Lion s Mane: The Mushroom Of The Moment


What can you find within the produce section of some grocery stores, the supplement aisle, in sure types of espresso, on the menu at your native restaurant, and perhaps even on a log in your backyard? For those who guessed lion’s mane mushrooms, then you’re hip to one in all the latest meals traits. Paul Stamets, who has written six books about mushrooms, Mind Guard brain booster sells mushroom-based mostly supplements, and has a 2008 TED Talk known as "6 Ways Mushrooms Can Save the World." He also appears within the 2019 documentary Fantastic Fungi. The marketplace for mushrooms for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other functions is thriving, too. We spoke with Stamets and other specialists about lion’s mane’s popularity, its historical past as a medicinal food, and its makes use of at present. What Are Lion's Mane Mushrooms? Appearance: While lion’s mane is often referred to as one mushroom, there are three completely different species. Hericium erinaceus is the mostly offered, and it looks kind of like a white pom-pom.



Taste and texture: When it comes to flavor, texture, and nutritional content, contemporary lion’s mane mushrooms might be an exquisite addition to meals. Alan Bergo, a forager and chef based in Minnesota. Mineral content material: "Similar to different mushrooms, lion’s mane mushrooms are an excellent supply of sure important minerals comparable to potassium, zinc, and manganese and several other B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin," says Amy Keating, RD, a nutritionist at Consumer Reports. Use in supplements: You may as well get your lion’s mane fix as powders, which you can add to beverages corresponding to espresso; in capsules; and in gummies. Some supplements are made from extracts from the fruiting physique (the part that grows above ground), whereas others are from the mycelium (the foundation-like structure that grows below floor and is instrumental in supporting the ecosystem). Many of these supplements claim to supply Mind Guard brain booster and nerve assist. Preliminary research has suggested that consuming lion’s mane mushrooms could also be linked to raised brain support supplement health and reduced symptoms of depression.



In research in rodents, the mushrooms have also promoted longevity and protected against gastric ulcers. But research in people is limited and more study is needed to determine the potential well being advantages for folks. While lion’s mane mushrooms aren’t used in standard medication-and aren’t a replacement for typical medical treatments-some nutritionists suggest them as a complement to extra conventional treatments. Janet Zarowitz, MS, RD, CDN. She advises anyone occupied with taking a supplement to test with a physician first. In terms of unintended effects, Janet Zand, an Austin-based mostly physician of traditional Chinese drugs, counsels her patients to stop taking lion’s mane supplements no less than two weeks previous to surgical procedure. Two small studies-one on rodents and one in vitro-recommend that lion’s mane might thin the blood, thereby impeding blood clotting. Lack of definitive research hasn’t stopped the proliferation of lion’s mane on the supplements market. Alongside Host Defense, the supplement model bought by Stamets, many manufacturers have emerged, but not all are created equal.



If you’re all for buying lion’s mane supplements, these tips can provide help to navigate your choices. Identify authentic products. On Amazon, we found lion’s mane mushroom supplements in capsule, powder, and even gummy form that value $15 to $53-though of course the value per unit, or per ounce, varies. But when procuring on Amazon, Mind Guard brain booster it’s essential to make sure that you’re buying from the producer, and not a third occasion. You’re extra more likely to encounter counterfeit products when buying by way of a 3rd occasion than when buying the model straight, and in the case of supplements that may very well be particularly harmful. To make certain that you’re getting the appropriate product, it’s higher to go on to the manufacturer’s web site memory and focus supplement buy from there. Search for a third-celebration seal. Zarowitz, the nutritionist. Look for a seal from a reputable third party, like U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). For more information on third-occasion seals, learn the way to decide on supplements properly. Buy organic. If you’re on a complement manufacturer’s web site, read up on how the company makes its product.



Where does it get the mushrooms? Is the product certified organic? Because sure heavy metals may be current in soil, some certified natural merchandise might include as a lot heavy metallic contamination as typical merchandise. Still, it’s important to buy certified natural mushrooms to keep away from different contaminants, reminiscent of pesticides. To keep away from contaminants, Stamets recommends that shoppers make sure that the mushrooms they’re getting aren’t coming from China. Depending on your location, lion’s mane may be found at shops similar to Whole Foods and Wegman’s, on Fresh Direct, and at some specialty Asian markets. Take into account that lion’s mane is a specialty item, so you might pay upward of $10 per pound of mushrooms. Lion’s mane, like different kinds of mushrooms, are also a great meat analogy, meaning that in terms of texture and taste, it can be a terrific substitute for meat in a dish. Keep in mind guard brain health supplement, however, that nutritionally, mushrooms are much decrease in protein than meat, so you could need to pair them with a plant-primarily based protein source.