By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
This week I was asked an interesting drug information question about the mushroom known as Lion’s Mane and its related health benefits. The first thing that came to my mind was the movie Secondhand Lions. Not sure why!
The movie was released in 2003 in the comedy-drama genre and starred Robert Duvall. Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment, and Kyra Sedgwick. Haley Joel Osment had the role of the 14-year-old Walter who is left for the summer with his great uncles. It is rumored that the uncles have a secret fortune and are targets for traveling salesmen and relatives looking for money. The uncles are often seen sitting on their porch with shotguns.
The uncles order a lion, which ends up being a retired circus lioness. The lioness is released by accident and takes to the cornfield. The lioness defends Walter when he is attacked by his mother’s boyfriend. The uncles pass away 17 years later in a flying stunt in their biplane. The story is very intriguing as Walter starts to trust his great uncles and ultimately lives with them.
So back to the question. Is there benefit in natural supplements containing Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s Mane is the North American name for the edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus belonging to the tooth fungus group. The mushroom is well known in China and Japan as a natural remedy. In China, the mushroom is known as Hou Tou Gu or Monkey’s Head Mushroom. Yamabushitake is the name used in Japan.
The mushroom has long spines coming from the body or fruit of the mushroom. The spines resemble the mane of a lion. The mushroom likes to grow on dead hardwoods such as oak trees. The mushroom can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The mushroom is rich in vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3) and the essential minerals of manganese, zinc, and potassium. Besides being a medicinal supplement, it is used extensively in cooking especially in China. I found an interesting recipe for Lion’s Mane crab cakes. So why is it more readily available in the United States as capsules and tablets than a food ingredient?
The internet has numerous claims for benefits of the mushroom including one site proclaiming 9 health benefits. The claims include uses for Alzheimer’s disease, depression and anxiety, nervous system injuries, digestive ulcers, reducing heart disease, managing diabetes, fighting cancer, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system.
Numerous studies have been completed in China evaluating the benefits and components of the mushroom, but the majority are in cells, tissues, test tubes, or animals. Most of the studies have been done in mice or rat models. The studies have been ongoing for 20 years. Tissue and animal studies have shown benefit to some of the claims noted above with a rare human study evaluating treatment.
One human study evaluated the use of Lion’s Mane in chronic atrophic gastritis (inflammation of the lining and the loss of functional cells). The study found positive benefits believed to be related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the mushroom. A very small study evaluated 7 patients with mild cognitive impairment who were given 5 grams (about 1/5 of an ounce) of Hericium erinaceus daily in soup. Six of the 7 patients showed improvement in cognition based on a Functional Independence Score. The study was small with no control group.
A second study evaluated 30 patients with mild dementia with half getting Lion’s Mane and the other half getting a placebo pill. The patients ranged in age from 50 to 80 years old. Each person in the treatment group received 3 grams daily of the mushroom in a tablet formulation. The study lasted for 16 weeks and showed an improvement in the mushroom group versus no active treatment. The beneficial effects lasted up to 4 weeks after the study ended and then their memories started to decline again. This study was also very small and not an extended time frame.
The early human studies have been small and not as rigorous as dementia studies need to be for a drug submitted to the FDA for approval. The studies lay the groundwork for future investigations.
Lion’s Mane has some reported side effects including stomach pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and skin rash. The mushroom may have components that can interact with some common prescription medications including warfarin (Coumadin) for blood clots.
When evaluating available products to buy, there are some concerns. Many of the products with Hericium erinaceus contain other ingredients and herbal supplements that are either not effective or have significant side effects. Some of the products contain 500 milligrams of the mushroom, which means the dose to match the human study would require 6 capsules per day. Many of these products do not provide the source of the mushroom or how it was processed. The products are expensive.
Before you try the roar of the lion, consult with your healthcare professional to make sure this is a good choice and will not interact with your other medications.
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