Lion’s mane is a type of mushroom that is white, large, and shaggy looking. The mushroom really does look like a long shaggy lion mane. This is a potent adaptogenic, which means that it is a plant substance that helps our bodies manage stress and regain out balance after stressful situations. Lion’s mane mushrooms can have medicinal and cooking uses, which is just one reason why this mushroom has become a popular supplement option.
That being said, there are many lion’s mane supplements out there, so how do you know which ones are worth using and which are worth losing? That’s where we come in to help. In this review, we’re going to take a closer look at one specific lion’s mane supplement called Apothekary Lion’s Mane.
Does this supplement have the right ingredients? Will it provide the benefits you’re searching for? We’ll answer all of those questions and more in this Apothekary Lion’s Mane review. Let’s get started!
About Apothekary Lions Mane
This Lion’s Mane supplement comes from the supplement company, Apothekary. This company is a plant-based pharmacy that aims to get to the root cause of issues (no pun intended). Their goal is to keep the toxins out through plant-based medicine.
In addition to Apothekary Lion’s Mane, this supplement company is well-known for their wide variety of other products, many of which we have previously reviewed.
Other Apothekary Reviews:
- Apothekary Mind Over Matter Review
- Apothekary Chill The F* Out Review
- Apothekary Stop Your Wine-Ing Review
The Apothekary Lion’s Mane supplement comes in powder form and seems to be a simple, yet sophisticated fungi.
Apothekary Lion’s Mane Benefits
Apothekary advertises that this mushroom helps with athletic recovery after heavy weightlifting workouts, Crossfit, long runs, and High Intensity Interval Training workouts. This mushroom can also reduce stress, have anti-inflammatory properties, and increase energy.
Energy Boosting
When it comes to increasing energy, lion’s mane can increase glycogen content and antioxidant enzyme activity, which in turn can increase your energy levels. Lion’s mane can also decrease blood lactic acid levels. Blood lactic acid levels are a good indicator to measure fatigue status. Lion’s mane can decrease the rise in blood lactic acid levels, which can in turn fight fatigue and increase our exercise load capacity.
Reduce Stress
Most of the people that I meet are stressed or have been stressed out at least once during the day. I am also prone to the stress of work and family and experience bouts of anxiety here and there. Lion’s mane has the potential to improve the function of the hippocampus that controls our emotional responses.
Anti-inflammatory
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are the causes of many illnesses around the world. Lion’s mane contains very powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that could help reduce the impact of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. When it comes to obesity, lion’s mane has been shown to decrease the amounts of inflammation that fat tissues release.
Athletic Recovery
Along with increasing energy for our muscles and reducing fatigue, lion’s mane can also help with concentration, focus, and cognitive function. It also aids in recovery time due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
All these benefits make Apothekary Lion’s Mane seem like the king of recovery and energy-boosting supplements, but how does Lion’s Mane aid our bodies in achieving these benefits? Let’s take a closer look.
Apothekary Lion’s Mane Ingredients
Apothekary Lion’s Mane’s main ingredient is, of course, lion’s mane. This mushroom sounds and looks like it came right out of a sci-fi movie, or fantasy book for all my book readers out there. This edible fungus has been used for medicinal purposes in Eastern countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and India. It can be found in North America and Europe as well as China and Japan. It really does look like an overgrown mane of a lion and is white. This mushroom is also known as Hericium erinaceus or hou tou gu or yamabushitake.
What makes this mushroom so special? One thing that makes it special is that it contains high amounts of beta-glucan polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are a naturally occurring glucose polymer that is found in the cell walls of some fungi and bacteria. These help with immune response, blood sugar regulation, and gut health. Lion’s mane also contains lectins, proteins, and lipids.
Lion’s mane contains antioxidants. These antioxidants play many roles in the body. One of these benefits is to help our bodies produce energy. This mushroom works like caffeine without jitters or fatigue afterward. The antioxidants can help to fight stress which can contribute to fatigue. Specifically, the polysaccharides that occur in lion’s mane decrease lactic acid, urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde, which is a biomarker for oxidative stress. It also helps to increase glycogen content in the muscles and increase antioxidant activity. A study done on mice showed that the physical fatigue indicators: lactic acid, urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde, were significantly lower in the mice that consumed the lion’s mane than the ones that didn’t. That same study showed that lion’s mane also increases glycogen, the source of energy in the muscles, and antioxidant activity.
It also aids with inflammation. Inflammation in the body can cause a slew of issues that range from depression and anxiety to gut health. Here is where those antioxidants come into play once again. These antioxidants protect our tissues from damage from free radicals. The antioxidants counteract the effects of these free radicals and oxidative stressors in our bodies which can prevent inflammatory responses that result in inflammation. This can lead to a shorter recovery time for those muscles in athletes. Lion’s mane also contains natural ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors help to relax the blood vessels, increase blood flow, and decrease the workload on the heart which can also contribute to a faster recovery.
This mushroom also helps to support the growth of nerves in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that controls our emotions and memory. This is done by stimulating NGF (natural growth factor) production. NGF is a protein that is crucial for the function, creation, and existence of neurons in the brain. This also aids athletes because mental clarity is just as important as being physically able. Lion’s mane can increase concentration and focus which can have a positive effect on performance. Lion’s mane has also been shown to help with anxiety and depression. In a small study of menopausal women, the consumption of lion’s mane in cookies for one month had reduced feelings of anxiety and irritability.
Does Apothekary Lion’s Mane Work?
This mushroom supplement shows great potential not only for the average person, but for athletes as well. The mechanics behind how this mushroom can benefit anyone by increasing energy and helping with inflammation seem well understood. There are many reviews out there from others that state how lion’s mane has helped them with their focus, and boost in energy to get through the day. More and more research is coming out that explains the why’s to how much potential this mushroom has. Apothekary Lion’s Mane has the benefit of being a simple, yet sophisticated supplement that works on the overall health of an individual.
Claim vs. Reality
The Apothekary states that lion’s mane is like a natural Gatorade since it fuels athletes in recovery, provides the body with energy, and keeps that mental fog out. They do not specify how long it takes to see any changes whether you are an athlete or just looking to better your overall health. Apothekary claims that 96% of their customers see results in the first three weeks, but then in another section of the website they say that it is dependent on the person how long it takes for the supplements to have an effect. The statements that the Apothakary makes about the benefits are backed by research. This supplement continues to gain popularity amongst athletes, but more studies need to be done that involve humans to examine the benefits of lion’s mane.
I think that it is important to note that on the website you are not able to see the nutrition information on the bottle of lion’s mane. It states that the only ingredient is lion’s mane, and they don’t use any fillers, and say their products are sustainably sourced but it does not say where from. This makes it hard to tell if it is truly a high-quality product or not and brings up the question, are you really getting what you pay for?
Who is Apothekary Lion’s Mane Best for?
Apothekary describes their lion’s mane supplement as one for athletes, and for those who want to balance everyday life. The benefits of a lion’s mane have the potential to be very beneficial for anyone. This supplement should not be given to children, and it is always best for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding to consult with their doctors before taking this supplement. There is not enough safety information to determine whether lion’s mane is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is very important to note that none of the statements that the Apothekary is making about lion mane have been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and it is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Apothekary Lion’s Mane
- Formula includes one main ingredient, lion’s mane
- Ingredients are organic, non-GMO, and vegan
- Benefits energy levels, stress reduction, recovery, and more
Is Apothekary Lion’s Mane Safe?
Lion’s mane is well tolerated by many, but the most common side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, skin rashes, and nausea. If you have any allergies or a history of asthma, you should speak with your doctor before you try this supplement. There have not been many studies on humans to examine the mushroom’s side effects, but results look promising in studies with rats. Lion’s mane may also cause slow blood clotting and interact with diabetes treatments, as well as blood clotting medications.
When it comes to the dosage of lion’s mane there is no set recommendation. I found that some studies recommend up to 1,000 mg and others say you can have up to 3,000 mg. In the FAQ section of the Apothekary website, the question asked is when can one expect to see results? In the description it uses the example to treat a specific symptom one should take the products as needed. However, this product should not be solely used to treat any specific conditions as supplements are not regulated by the FDA. What may work for one might not work for all.
Where to Buy Apothekary Lion’s Mane
Apothekary Lion’s Mane is available on the official Apothekary website.
Apothekary Lion’s Mane is priced at $69.00 for a one-time purchase. They also offer a subscribe and save option that brings the price down 15%, to $58.65 for 45 servings.
FAQ: Apothekary Lion’s Mane Review
Is this product grown in the USA?
Apothekary states that their product is sustainably sourced and harvested using ethical means but does not give where the lion’s mane is grown.
Is Apothekary Lion’s Mane organic?
Yes, this product is organic, non-GMO, vegan, and sustainably sourced.
How do you consume Apothekary Lion’s Mane?
Add 1 teaspoon to any smoothie, coffee, or tea. Mix it up and enjoy!
Does Apothekary Lion’s Mane have a flavor?
This product is advertised as having a sweet and savory profile that pairs well with coffee, chai spices, and maple syrup.
