Lion’s Mane: natural support and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

2 September 2024

How Lion's Mane Mushroom Improves the Condition in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide. Alzheimer's gradually destroys brain cells, impairing memory, thinking skills, and behavior. Unfortunately, this disease remains incurable to this day.

It is well known that Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has long been used in traditional Eastern medicine to improve cognitive functions. The main active compounds in this mushroom, such as hericenones and erinacines, stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is critical for neuronal health. NGF promotes the differentiation and survival of nerve cells, which is particularly important in Alzheimer's disease, characterized by the destruction of cholinergic neurons in the brain.

Read more about the properties of this mushroom in the article: Properties of Lion’s Mane mushroom

Recent studies have shown that consuming Lion's Mane Mushroom in Alzheimer's disease promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells, improves cognitive functions, memory, and learning ability.

Scientific studies on the effectiveness of Lion’s Mane

The first study was conducted in 2009 in Japan by scientists from the Hokuto Corporation Mushroom Laboratory (Mori K. et al., Phytother. Res. 23, 367–372 (2009), doi: 10.1002/ptr.2634). It involved men and women aged 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairments. Over 16 weeks, participants took tablets containing Lion's Mane Mushroom powder or a placebo. The study showed that the group taking Lion's Mane demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive functions, particularly at 8, 12, and 16 weeks, compared to the placebo group. Cognitive function scores improved by 5-10% on the specially developed Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R). For example, at week 16, 71.4% of participants in the Lion's Mane group showed significant improvement, compared to only 6.7% in the placebo group. No serious side effects were observed following the intake of Lion's Mane Mushroom.

The second study was conducted in Taiwan in 2020 by a team from the Biotech Research Institute, Grape King Bio Ltd (Li IC et al., Front. Aging Neurosci., 03 June 2020, doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155). This study focused on evaluating improvements in cognitive functions and other health indicators in people with early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Participants took Lion's Mane Mushroom extract for one year. The study results showed that in the group receiving the mushroom extract, memory levels improved by 11% compared to baseline, anxiety levels decreased by 18%, and sleep quality improved by 13%, which is significant for people with cognitive impairments. Importantly, no serious side effects were found during the study.

Learn more about other beneficial properties of Lion’s Mane in the article: Lion’s Mane – the mushroom of longevity!

These studies confirm that Lion's Mane Mushroom can be an effective means for improving cognitive functions and preventing Alzheimer's disease. Consuming this mushroom may help reduce the risk of developing the disease and alleviate its symptoms.

If you want to improve and maintain your brain health naturally, it's worth considering Lion's Mane Mushroom.

Also read about the effects of Lion’s Mane on the cardiovascular system: Lion’s Mane in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol

Take care of yourself and your loved ones, and stay healthy!

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

Order high-quality Lion’s Mane extracts on our website and receive personalized recommendations — we’ll select the right form and dosage to suit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lion’s Mane

1. What is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible and medicinal mushroom known for its neuroprotective properties and its ability to stimulate nerve cell growth.

2. How does Lion’s Mane help with Alzheimer’s disease?

The mushroom’s active compounds, such as hericenones and erinacines, stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), promoting neuron regeneration and protection, and improving cognitive function.

3. Is there scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Lion’s Mane?

Yes, studies in Japan (2009) and Taiwan (2020) showed improvements in cognitive function in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease after taking the mushroom extract.