Compound In “Magic” Lion’s Mane Mushroom Lowers Alzheimer’sRisk By 33%

For years, scientists insisted you couldn’t grow new brain cells — a process known as neurogenesis — as you age.

But that was the old science.

Then researchers discovered that new brain cells can grow well into old age, but the process happens at a much slower pace.

Most conventional doctors still believe this — and insist that the loss in cognitive function experienced by many aging adults is just a natural consequence of getting older.

But that’s not true either.

The truth is that the average brain contains about 100 billion brain cells, many of which were formed before birth...

And with the right dietary ingredients, you can continue to make new brain cells throughout your entire life.

Today, I’m going to talk to you about a unique mushroom that boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF.

This signaling protein and nerve growth factor supports the growth, function, and survival of brain cells — and your brain can’t generate new neurons or make new connections between these brain cells without it.^1,2

And higher BDNF actively lowers Alzheimer’s risk by 33%.³

That’s huge. Because when I ask my patients what they’re most worried about, Alzheimer’s is usually top of the list. It’s not surprising because losing your memory, your mind, and your sense of self is terrifying — not only for you, but for everyone in your life.

And it’s clear that Americans are facing threats to their memories like never before.

Today, more than 6 million Americans are already living with the cognitive disorder, with that number expected to explode to nearly 13 million by 2050.⁴

Another study predicts that about 40% of adults will experience some form of memory loss by the time they turn 65.⁵

These are frightening statistics. But you can take proactive steps to avoid that fate.

In this article, you will learn how the BDNF in Lion’s Mane can prevent, fight, and even reverse Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This simple, safe food can sharpen your thoughts, refresh your memory, and power up your brain.

As you get older, everything slows down. But it’s not due to aging. It’s because of a lifetime accumulation of free radicals and inflammation that affect your brain cells and blood flow.

Add to that outside forces that drain your brain, memory thieves like:⁶

All of that adds up over time, making it harder for your brain cells to survive and thrive. That’s why nature gave us an antidote...one that counteracts everything from free radicals to inflammation to unavoidable threats.

I’m talking about a strange-looking mushroom, one that you may never have heard of. But one that you’ll want to make a definite part of your life from now on.

For more than 2,000 years, Hericium erinaceus — better known as Lion’s Mane mushroom — has kept people younger, sharper, and more vital. These frilly, cream-colored fungi that resemble a lion’s mane have been used by traditional Asian healers for generations to restore and strengthen qi, or life force.

Of course, Big Pharma doesn’t want me to tell you about this because it’ll cut into their profits. But that’s never stopped me from bringing you the truth and it never will.

Lion’s Mane contains unique active compounds that Big Pharma just can’t copy. Luckily, you don’t need an expensive copycat drug when you can use the real thing. And this mushroom is nothing short of a miracle when it comes to brain health...

You see, it can spark the production of healthy new brain cells. Breakthrough research has found that Lion’s Mane stimulates brain cell creation and growth, replacing old, damaged brain cells and rebooting your brain power.

Two key compounds in the mushroom, hericenones and erinacines, stimulate the production of BDNF — brain-derived neurotrophic factor — a key compound when it comes to avoiding cognitive decline.

BDNF thrives in the hippocampus, the cortex, and the basal forebrain, which are the areas vital for memory, learning, and higher cognitive functions.

It enhances and improves the growth and health of nearly every brain function and type of brain cell, including:

BDNF is like oxygen for your brain. It’s a vital signaling molecule that stimulates “neural plasticity,” the brain’s ability to enhance nerve function in response to new challenges.

BDNF levels naturally decline with age, just as Alzheimer’s becomes a major threat. And a shortage of this compound makes it harder for your brain to move memories from short-term to long-term storage.

There’s plenty of research proving that Lion’s Mane can keep your brain clear and sharp, and even restore clarity if things have started getting fuzzy. This science backs up thousands of years of medicinal use from around the world.

First, animal and lab studies proved beyond doubt that Lion’s Mane could positively affect Alzheimer’s disease. The research shows that giving Lion’s Mane to mice with Alzheimer’s disease increased their NGF and brain cell production. It also improved their recognition memory, reduced brain inflammation and oxidative stress, and decreased anxiety in mouse with Alzheimer’s.^7,8,9,10

But where the brain-boosting powers of Lion’s Mane really shine is in HUMAN clinical trials..

Boosting memory, cognition, and performance in healthy adults... Improving clarity, memory, and quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s and dementia... Preventing decline and reversing it... These are remarkable brain benefits.

But incredibly, they’re just the beginning of what this mushroom can do for you.

Along with its astonishing brain-boosting powers, Lion’s Mane offers additional significant health benefits. There’s a reason these mushrooms have been used for generations — they work to promote wellness and vitality no matter how old you are.

Here are just some of the additional health benefits you’ll get when you start consuming Lion’s Mane:

Reduced inflammation. As you know, inflammation is the root cause of chronic disease. And anything you do to lower it can improve your health — even save your life. According to in vitro studies, Lion's Mane has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.15 Its antioxidant activity scavenges those free radicals to prevent or diminish damage and reduce inflammation.¹⁶

Stronger, more balanced immunity. Lion’s Mane helps regulate and balance your immune system so it knows how to respond properly — instead of under- or overreacting. It improves immune function by increasing appropriate immune cell activity, protecting you against a world of everyday threats.17 One study showed that Lion’s Mane shielded mice that were infected with a lethal dose of salmonella — the mice lived four times longer than expected while also being protected against expected liver damage.¹⁸

Improved depression and anxiety. Lots of factors can contribute to depression and anxiety, and that includes low BDNF levels. By increasing BDNF, Lion’s Mane helps decrease symptoms of these mood disorders, while also improving sleep. One clinical trial found that Lion’s Mane improved anxiety by 49% and depression by 36%, along with a 39% improvement in sleep disorders.¹⁹

Reduced risk of heart attack. Lion’s Mane helps reduce risk factors for heart disease including...

Better blood sugar control. Lion’s Mane helps lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, two critical factors for managing diabetes.23 The mushroom also contains beta-glucans, a special form of fiber that lowers the glycemic index of starchy foods, which helps you avoid blood sugar spikes after eating.²⁴

Protection against cancer. The latest cancer research shows that Lion’s Mane:^25,26

Another exciting discovery: Compounds from Lion’s Mane, called erinacerins, inhibit a common type of brain tumor called glioma.²⁷

Improved gut health. Lion’s Mane helps promote probiotic gut bacteria for a more balanced, healthy gut microbiome. This helps relieve symptoms of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.²⁸ Lion’s Mane also increases the production of short chain fatty acids in the gut, a critical component of overall wellness.²⁹

Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been shown to protect against stomach ulcers, which are caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria, H. pylori in the gut. An in vivo and in vitro study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that Lion’s Mane mushrooms inhibit the growth of this bacteria and protect the stomach lining from damage.³⁰

With so much to gain from Lion’s Mane, you’ll want to add it to your daily routine right away. You have a few choices when it comes to consuming Lion’s Mane. You can:

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are becoming more popular in grocery stores, especially health food stores and farmers’ markets.

You can even order kits online to grow your own, taking charge of the full experience. Whichever way — or ways — you decide to incorporate Lion’s Mane into your routine, your brain and body will reap the benefits.

1. Use lion’s mane in cooking. This nutrientpacked mushroom has a delicate meaty texture and a slight seafood flavor when cooked. For the best results, slice off and discard the bottom of the mushroom, then cut the rest into slices.

I like to do a simple sauté, cooking them in ghee over medium heat for two minutes per side. When they’re lightly browned, add your favorite seasonings.

You can also add them to a simple stir fry with fresh vegetables or roast them in the oven, lightly coated in olive oil and seasonings, for 15 – 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

2. Brew lion’s mane tea. You have two options when it comes to making Lion’s Mane tea, using whole dried mushrooms or mushroom extract powder.

If you choose to use whole mushroom pieces, steep them in hot water for at least 15 minutes, then strain and drink while still hot.

To use powdered mushroom extract, bring three cups of filtered water to a boil. Add one and a half teaspoons of lion’s mane mushroom powder and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit for one to two minutes, then strain. Pour into mugs to serve, or store in the fridge for later use.

3. Grow your own. If you’re having trouble finding a trusted source for Lion’s Mane mushrooms, there’s a simple solution: Grow your own, indoors or out. You don’t need to be a master gardener with a grass-green thumb to grow these mushrooms.

The easiest way to get started is with a mushroom-growing kit. These take all the guesswork out of your gardening. You’ll want to find a warm (60-70 degrees), humid, low-light area to grow your Lion’s Mane mushrooms. They tend to grow best on logs, indoors or out.

It can take several weeks before your mushrooms are ready to harvest depending on the type of kit you get.

4. Supplement with lion’s mane. Of course, as I tell all my patients and readers, be sure to do all your homework when shopping for supplements. Check where the mushrooms are sourced, and verify they were cultivated in a controlled environment by trained mycologists — scientists who specialize in fungi. I recommend shopping for domestic, farm-raised mushrooms. Look for an organic certification and be sure the produce is non-GMO verified.

You’ll want to read the label to find out which parts of the mushroom are included — look for full-spectrum supplements that contain both the fruiting body and the mycelium. You also want to look for high levels of beta-glucans in your supplement.

You can find Lion’s Mane supplements in powder and liquid extract forms. When choosing, look for a 1:1 extract which uses hot water to break down the mushroom, rather than 8:1 extracts that use solvents.

Successful clinical trials have used anywhere from 500 mg to 2 grams of Lion’s Mane daily. Start at the lower 500 mg dose for at least one week to see how it affects you, then gradually increase it until you’re seeing noticeable improvements. It typically takes three to four weeks for the full benefits to kick in.

 
To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD, CNS

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