Could a mushroom treat Alzheimer's?
In the ongoing search to find a cure to Alzheimer's, researchers often look to synthetic drugs such as aducanumab and lecanemab. However, as a result of this hunt, researchers have recently come across an unusual, all-natural, and edible breakthrough that has been co-existing alongside us for thousands of years -- Lion's Mane.
What is Lion’s Mane?
Lion's Mane is an edible mushroom native to Asia, North America, and Europe [1]. Its name comes from the long strands that grow off of its body, resembling the mane of a lion. Originally cultivated in China, it was used for centuries for medicinal purposes, mainly for strengthening the gut and spleen [2]. Now, the supply for Lion's Mane is quite scarce, with it being considered at-risk or endangered in many European countries [3]. Despite this, Lion's Mane has become trending among the public for consumption, either through supplements or as an ingredient in cooking.
How could Lion's Mane help with Alzheimer's?
Due to its unique properties, Lion's Mane has become a popular subject for numerous research studies, most notably about seeing if it has positive cognitive effects on its users. One study shows that Lion's Mane is able to promote neurite outgrowth in the brain, spinal cord, and retinal cells, which essentially means that neurons were stimulated to form connections and networks under the use of Lion's Mane [4]. Another study shows that subjects who took Lion's Mane supplements three times a day for 16 weeks showed significant increases in cognitive performance compared to those who were given a placebo [5]. Lion's Mane has also showed potential in remedying other diseases, most notably cancer. One study found that a molecule found in Lion's Mane was able to trigger pre-cancerous gastric cells to self-destruct, a discover which could prove to help the fight against the ongoing fight against cancer, much like the one against Alzheimer's [6].
Are there drawbacks to using Lion's Mane?
As with any consumable, allergies are possible, which could cause swelling of the throat and tongue, and difficulty breathing, especially to those with asthma or other respiratory conditions [7]. Therefore, you should not consume Lion's Mane if you know you have an allergy to it or other mushrooms. Some people have also complained of stomach discomfort, nausea, and rashes after consuming Lion's Mane [8]. Lion's Mane could mildly inhibit blood clotting, which increases the risk of bruising and complications in surgery [9]. Additionally, although Lion's Mane has provided promising effects for those with Alzheimer's and other diseases, it has not been proven as a certified cure or remedy for these diseases, so it should not be used as a replacement for professional medical help.
Overall, Lion's Manes provides an excellent example of how taking a step back from the synthetic world and instead looking to nature can provide us with surprising results. Even though its still at its infant stages in terms of research and development, over time, it could end up bringing us one step closer to the fight against Alzheimer's, along with its other various uses. So whether its through medicinal, supplemental, or even ingredient form, Lion's Mane could be worth a try next time you're looking for something new to try.
Resources
https://fungi.com/blogs/articles/lions-mane-mushroom-benefits
https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,343363596ed9bda8,45484d446fc46878.html
https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,2dab30ba797125f4,30181a9427a1f563.html
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1536/lions-mane-mushroom
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