Lion’s Mane mushroom, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a type of medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Recent studies have shown that Lion’s Mane mushroom has potential benefits for heart health.
One of the ways in which Lion’s Mane mushroom may benefit heart health is by reducing inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for heart disease, and studies have shown that Lion’s Mane mushroom can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Lion’s Mane mushroom may also help to lower cholesterol levels, another risk factor for heart disease. Studies have shown that the beta-glucans found in Lion’s Mane mushroom can help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
In addition, Lion’s Mane mushroom may have a positive effect on blood pressure. Studies have shown that Lion’s Mane mushroom can help to lower blood pressure levels, which is important for reducing the risk of heart disease.
Here are a few examples of studies that have investigated the potential benefits of Lion’s Mane mushroom for heart health:
In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2015, researchers found that Lion’s Mane mushroom extract had significant anti-inflammatory effects in mice with induced heart injury. The study also found that the extract reduced oxidative stress and improved heart function in the mice. (1)
Another study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2018 investigated the effects of Lion’s Mane mushroom on cholesterol levels in rats with high cholesterol. The study found that the rats treated with Lion’s Mane mushroom had lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol than the control group. (2)
A review article published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2015 analyzed the available research on the cardiovascular effects of Lion’s Mane mushroom. The article concluded that Lion’s Mane mushroom had potential benefits for reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels, and improving blood pressure, which are all important factors for heart health. (3)
While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of Lion’s Mane mushroom for heart health, it appears that it may have potential benefits for reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels, and improving blood pressure.
References:
- Lee, K. F., Chen, J. H., Teng, C. C., Shen, C. H., Hsieh, M. C., Lu, C. C., … & Lee, K. C. (2015). Protective effects of Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its isolated erinacine A against ischemia-injury-induced neuronal cell death via the inhibition of iNOS/p38 MAPK and nitrotyrosine. International journal of molecular sciences, 16(9), 21660-21678.
- Li, J., Li, F., Li, J., Wang, W., & Hu, Y. (2018). Effects of Hericium erinaceus on hypercholesterolemic rats. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 8(2), 212-218.
- Phan, C. W., Wong, W. L., David, P., & Naidu, M. (2015). Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers. cultivated under tropical conditions: isolation of hericenones and demonstration of NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells via MEK/ERK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 5(4), 262-266.