Hericium erinaceus: Its Role in Combating Fatigue

Hericium erinaceus: Its Role in Combating Fatigue

Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as lion's mane mushroom, is a widely recognized medicinal mushroom found in China and other Eastern countries. The polysaccharides derived from this mushroom have garnered significant interest due to their various physiological benefits. Research from the Wuhan Institute of Physical Culture and Central-South University of Nationalities has examined its effects in detail. As in most studies, the subjects were split into different groups: a control group, a low-dose group (50 mg/kg), a medium-dose group (100 mg/kg), and a high-dose group (200 mg/kg). All the treatment groups received Hericium erinaceus. Key bioactive compounds studied include polysaccharides, lectins, proteins, lipids, hericenones, erinacins, and terpenoids. Polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus have shown promising anti-fatigue effects, including reducing levels of blood lactic acid (BLA) and blood urea nitrogen (SUN). ### Impact of Hericium erinaceus on Swimming Endurance: The Hericium erinaceus-treated groups demonstrated a significant improvement in swimming endurance. The low-dose group showed an 18.15% increase in swimming time, the medium-dose group had a 37.18% increase, and the high-dose group showed a remarkable 58.46% increase in comparison to the control group. This indicates that the mice in these groups were able to swim for longer durations. ### Impact on Blood Lactic Acid and Urea Nitrogen: Lactic acid levels, which are associated with fatigue and muscle strain, decreased by 16.43% in the low-dose group, 28.90% in the medium-dose group, and 52.13% in the high-dose group, suggesting a significant reduction in fatigue. ### Effect on Glycogen Levels in Liver and Muscle: Glycogen, a key energy source stored in the liver and muscles, showed notable increases in the treatment groups: 18.43% in the low-dose group, 35.79% in the medium-dose group, and even higher in the high-dose group. ### Influence on Antioxidant Enzyme Activity: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are important antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage. The SOD activity in Hericium-treated groups increased by 21.45% in the low-dose group, 36.78% in the medium-dose group, and even higher in the high-dose group. ### Reduction in Malondialdehyde (MDA) Content: MDA, a marker of oxidative stress and cell damage, decreased significantly in the Hericium groups: by 15.23% in the low-dose group, 28.67% in the medium-dose group, and 43.89% in the high-dose group, indicating a reduction in oxidative damage. In conclusion, incorporating Hericium erinaceus into your routine, along with a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, can help reduce fatigue during exercise and enhance athletic performance. You can purchase lion's mane products such as: 1. Lion's mane fruits 2. Lion's mane capsules 3. Lion's mane extract If you found this information helpful, don't forget to share it with others!