Lions Mane

Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is a medicinal mushroom named for it’s appearance. It also goes by many other names including Hedgehog Mushroom, Monkey’s Mushroom, Old Man’s Beard and Bear’s Head. It’s been used in traditional medicine practices across Asian countries such as China, where it’s known as Houtou, and Japan, where it is known as Yamabushitake.

Lion’s Mane is considered a neuroprotector and along with multiple vitamins and minerals it’s also packed with beneficial compounds such as polysaccharides and glycoproteins as well as hericerins, erinacines and erinacelactones which are unique to this mushroom. These compounds help to improve cognitive function by boosting the communication and regeneration of our brain cells and their membranes which leads to improved concentration, mental clarity and memory. They’re also great for boosting mood, reducing anxiety as well as protecting against stomach ulcers, lowering glucose levels and also providing anti-aging, anti-fatigue, anti-biotic and cancer fighting properties.

For these reasons mentioned above we can definitely confirm that a lot of Lion’s Mane powder was consumed during the formulation and creation of TAKe Bioactive products, to ensure our full concentration and brain power!

Nerve Regeneration

Lion’s Mane can assist in nerve cell growth and regeneration in the brain and also throughout the rest of the body. This is because it helps stimulate the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which plays a major role in the maintenance, survival and regeneration of neurons. NGF is essential for keeping the neurons in your brain strong and healthy.

Improving Cognitive Function

Lion’s Mane is known for its neuroprotective and brain boosting properties. Studies have shown this medicinal mushroom to be promising in improving cognitive function and memory, though continual intake may be necessary to keep seeing results.

Acetylcholine, a chemical in the body which helps nerve cell communication, naturally declines with age and even more rapidly in Alzheimers and similar diseases where they can reduce by up to 90 percent. Lion’s Mane can help to enhance these levels in the body, therefore working to improve cognitive function. It also can potentially help to decrease amyloid beta plaque on the brain seen in Alzheimers, which can cause neurotoxicity as well as further contributing to cognitive degradation.

Mood Boosting

A component found in Lion’s Mane mushroom, amycenone, has been shown to have anti-depressant effects in a study conducted on mice. Another 4-week study also showed it can potentially aid in improving concentration, reducing irritability and anxiety, as well as improving sleep quality (and as well all know – a lack of sleep can especially impact our mood and irritation levels!)

Gut health

The polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane have shown to reduce inflammation, especially gut inflammation. It can protect against alcohol-induced stomach lining injury and ulcers, reduce intestinal bleeding as well as protecting against gastritis and colitis.

To fully take advantage of all of the amazing health benefits that Lion’s Mane mushroom has to offer, after extensive research we decided to use full spectrum mushroom powder in our products. Our mushrooms are grown using a unique and specialised process to ensure that all of the beneficial compounds found in each life cycle of the mushroom are fully utilised and bio-available in our formulations. The fermentation process used in growing our mushrooms utilises only organic substrate material and is extended so there is less than 5% substrate in the final product.

Another benefit of Full Spectrum Powders is they contain all of the antiviral and antibacterial extra-cellular compounds that are excreted throughout the lifecycle of the mushroom, in order to protect itself in its environment. These extracellular compounds are not included in mushroom extracts as they are lost in both hot water and alcohol extraction processes.

Find out more about the benefits of full spectrum mushroom powder and our processes here.