Hericium Mushroom (Lion’s Mane) ; 10 Benefits for Athletes and Muscle Growth !

Hericium Mushroom: everything you need to know about lion’s mane (Hericium Mushroom)

Don’t be surprised if you see a beard-like fungus similar to a lion’s white mane on the trunk of a rotten beech or oak tree; This mushroom is known as Hercium and grows in the forests of North America, Asia and Europe. Hercium mushroom is known by different names in different parts of the world;

Such as lion’s mane, old man’s beard, bearded mushroom or Pam Pam mushroom.

It is interesting to know that this famous mushroom is very tasty and at the same time has unique medicinal properties .lion’s mane contains essential amino acids, and even if you are a vegetarian and thinking about palnt protein or protein for vegetarians and vegans, it is better to know more about this mushroom.

Stay with us in the rest of this article.

What is Hercium Mushroom (Lion’s Mane Mushroom) ?

The lion’s mane mushroom has a long history of medicinal and culinary use in Asia and Europe. According to studies, the use of medicinal mushrooms dates back to 450 BC, when the Greek physician Hippocrates was investigating the potential anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms and discovered the role of this type of mushroom in eliminating inflammation and ulcers.

Hericium grows on the trunks of old or dead broadleaf trees.

This mushroom consists of two parts: the body and the mycelium, which is the lower structure similar to the root. Both the stem and the root-like mycelium contain compounds that have potential health benefits.
In addition to being edible, lion’s mane has medicinal properties and can be used to treat many diseases.

This mushroom contains various types of mineral salts such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, etc., all of which are obtained from the original elements of the forest for its growth.

Hericium mushroom at a Glance

Advantages of Lion’s Mane Muschroom

The benefits of Hercium mushroom are many and include physical, cognitive and mental health. Mushrooms are a source of natural bioactive compounds that play a health-promoting role. As a result, it shows properties such as preventing disease, such as anti-cancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Research has also shown that hrysium may protect nerves from disease or degeneration. Other benefits of this mushroom include the following:

1. Regulates blood sugar
2. Reduces high blood pressure
3. It improves the level of useful energy and fights fatigue
4. Prevents excessive accumulation of blood fat
5. Protects heart health
6. It slows down the biological aging process
7. Protects liver health
8. Protects kidney health
9. Strengthens the body’s immune system
10. Reduces inflammation associated with depression

Hericium mushroom for Alzheimer’s

One of the benefits of using this mushroom is to improve brain function in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Research has shown that herrisin and erinacin protect against nerve growth factor. This signaling substance is actually responsible for taking care of nerve cells and supports neurotransmitters.

Lion’s mane and its unique effect on the brain

Hericium is one of the best mushrooms to help the brain. For example, if you need to focus, this mushroom can be very useful. lion’s mane strengthens the mind and reduces anxiety and stress. In addition, by strengthening the mood in a natural way, it strengthens the property of flexibility in you.

The hippocampus is a part of the brain that is responsible for storing and producing memories and is considered a learning center. In studies, it has been stated that the levels of nerve growth factor in the hippocampus increase and improve memory after the consumption of lion’s mane mushroom.

Lion’s mane is a good alternative for treating depression

Hericium mushroom may be an alternative treatment for depression, according to research. This mushroom may reduce the symptoms of depression in the following ways:

1. Helps ensure adequate neurotransmitters are present
2. Reduces neural growth caused by stressful times
3. Minimizes inflammation associated with depression
4. In addition, these studies showed that people with acute depressive disorder can have a lower nerve growth factor than people who do not have depression. Nerve growth factor helps nerve cells to grow and stay healthy, and it is considered one of the important reasons for mood regulation, and lion’s mane increases this factor.

The benefits of Hericium for the liver

The results of laboratory studies from a reliable source have shown that lion’s mane extract has therapeutic potential against liver and digestive diseases. A trusted source showed using animal models that this mushroom extract may fight liver, colon and stomach cancer cells. These findings are promising, but it cannot be confirmed at this time that the same effects will apply in other people.

The effect of Hericium mushroom on MS disease

The lion’s mane mushroom improves myelination processes in the nervous system and is also known to be beneficial for patients with MS. This mushroom has an anti-inflammatory effect in the brain, so it fights against inflammation in the immune system.
Researchers have found that Hericium positively regulates the TH1 and TH2 immune responses in the central nervous system. With the help of lion’s mane, the disease process usually slows down, and the affected people will notice the reduction of symptoms when taking Hericium

Hericium for Athletes

Lion’s mane is considered one of the best natural muscle builders.

This mushroom has all seven essential amino acids and eight non-essential amino acids, all of which are very important for increasing muscles. In addition, Hericium mushroom increases muscular endurance.

This mushroom is considered an excellent source of vegetable protein and on average, every 100 grams of dry mane has about 20 to 25 grams of protein.

What Vitamins does Lion’s Mane contain ?

As you know, vitamins are one of the important constituents of Hercium mushroom. Hericium contains vitamins E, A, C, D2, D3, group B vitamins such as B5, etc., which is known as one of the most essential antioxidants for the human body. Receiving these antioxidants for the body compensates for the lack of substances and also strengthens the body’s immune system.
This mushroom is a source of natural and organic fibers, lipids, and chemical compounds that cannot be found in concentrated form in other foods. Amino acids, polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, beta-glucan, sialic acid, dismutase, superoxide, etc.

are only examples of these special compounds in this mushroom. Each of these compounds is hard to find in other food.

Medicinal edible mushrooms such as Hericium contain all the useful substances.

Types of Hericium used in the market

Mushrooms can be used in different forms. If a person does not want to consume the cooked type of mushroom, then he can consume it in the form of dried, powdered or tablet.

Methods of Consumption

What you need to know about the consumption of Hericium mushroom is that this mushroom cannot be consumed raw. In fact, the way to eat lion’s mane is only by cooking it. Another way to consume mushrooms is to use them with some drinks such as coffee. Hericium can be used along with various food products that are consumed daily or in the form of cinnamon with food, which, of course, has a very good and pleasant taste. The antioxidants of this mushroom prevent the body from absorbing free radicals and small toxins in the polluted air.

The best time to consume Lion’s mane

If taken in the morning, it is better to stimulate brain function throughout the day.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder Supplement

One of the best ways to use Hercium mushroom is as a food supplement, which is used in the form of powder or oral capsules. This supplement contains mushroom extract and contains all the minerals and vitamins in it.

Complications of taking Hericium

Until now, during any research regarding the side effects of this mushroom on humans, no special side effects and risks have been reported.

It seems that the use of this mushroom will not cause a problem for people’s health. However, some people may be allergic to mushrooms and in this situation it is necessary to avoid using lion’s mane .

In some limited cases, people have developed side effects such as shortness of breath or skin rash after consuming this mushroom due to their sensitivity to it.

last word

Hericium or lion’s mane mushrooms are white, large and hairy mushrooms that turn into a beard when growing. This substance contains bioactive substances that have a very beneficial effect on the body, especially the heart, brain and intestines.

On the other hand, for athletes, it is an excellent source of plant Protein and suitable for Muscle building.

lion’s mane has edible and medicinal uses and can be used in different ways. In this article, we talked with you about Hericium, its benefits, possible side effects, and how to use it. Knowing this information, you can include this useful and delicious mushroom in your diet.

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