We answer the most common questions about Lions Mane and share our top tips for taking it, PLUS the common things to avoid and mistakes that we see people make.
Why is Lions Mane good for Longevity?
Lion's Mane, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, is a type of medicinal mushroom that has gained attention for its potential health benefits, including its association with longevity. While the direct effects of Lion's Mane on human longevity have not been definitively proven, some of its properties may contribute to overall health and well-being, potentially supporting longevity indirectly.
Brain Health: Lion's Mane is known for its potential to support brain health. It contains compounds that may stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that plays a crucial role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells. By promoting nerve cell regeneration and protecting neurons, Lion's Mane may help to maintain cognitive function as people age.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Chronic inflammation is believed to be a significant contributor to various age-related diseases. Lion's Mane mushrooms have shown anti-inflammatory effects in some studies, which may help reduce the risk of developing certain age-related conditions and support overall health.
Antioxidant Effects: Lion's Mane is rich in antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to aging. By combating oxidative stress, Lion's Mane may contribute to better cellular health and longevity.
Immune System Support: A well-functioning immune system is crucial for overall health and longevity. Some research suggests that Lion's Mane may enhance immune function by promoting the activity of certain immune cells, potentially increasing the body's ability to defend against infections and diseases.
Digestive Health: The gut plays a vital role in overall health, and Lion's Mane may support digestive health. Studies have indicated that Lion's Mane extracts may help improve gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and protecting the intestinal lining.
Your most common questions about Lions Mane answered
How to take Lions Mane
Taking Lion's Mane capsules is a straightforward and convenient way to incorporate this medicinal mushroom into your daily routine. Here are some general guidelines on how and when to take Lion's Mane capsules:
Timing: There is no specific "best" time to take Lion's Mane capsules. You can take them at a time that fits well with your daily routine. Some people prefer taking supplements with meals to aid absorption, while others may take them between meals. Listen to your body and find a time that works for you.
With Water: Swallow the Lion's Mane capsules with a glass of water or your preferred beverage. This ensures proper hydration and helps the capsules go down smoothly.
Consistency: For the best results, it's essential to take Lion's Mane capsules consistently. Consistency allows the active compounds in the mushroom to build up in your system, potentially leading to more noticeable effects over time.
When to take when not to take Lions Mane
As with any supplement, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before adding it to your regime, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. A healthcare professional can help determine if Lion's Mane supplements are safe and suitable for your specific needs and health status. Sadly, this is not always practical and therefore the following can be considered sensible considerations.
Allergic Reactions: If you are allergic to mushrooms or have experienced allergic reactions to Lion's Mane in the past, you should avoid taking Lion's Mane supplements.
Interaction with Medications: If you are taking any medications, especially those that affect blood clotting or the immune system, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before taking Lion's Mane supplements. There could be potential interactions with certain medications. Unfortunately this is not something that we can advise on at Longevity Box.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is limited research on the safety of Lion's Mane supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It's best to err on the side of caution and avoid taking them during this time unless approved by a healthcare professional.
Surgery Preparation: Since Lion's Mane may have potential effects on blood clotting, it's advisable to stop taking Lion's Mane supplements at least two weeks before scheduled surgery. Always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements you're taking before any surgical procedure.
Pediatric Use: There is limited research on the safety of Lion's Mane supplements for children. It's best to avoid giving these supplements to young children without consulting a pediatrician.
How long does Lions Mane take to work?
The time it takes for Lion's Mane supplements to work can vary significantly from person to person. Several factors can influence how quickly you may notice the effects:
Individual Differences: Each person's body and metabolism are unique, so the response to Lion's Mane supplements can vary. Some individuals may experience noticeable effects sooner, while others may take longer to perceive any changes.
Dosage and Duration: The dosage and frequency of Lion's Mane supplement intake can also impact how quickly the effects are felt. Higher doses may lead to more immediate results, but it's essential to follow the recommended dosage to avoid potential side effects.
Health Goals: The specific health goals you have in mind can also influence the time frame. For example, if you are taking Lion's Mane for cognitive support, improvements in focus or memory may be noticed sooner than other potential benefits like immune system support.
Pre-existing Conditions: If you have underlying health conditions, it may take longer for the effects of Lion's Mane to manifest, especially if the supplement is being used to address specific health issues.
Consistency and Duration of Use: Consistent use over a prolonged period may be necessary for some individuals to experience the full benefits of Lion's Mane. The active compounds in Lion's Mane may take time to build up in the system and exert their effects.
Complementary Lifestyle Factors: Your overall lifestyle, including diet, exercise, sleep quality, and stress management, can also influence how quickly you notice any positive changes from taking Lion's Mane supplements.
As a general guideline, some people report noticing subtle changes within a few weeks of regular use, while others may require several weeks or even a few months to experience more significant effects. It's essential to be patient and give the supplement sufficient time to work.
If you are taking Lion's Mane supplements for specific health concerns or conditions, it's a good idea to keep track of any changes or improvements you observe. This can help you assess the supplement's effectiveness over time.
As with any supplement, individual responses can vary, and not everyone may experience noticeable effects.
Our Top Tips for taking Lions Mane supplements
Consistency: It seems too simple... but don't forget to take your Lions Mane! The best way to ensure you remember to take your Lions Mane is to add it to a routine/ritual that you already do. For example, if you have a cup of coffee as soon as you get up in the morning, then put your Lions Mane on top of your coffee so you can’t miss it.... if you DO miss a day don't think your hard work is all undone. If it's just a day or two you can catch up by increasing your dosage slightly the following few days. Although, clearly don't miss a week and then take 8 days of doses in one day! Many of our customers take 2 or 3 grams per day so you’re not going to over do it by having a gram and a half for 3 days.
With food: Take your Lions Mane with a drink and, ideally, a meal. We believe that this is the optimum way to take Lions Mane because your body will absorb it alongside the nutrients in the food. If you are taking Lions Mane in capsule form then you can either swallow the capsules with some water whilst you are eating or break the capsules open and pour the Lions Mane into water (to be drunk) or your meal.
Top things to avoid when taking Lions Mane
When not to take Lions mane
Lions Mane is generally considered to be safe for most people, but it should not be taken if you have an allergy or sensitivity to Lions Mane or any of its inactive ingredients. It may also not be appropriate if you have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a bleeding disorder. You should always consult your doctor before taking any new supplement, including Lions Mane. Additionally, individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should speak with their doctor before taking Lions Mane.
Avoid added nasties: Avoid Lions Mane capsules that have unnecessary fillers, binders, preservatives and additives to their supplements. They are added to bulk up products that are in most cases not needed and add no value to your health.
Do not settle on quality: Quality and purity is everything. Unfortunately not all companies agree with us. Whilst Amazon is the world's marketplace and you can find every supplement under the sun on it (including ours), don't take it as given that every supplement on Amazon is pure and tested for quality. Sadly, you will find the cheapest, best selling supplements on Amazon are very often unscrupulous Chinese sellers with very questionable quality. Put simply, they are the best sellers because they are the cheapest. To build (unfounded) credibility they pay 3rd parties for dozens of fake reviews, which gives audiences the perception that hundreds of other consumers are enjoying and benefiting from their product. Sure, there will be authentic reviews also, but for the low/no quality brands that we are talking about here, these are due to the placebo effect.
Of course, this is not always the case and many mainstream vitamins and supplements are purchased on Amazon hundreds of thousands of times a month and therefore some of the best sellers have the economies of scale to be able to offer great value and great quality. But it’s safe to say that for the less well known categories, like longevity supplements, this is not the case and therefore the cheapest products are not what they say.
At Longevity Box, every product we develop is more than 99% pure (as pure as it gets) and we test every batch. You can find our latest certificate for each product on Amazon and our website.
Follow these tips and avoid these things to ensure you are getting the most from your investment in your long term health. If you have any questions, please check out the product pages on our website for more FAQ’s on Lions Mane or drop us a line at CustomerService@LongevityBox.co.uk.