Lion’s mane — natural support for the gastrointestinal tract

21 February 2025

Lion’s Mane: Natural Support for the Stomach and Intestines

The modern lifestyle, constant stress, poor diet, and exposure to harmful substances lead to numerous disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Stress stimulates cortisol production, which causes an imbalance in the digestive system, reduces the production of protective mucus, and increases inflammation in the stomach lining. These processes can lead to the development of gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and other chronic conditions.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is well known for its beneficial effects on the nervous system, and numerous studies also confirm its effectiveness in supporting gastrointestinal health. The mushroom helps reduce inflammation, regulate stomach acidity, restore the mucosal lining, and improve gut microbiota balance. Lion’s Mane contains many beneficial compounds, including polysaccharides, erinacines, hericenones, and other bioactive substances that protect the stomach and intestines from damage caused by various factors.

Learn more: A healthy gut is the key to a strong immune system!

A recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology (Gravina AG, 2023, PMID: 37346156) confirmed the positive effects of Lion’s Mane on GIT health. Scientists found that this mushroom promotes the regeneration of the gastric mucosa, reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and normalizes gastric juice secretion.

Lion’s Mane contains unique bioactive compounds that affect the GIT in several ways:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) by 40–50% (Wang XY, 2018).
Stimulates the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, which helps reduce inflammation in the stomach and intestines.

2. Protection and Restoration of the Gastric Mucosa

Consuming Lion’s Mane extract increases protective mucus secretion by 45% (Wang M, 2017).
Increases prostaglandin PGE2 levels, which strengthens the stomach’s barrier function.

3. Antioxidant Effects

Lion’s Mane activates antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which neutralize harmful free radicals (Ren J, 2020).
Reduces levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress.

4. Improvement of Gut Microbiota

Lion’s Mane polysaccharides stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, while reducing pathogenic microorganisms.
Regular consumption of the mushroom promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which enhance gut wall integrity and reduce inflammation.

5. Antibacterial Action Against Helicobacter pylori

Studies show that Lion’s Mane extracts can inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, the primary cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers (Liu J, 2016).

6. Protection Against Colorectal and Stomach Cancer

Lion’s Mane polysaccharides halt the growth of colon cancer cells by blocking the cell cycle in the S-phase (where DNA replication occurs) (Liu et al, 2020).
Erinacines A and S, the mushroom’s active compounds, have demonstrated the ability to induce apoptosis (cell death) in stomach and colon cancer cells by affecting key signaling pathways.
Studies confirm that Lion’s Mane extracts enhance the production of pro-apoptotic proteins, which promote the destruction of cancer cells.

Lion’s Mane reduces the risk of gastrointestinal diseases (a group of disorders affecting the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas). Research highlights the mushroom’s potential in lowering inflammation and protecting the GIT from stress-induced damage, particularly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Lion’s Mane helps alleviate pain in gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome while promoting faster healing of stomach ulcers. It also normalizes stomach acid levels and improves enzyme production, making digestion easier.

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Lion’s Mane Has Proven Effective in GIT Conditions:

Gastritis and Peptic Ulcers: Mushroom consumption reduced ulcer formation by 40–60%, depending on the study model (Wang et al., 2018).
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease): In experimental mouse models, inflammation decreased by 30–50%, with improved gut microbiota balance (Diling et al., 2017).
Chronic Atrophic Gastritis: A study by Wang et al. (2015) found that Lion’s Mane extract improved gastric mucosa health in 81% of patients in a double-blind clinical trial.
Helicobacter pylori Infection: Due to its antibacterial properties, laboratory experiments showed a 95% reduction in H. pylori levels (Shang et al., 2013).

With its gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and microbiome-modulating properties, Lion’s Mane provides significant therapeutic benefits for GIT health. Studies confirm that Lion’s Mane effectively reduces gastritis, ulcer formation, and inflammatory processes in the stomach and intestines. This mushroom can be a great alternative or complement to traditional treatments and can also be used for preventive care.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about Lion’s Mane

1. What are the main benefits of Lion’s Mane for the gastrointestinal tract?

Lion’s Mane has anti-inflammatory properties, supports the regeneration of the stomach lining, improves gut microbiota, and protects against harmful bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori.