices, mushrooms have been revered for their healing properties. In fact, in some East Asian cultures, special varieties of mushrooms were reserved for the royal families only. Lion’s Mane is one such mushroom that boasts an impressive track record in ancient Asian medicine. My interest in these mushrooms and their properties has increased over the past few years, sparking my scientific studies of their benefits. The results have been positive.
Lion’s Mane has been touted as a cancer-fighting mushroom. It contains many anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that help with better bodily functions. It strengthens the immune system as well and makes you healthier and more youthful.
Let’s focus on the most important health benefits of Lion’s Mane.
Cancer-fighting properties
Lion’s Mane helps in increasing the number of NK cells. These Natural Killer (NK) cells are a special type of white blood cells that help in reducing blood vessels inside the tumors. The increased macrophage activation because of mushroom consumption has proven to help reduce the weight of tumors in mice studies. Together, NK cells and macrophages attack and remove cancerous cells from the body.
So how does reducing the number of blood vessels help in reducing tumor weight?
There are two types of tumors in the body- benign and malignant, of which the latter are cancerous. Malignant cells can invade surrounding cells and tissues in the body, known as metastasis. Their numbers increase very rapidly which can make the tumor spread into the farthest reaches of a surrounding tissue very quickly. When the blood vessels going into these tumors are reduced, the spread of the tumor can also be reduced. The mushrooms are especially helpful in reducing the effects of liver cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer.
Nootropic benefits
The mushroom’s most celebrated quality is its nootropic effect. Its positive effects on cognition and memory can help you beat many mental health issues. You will be able to maintain more focus and improve your attention span as well. This helps in concentrating better, whether you are a young student or an adult. There is no doubt that enhancement of concentration can help many people achieve better results in work or study. As the all-around brain function improves, you are much more likely to succeed.
It can help in reducing damage to both short-term and long-term memory. People facing the perils of dementia can derive great benefits from this herb. It is especially helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease. The use of this mushroom has proven to help anxiety and improve moods as well. Therefore, you can expect great mental health benefits when you consume Lion’s Mane.
New neurons can be manufactured in your brain which will improve your memory, speech, retention, as well as concentration. They contain two important compounds- erinacines and hericenones. Both work together to activate the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain. This protein ensures that your nerve cells continue to grow and function at top capacity. Any problems related to the lack of proper electronic signal transmission in the brain can be treated with these mushrooms.
Help for diabetics
Like most other medicinal mushrooms, Lion’s Mane can be used for treating diabetes. It helps in lowering blood sugar levels considerably. Consequently, it also improves the insulin sensitivity of the body. All problems related to diabetes like damage to the eye or retina, impaired kidney function, stroke, and heart disease can be treated by consuming this mushroom. It has great antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects which act as a boon for diabetics and help them manage their condition with ease.
Works against fatigue
If you want an herbal and 100% natural tonic that will improve the overall functioning of your body, you can depend on Lion’s Mane mushrooms. They have been used for vitality in ancient medicine as well. It has helped improve the body’s energy levels and reduce stress as well. Even chronic fatigue can be reduced with this remedy. It can reduce the levels of serum urea nitrogen, blood lactic acid, and malondialdehyde. This is also the reason why it is being used rigorously in sports nutrition to enhance athlete performance without the use of steroids.
Improved liver function for alcoholics
Alcoholism damages the liver, which in turn wreaks havoc on digestion and causes toxicity in the body. Such liver damage can be reduced with the use of Lion’s Mane mushrooms. They can protect the liver against damage. This is not all. Toxicity of the liver or hepatotoxicity can also be reversed in most cases. All markers or causes of liver injury, especially those related to alcoholism see a drastic reduction which can help restore proper liver function.
A healthier liver helps in improving digestion as well. The gastric mucosa improves immensely by using the mushrooms. With regular use, the chances of the development of gastric ulcers also reduce. The polysaccharides found in the mushrooms help boost your digestion which in turn leads to better nutrient absorption. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well which could relieve many gastric problems quickly.
Better heart health
The polysaccharides and a variety of minerals found in mushrooms can help in reducing LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Simultaneously, an increase in HDL cholesterol is noted, which helps in improving heart health. A high number of triglycerides in the bloodstream are often an indicator of heart disease. However, these too can be managed with ease.
As blood circulation in your body improves, the chances of stroke are reduced as well. As the brain continues to get an ample supply of oxygenated blood, your cognition improves, and clots do not form.
Legends claim that you can get nerves of steel and a lion’s memory on consuming this mushroom. While the claims are slightly exaggerated, this mushroom can indeed make drastic changes to your health and bless you with better volatility. Your constitution will change for the better and you will not only say goodbye to ongoing health issues but avoid future problems as well.