Your Second Brain
Experts call the gut our ‘second brain’ — and Lion’s Mane can keep it healthy.
2 minute read
Topics: Lion’s Mane, gut health, ulcers
Go with your gut (Hugh’s words)
Eat Better Forever by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Who knew gut-culture would be a thing? From the exploratory pages of National Geographic [1] to recipe books like ‘Eat Better Forever’, our microbiome is now held in high regard.
With over 100 million nerve cells, the gut is called the ‘second brain’ by some scientists.
The gut also has trillions of bacteria and fungi, collectively called a microbiome, which is thought to vastly influence disease, mood, behavior and even the way we think [2]. It goes without saying that what we put in our mouths affects the health of the microbiome.
Digression: our brains have a microbiome, too [3]. That’s big news for scientists who once considered the brain sterile. We think it’s still true for some ;)
Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane mushroom)
Lion’s Mane for gut health
Lion’s Mane has been investigated for the growth of good bacteria in the gut [4, 5].
Indeed various studies indicate protection from gastric ulcers [6, 7].
“Bioactive compounds present in the (Lion’s Mane) extract may play a major role in gastroprotective activity” [8].
Similarly suggestive is that Lion’s Mane can serve as a protective dietary nutrient against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [9].
Further studies revealed that the polysaccharides in HE (Lion’s Mane) extracts may play a prebiotic role… (HE) extracts could promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and improve the host immunity… which shows clinical potential in relieving IBD by regulating gut microbiota and immune system [10].
Giving Lion’s Mane a go
Gut problems are common and in many cases antacids or steroids are prescribed. These may temporarily help your symptoms but they might also hurt your gut in the long term.
By comparison, Lion’s Mane is a naturally occurring food. It is known to be very healthy, without side effects or toxicity. If you battle with gut problems, then you may want to consider trying Lion’s Mane. As always, please be sure to read the notes included below.
This is it
Moksha
Safety: Functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane are considered to be very safe, even in high quantities. However, if you have a mushroom allergy or auto-immune problems then you should seek advice from a medical practitioner.
Not all mushroom extracts are equal: Always look for high quality products. Consider Lion's Mane made with fruiting body, beta-glucan polysaccharides of 20-30% and mycelium-rich compounds. Beware high levels of fillers, starches and grains. While not harmful they are less beneficial.
Dosage: Generally, the recommended dosage is a minimum of 1g per day. A qualified practitioner will be able to advise on dosage for your circumstances. Everyday use is suggested as benefits are shown to correlate with regular consumption.
Disclaimer: The findings here are for your information but are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease and should not be interpreted as medical advice for you or others. Please consult a qualified medical practitioner for advice. The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Please remember: do not eat mushrooms unless you know they are safe to consume.
Sources
Microbes in your gut may be new recruits in the fight against viruses. April 2021. National Geographic.
The Brain-Gut Connection. John Hopkins Medicine.
Double-Edged. Amyloid beta protein protects brain from herpes infection by entrapping viral particles. July 2018. Harvard Medical School.
What are the benefits of lion's mane mushrooms? Medical News Today
Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study. Xiao-Qian Xie, Yan Geng, Qijie Guan, Yilin Ren, Lin Guo, Qiqi Lv, Zhen-Ming Lu, Jin-Song Shi, Zheng-Hong Xu. March 2021. Nutrients.
Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of Polysaccharide Fraction Isolated from Mycelium Culture of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus. Mingxing Wang, Tetsuya Konishi, Yang Gao, Duoduo Xu, Qipin Gao. 2015. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ethanol Extract of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes), in Mice with Ulcerative Colitis. Mingming Qin, Yan Geng, Zhenming Lu, Hongyu Xu, Jin-Song Shi, Xin Xu, Zheng-Hong Xu. 2016. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.
Gastroprotective Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract against Ethanol-Induced Ulcer in Rats. Jing-Yang Wong, Mahmood Ameen Abdulla, Jegadeesh Raman, Chia-Wei Phan, Umah Rani Kuppusamy, Shahram Golbabapour, Vikineswary Sabaratnam. November 2013. Evidence based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Polysaccharide of Hericium erinaceus attenuates colitis in C57BL/6 mice via regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation-related signaling pathways and modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Yilin Ren, Yan Geng, Yan Du, Wang Li, Zhen-Ming Lu, Hong-Yu Xu, Guo-Hua Xu, Jin-Song Shi, Zheng-Hong Xu. July 2018. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
Extracts from Hericium erinaceus relieve inflammatory bowel disease by regulating immunity and gut microbiota. Chen Diling, Yang Xin, Zheng Chaoqun, Yang Jian, Tang Xiaocui, Chen Jun, Shuai Ou, Xie Yizhen. September 2017. Oncotarget.