Lion's Mane and its Impact on Digestive Health: Scientific Evidence and Benefits

Research on functional mushrooms has grown significantly in recent years, and Lion's Mane ( Hericium erinaceus ) has established itself as one of the most promising. Recent studies, such as that of Gravina et al. (2023) , published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology , have analyzed its impact on digestive health, evidencing its ability to protect the gastric mucosa, modulate the intestinal microbiota and reduce inflammation .

On the other hand, research such as that of Wang et al. (2023) highlights its antioxidant and gastroprotective properties , while Diling et al. (2017) have evaluated its impact on inflammatory bowel diseases, with positive results in experimental models. Below, we will explore how these findings can be translated into concrete health benefits.

A Mushroom with Therapeutic Potential: What Makes It Special?

Lion's Mane is a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory capacity . Its composition includes a wide variety of bioactive compounds , including:

• Polysaccharides and beta-glucans , known for their immunomodulatory effect.
• Erinacines and hericenones , which have demonstrated neuroprotective and anticancer effects.
• Natural antioxidants , which help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

Its application in digestive health has been the subject of multiple studies, positioning it as a possible complementary treatment for gastric and intestinal disorders .

Lion's Mane and its Relationship to Digestive Health

Protection of the gastric mucosa

The study by Wang et al. (2023) revealed that polysaccharides extracted from Hericium erinaceus have a protective effect on the gastric mucosa in experimental models of ethanol-induced ulcers. It was observed that the fungus not only reduced mucosal damage but also regulated gastric acid production and promoted cell regeneration.

These effects suggest its potential for the treatment of gastritis, peptic ulcers and other digestive disorders , especially in people exposed to gastric irritants such as alcohol or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Modulation of the intestinal microbiota

The intestinal microbiota plays a fundamental role in digestion, metabolism, and immune health. Wang et al. (2023) found that Lion's Mane promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus , while reducing the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

This prebiotic effect can be key in:

• Improving digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Strengthening the intestinal barrier , reducing leaky gut syndrome.
• The regulation of inflammatory processes associated with digestive diseases.

Impact on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

In the study by Diling et al. (2017) , the effect of Hericium erinaceus was evaluated in animal models with induced ulcerative colitis. It was found that the administration of the mushroom extract significantly reduced intestinal inflammation and helped restore mucosal integrity.

These findings open the possibility that Lion's Mane can be used as a supplement in the management of inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease .

Anticancer Properties and Cellular Protection

Another of the most promising aspects of Lion's Mane is its potential in the prevention and treatment of gastric and colorectal cancer .

The study by Tung et al. (2021) in Food & Function demonstrated that erinacins present in this fungus can induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in gastric cancer cells , modulating epigenetic pathways.

Furthermore, other research suggests that Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides may inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells by helping to regulate the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and reducing oxidative stress.

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Conclusion

Recent studies on Lion's Mane have demonstrated its great potential in digestive health. Its ability to protect the gastric mucosa, modulate the intestinal microbiota and reduce inflammation make it a valuable resource within natural medicine.

Although the results in experimental models are promising, further clinical research in humans is needed to determine its efficacy in digestive treatments and its possible application in oncology.

References:

• Gravina AG et al. ( 2023 ). Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases . World Journal of Gastroenterology , 29(20), 3048-3065.
• Wang XY et al. ( 2023 ). Gastroprotective activity of polysaccharide from Hericium erinaceus against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer . Carbohydrate Polymers , 186, 100-109.
• Diling C et al. ( 2017 ). Extracts from Hericium erinaceus relieve inflammatory bowel disease by regulating immunity and gut microbiota . Oncotarget , 8, 85838-85857.
• Tung SY et al. ( 2021 ). Apoptotic mechanisms of gastric cancer cells induced by isolated erinacine S through epigenetic histone H3 methylation of FasL and TRAIL . Food & Function , 12, 3455-3