The Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s Mane medicinal mushrooms are a distinctive and easily recognisable fungi, as it resembles the impressive mane of a lion, although white in colour. This nutritious mushroom is roughly 20 percent protein, and one of the few that can taste like lobster or prawn. Originally from Asia, these mushrooms typically grow on the trunks of old conifer trees, displaying their impressive fruiting bodies.

Lion’s mane mushrooms are increasingly studied for their neuroprotective effects, such as the two novel classes of Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs) — molecules stimulating the differentiation and re-myelination of neurons — that have been discovered in this mushroom so far. These cyathane derivatives are termed “hericenones” and “erinacines.” The levels of these compounds can vary substantially between strains, and studies have shown that these hericenones and erinacines stimulate nerve regeneration.

Historically the Lion’s Mane mushroom was reserved only for the Royals due to its delicious delicate taste and impressive health benefits. The medicinal mushroom has been shown to possess neurotrophic factors which are defined as endogenous soluble proteins regulating survival, growth, morphological plasticity and synthesis, or synthesis of proteins for differentiated functions of neurons. In other words, it’s highly beneficial for brain and nerve cells and has been shown to assist in improving cognitive function, aid in depression and anxiety and provide preventative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients.

The many benefits of medicinal mushrooms make them such a superfood powerhouse that can add varied health benefits to any individual who consumes them. However, availability and culinary skills have driven the nutraceuticals industry to develop products that extract the benefits into tablet, powder and liquid forms for convenience and bioavailability of active compounds.

The Life Cykel’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom Liquid has both the mushroom fruiting bodies and the mycelium in their extraction process to create a well-rounded, high quality product. All of the Double Liquid Extracts are infused with Australian native Kakadu Plum, known to have the highest recorded level of natural vitamin C than any other fruit in the world. Get your hands on this amazing product now, stocked in the Key Nutrition Shop.