9 bienfaits époustouflant d'une cure de Lion's Mane révélé par la science

9 Mind-Blowing Benefits of a Lion's Mane Diet Revealed by Science

September 5, 2024

1. May protect against dementia

The brain's ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental function deteriorates in many older people.¹

Studies have shown that lion's mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate brain cell growth : hericenones and erinacines.²

Additionally, animal studies have shown that lion's mane may help protect against Alzheimer's disease , a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss.

In fact, lion's mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice and prevent neuronal damage caused by beta-amyloid plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer's disease ³ ⁴ ⁵ .

A 2020 study in people with mild Alzheimer's disease found that supplementing with one gram of lion's mane mushroom per day for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared to a placebo⁶ .

Lion's mane mushroom's ability to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from damage associated with Alzheimer's disease may explain some of its beneficial effects on brain health.

However, it is important to note that most of the research has been conducted on animals or in test tubes, so more studies in humans are needed.

2. Helps relieve mild symptoms of depression and anxiety

Up to a third of people in developed countries experience symptoms of anxiety and depression⁷ ⁸ .

While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation may be a key factor.

Animal research has shown that lion's mane mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice⁹ .

Other animal studies have shown that lion's mane extract may also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus , a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional reactions¹⁰ ¹¹ .

Researchers believe that improved hippocampal functioning may explain the reduction in anxious and depressive behaviors in mice receiving these extracts.

While these animal studies are promising, there is very little research in humans.

A small 2010 study of postmenopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion's mane mushrooms daily for one month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety ¹² ¹³ .

3. May speed recovery from nervous system injuries

The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves that run throughout the body. These components work together to send and transmit signals that control almost every bodily function.

Brain or spinal cord injuries can have a variety of adverse medical consequences. They often result in paralysis or loss of mental function, and they can take a long time to recover.

However, research has shown that lion's mane mushroom extract may help speed healing of these types of injuries by stimulating nerve cell growth and repair¹⁴ ¹⁵ . It may also help reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke .

However, no studies have been conducted in humans to determine whether lion's mane would have the same therapeutic effect on nervous system injuries as suggested by animal research.

4. Protects against digestive tract ulcers

Ulcers can form anywhere in the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

There are usually two main factors that cause stomach ulcers: overgrowth of the bacteria H. pylori and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach, often due to long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs¹⁶ .

Lion's mane extract may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage¹⁷ .

Several older studies have shown that lion's mane extract can prevent the growth of H. pylori in a test tube, but no studies have tested whether the extract has the same effects inside the stomach¹⁸ ¹⁹ .

Another animal study in 2013 found that lion's mane extract was more effective at preventing alcohol-induced stomach ulcers than traditional acid-reducing medications , without any negative side effects²⁰ .

Lion's mane extract may also reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage in other areas of the intestines. In fact, they may help treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease²¹ ²² ²³ .

A 2016 study of people with ulcerative colitis found that taking a mushroom supplement containing 14% lion's mane extract significantly reduced symptoms and improved quality of life after 3 weeks. ²⁴ .

However, when the same study was repeated in patients with Crohn's disease, the benefits were about the same as with placebo²⁵ .

It is important to note that the herbal supplement used in these studies included several types of mushrooms, so it is difficult to draw conclusions about the specific effects of lion's mane.

Overall, research suggests that lion's mane extract may help inhibit the development of ulcers , but more research in humans is needed.

5. Reduced risk of heart disease

The main risk factors for heart disease include:

obesity
high triglyceride levels
large amounts of oxidized cholesterol
an increased tendency to form blood clots

Research shows that lion's mane extract may influence some of these factors and reduce the risk of heart disease .

Studies in rats and mice have shown that lion's mane mushroom extract improves fat metabolism and reduces triglyceride levels²⁶ .

A 2010 study of rats fed a high-fat diet and given daily doses of lion's mane extract found a 27% drop in triglyceride levels and a 42% decrease in weight gain after 28 days²⁷.

Since obesity and high triglycerides are both considered risk factors for heart disease, lion's mane mushrooms may contribute to heart health.

Test-tube studies have also shown that lion's mane extract may help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream²⁸ .

Oxidized cholesterol molecules tend to stick to artery walls, causing them to harden and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Reducing oxidation is beneficial for heart health .

Additionally, lion's mane mushrooms contain a compound called hericenone B , which may reduce the rate at which blood clots and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke²⁹ .

Lion's mane mushrooms appear to have multiple beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels , but human studies are needed to confirm this.

6. Helps manage diabetes symptoms

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body's ability to manage blood sugar levels is impaired. As a result, levels are consistently high.

Chronically high blood sugar eventually leads to complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, and vision loss.

Lion's mane mushroom may benefit diabetes management by improving blood sugar management and reducing some of these side effects.

Several animal studies have shown that lion's mane mushroom can cause significant lowering of blood sugar levels in normal and diabetic mice, even at daily doses as low as 2.7 milligrams per pound (6mg/kg) of body weight³⁰ ³¹ .

One way lion's mane lowers blood sugar is by blocking the activity of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase , which breaks down carbohydrates in the small intestine³².

When this enzyme is blocked, the body is unable to digest and absorb carbohydrates as efficiently as possible, resulting in low blood sugar levels.

Besides reducing blood sugar, lion's mane extract may reduce diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet .

In mice with nerve damage due to diabetes, daily administration of lion's mane extract for 6 weeks significantly reduced pain , lowered blood sugar levels and even increased antioxidant levels³³ .

Lion's mane mushroom shows potential as a therapeutic supplement for diabetes, but more research is needed to determine exactly how it might be used in humans.

7. May help fight cancer

Cancer occurs when DNA becomes damaged and cells divide and replicate uncontrollably.

Some research suggests that lion's mane mushroom has cancer-fighting capabilities due to several of its unique compounds³⁴ ³⁵ .

In fact, when lion's mane extract is mixed with human cancer cells in a test tube, it causes the cancer cells to die faster . This has been shown with several types of cancer cells, including liver, colon, stomach, and blood³⁶ ³⁷ ³⁸ ³⁹ .

In addition to killing cancer cells, lion's mane extract has also been shown to slow the spread of cancer .

A 2013 study in mice with colon cancer found that taking lion's mane extract reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%⁴⁰ .

Another 2014 study showed that lion's mane extract was more effective than traditional anticancer drugs at slowing tumor growth in mice, as well as having fewer side effects⁴¹ .

However, the anticancer effects of lion's mane mushroom have never been tested in humans, so further research is needed.

8. Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are considered the root causes of many modern diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders⁴² .

Research shows that lion's mane mushrooms contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help reduce the impact of these diseases⁴³ .

In fact, a 2012 study examining the antioxidant capacities of 14 different mushroom species found that lion's mane had the fourth highest antioxidant activity and recommended that it be considered a good dietary source of antioxidants⁴⁴ .

Several animal studies have shown that lion's mane extract reduces markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in rodents and may be particularly useful in the management of inflammatory bowel disease, liver injury, and stroke⁴⁵ ⁴⁶ ⁴⁷ .

Lion's mane mushrooms may also help reduce some of the health risks associated with obesity , as they have been shown to decrease the amount of inflammation released from fat tissue⁴⁸ .

Further studies are needed to determine potential benefits for human health, but results from laboratory and animal studies are promising.

9. Strengthen the immune system

A strong immune system protects the body from bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing pathogens. In contrast, a weakened immune system puts the body at a higher risk of developing infectious diseases.

Animal research shows that lion's mane mushroom may boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body against pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose⁴⁹ .

These effects may be partly due to beneficial changes in gut bacteria that boost the immune system⁵⁰ .

A 2012 study even showed that daily supplementation with lion's mane extract nearly quadrupled the lifespan of mice injected with a lethal dose of salmonella⁵¹ .

The immune-boosting effects of lion's mane mushrooms are very promising, but this area of research is still developing.

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