An expert has shed light on the upsides of a superfood that he claims is simple to add into your diet. Lion’s mane mushrooms, praised for their potential to enhance memory, focus, and overall brain health are gaining popularity as a natural supplement.
This is according to Elliot Webb, founder of Urban Farm-It and author of Growing Mushrooms at Home, who advocates lion’s mane as a “sustainable and accessible way to improve cognitive function”.
Lion’s mane mushrooms are rich in hericenones and erinacines – bioactive compounds that may stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein crucial for the growth and repair of neurons.
Elliot said: “Lion’s mane mushrooms are an incredible natural supplement known for their potential to improve memory and focus. By stimulating NGF production, they may support brain health and even help protect against age-related cognitive decline.”
He suggested that research indicates lion’s mane mushrooms may possess neuroprotective properties, showing promise in managing neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. A 2020 study revealed that individuals with mild Alzheimer’s who consumed one gram of lion’s mane daily for 49 weeks demonstrated significant cognitive improvements compared to those given a placebo, reports Surrey Live.
Lion’s mane mushroom stands out for how easy it is to access and grow at home. Elliot from Urban Farm-It described the process, saying: “With our mushroom-growing kits at Urban Farm-It, anyone may grow fresh lion’s mane at home. It’s a cost-effective and sustainable way to access its benefits, giving you complete transparency in how your supplement is produced.”
This versatile fungus can be incorporated into one’s diet in various forms – be it added directly into meals, steeped as a tea or dehydrated and ground into powder for capsule consumption.
The versatile ingredient can be consumed in a number of ways, allowing for usage in fresh, dried, or powdered variants. It’s often within teas, coffees, and food, making it easy to get your daily dose.
Elliot added: “Incorporating lion’s mane into your diet is simple and rewarding. Not only may it support cognitive health, but it’s also a fantastic way to connect with sustainable living practices.”