Anticancer Foods: Lion's Mane Mushrooms Uses & Benefits
Are you looking for a natural way to boost your brain function and memory? Look no further than Lion's Mane mushrooms! These unique fungi have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and are now gaining popularity in the West as a cognitive enhancer. With their fluffy white appearance and nutty flavor, Lion's Mane mushrooms are not only beneficial for your brain but also delicious in a variety of dishes.
What Are Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?
Lion's Mane mushroom is a type of edible fungus that is native to Asia, North America, and Europe. It is known for its unique appearance, with long, shaggy white spines that resemble a lion's mane, hence its name.
Lion's Mane mushrooms are often used in traditional Chinese medicine for their potential health benefits, such as improving brain function and reducing inflammation. They are also becoming popular in the West as a superfood due to their high nutrient content.
How Are Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Used?
Lion's Mane mushrooms have been traditionally used in Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea for centuries, both as a food and as a medicinal ingredient. They are typically added to soups, stews, and stir-fries, and are often used in vegetarian and vegan dishes as a meat substitute due to their meaty texture. In traditional Chinese medicine,
Lion's Mane mushrooms are believed to have a range of health benefits, such as promoting digestive health, reducing inflammation, and improving cognitive function. In recent years, Lion's Mane mushrooms have become increasingly popular in the West, with many people using them in various recipes, including smoothies, teas, and supplements. They are also commonly found in health food stores and online retailers.
What Are The Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?
Studies suggest that Lion's Mane mushrooms have several scientifically proven health benefits. For instance, a 2019 review published in the journal Foods found that Lion's Mane mushrooms may help improve cognitive function, particularly in people with mild cognitive impairment.
Another study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms in 2017 showed that Lion's Mane mushrooms may have neuroprotective effects, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Additionally, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that Lion's Mane mushrooms may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Other potential benefits of Lion's Mane mushrooms include improved digestion, reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, and enhanced immune function.
What Makes Lion’s Mane Mushrooms An Anti-Cancer Food?
There is growing interest in the potential anti-cancer properties of Lion's Mane mushrooms. Some studies suggest that certain compounds found in these mushrooms may have anti-tumor effects, although more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action.
One study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2009 found that a polysaccharide extracted from Lion's Mane mushrooms was able to inhibit the growth of leukemia cells in vitro.
Another study published in the same journal in 2011 showed that an extract from Lion's Mane mushrooms had anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects in mice with colon cancer.
A 2015 review published in the journal Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology concluded that Lion's Mane mushrooms may have potential as a complementary therapy for cancer due to their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. However, more human studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosage and mode of administration.
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30609817/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21929333/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405452620302914
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5220329/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769702/
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