Lion’s Mane mushrooms, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, are not just visually striking with their white, toothed appearance resembling a lion’s mane, but they also possess remarkable properties that protect and enhance brain and nerve function. This makes them indispensable for senior dogs, dogs with degenerative myelopathy, and those with nerve-related disorders.
Lion’s Mane mushrooms have a variety of colorful names, including bearded tooth mushroom, hedgehog mushroom, satyr’s beard, bearded hedgehog mushroom, and pom-pom mushroom. In Chinese, they are referred to as Hou Tu Gu, which translates to monkey head mushroom. Beyond their unique names and delicious taste, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are highly valued for their healing abilities. They have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for millennia due to their extensive medicinal benefits, which include antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-fatigue, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective properties. In ancient China, these mushrooms were so prized that they were reserved for royalty. Lion’s Mane is particularly renowned for its ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), earning it the nickname ‘Nature’s nutrient for the neurons.’ Its neurotrophic properties can aid in managing various health challenges. Other healing components include polypeptides, fatty acids, enzymes, oleanolic acids, polysaccharides, and adenosine, which support immune and digestive health and have anti-inflammatory effects. The therapeutic actions of Lion’s Mane are backed by numerous studies, which have highlighted its potential benefits for dogs. Here are the top five reasons to consider incorporating Lion’s Mane into your dog’s diet: 1. Improve Brain and Neurological Functions: As dogs age, they may exhibit mental changes known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), or doggy Alzheimer’s. Senior dogs may become disoriented, and Lion’s Mane can help with these symptoms. 2. Prevention of Doggie Dementia: Lion’s Mane can be given to younger dogs to help maintain optimal brain function and prevent cognitive decline. 3. Boost Brain and Nervous System: Lion’s Mane is famous for its brain-boosting benefits, which include improving brain function and memory. These are just a few of the compelling reasons to consider Lion’s Mane mushrooms as a natural supplement for your dog’s health and well-being.It can also stimulate nerve growth and even help regenerate damaged nerves. Japanese researchers Kawagishi et al published a 2004 study showing that Lion’s Mane supplementation improved functional capacity in a group of patients with mild dementia.
Another Japanese study in 2009 found that test scores of participants who took Lion’s Mane tablets improved during the trial. (The trial showed they declined afterwards. So long term use may be best.) In other research, Kawagishi et al also found that extracts (erinacine A from Lion’s Mane mycelium, and hericenones from fruiting bodies) can pass through the blood-brain barrier and stimulate NGF (nerve growth factor) production. This is one of the most important benefits of Lion’s Mane. NGF helps neurons in the brain survive. And low NGF is linked to diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Help For Degenerative Myelopathy? Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a devastating, progressive disease. It’s not painful, but dogs with DM gradually lose mobility and become paralyzed in their rear legs. Lion’s Mane might offer some hope for dogs with DM (which is a similar disease to MS or Multiple Sclerosis in humans). Myelin is a lipid that forms a sheath around certain nerve fibers in the central nervous system. In MS, myelin sheaths can be damaged, preventing nerves from sending and receiving messages from the brain. In Degenerative Myelopathy, your dog’s immune system attacks the myelin sheath. The chronic inflammation damages the myelin sheath. This leads to progressive nerve tissue damage and loss of motor control. Lion’s Mane may help with remyelination. There are no studies in dogs, but fruiting body extract shows promise in degenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (3). The extract works by improving myelination in patients with this immune-mediated disease. Most conventional vets consider DM to be completely incurable. But holistic vets often find ways to help slow its progress or improve symptoms. Here’s veterinarian Donna Kelleher DVM finding Lions Mane mushrooms growing in the woods. She talks about some of its benefits for nerve and spinal disease. Anti-Cancer Properties Lion’s Mane may also be useful in preventing and managing cancer. Like other medicinal mushrooms, Lion’s Mane may have a role in supporting cancer patients. There are several studies citing its success in slowing or reversing different cancers (4). These include leukemia and cancers of the stomach, lungs, liver and colon. Korean research in 2011 and 2015 found Lion’s Mane helps fight leukemia. Further studies have shown Lion’s Mane can help activate apoptosis (cancer cell death) (4, 5). Lion’s Mane extracts helped prevent metastasis to the lungs in colon-cancer transplanted mice (6). Several medicinal mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting abilities. Turkey tail mushrooms are especially known for their cancer-fighting strengths. And Lion’s Mane could be a valuable addition to your dog’s supplements to help both prevent and manage cancer.Builds Gut And Immune Health: Lion’s Mane can support your dog’s digestive health, which in turn supports immune health. Oligosaccharides in Lion’s Mane act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in your dog’s gut. Prebiotics make probiotics more effective. More than 80% of your dog’s immune system resides in the gut, so gut health is the foundation of all health. Lion’s Mane research has shown immune system benefits in mice.
It may also help regenerate the intestinal lining and prevent or repair leaky gut. A 2013 Malaysian study found Lion’s Mane had an anti-ulcer effect in rats. A Chinese study in 2015 confirmed this success. Lion’s Mane extracts also improved symptoms of gastritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IVD). In a 2017 Chinese study, polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane increased cell-mediated and humoral immunity in mice. Immune functions like NK cell activity and macrophage phagocytosis also improved. This makes Lion’s Mane a valuable part of your dog’s gut and immune support team! Improves Heart Health: Lion’s Mane can support cardiovascular health by reducing chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to heart problems and related issues like diabetes. Lion’s Mane may also help with fat metabolism, control obesity (a contributing factor in heart disease), and limit oxidative stress to the arteries, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Mice on a high fat diet lost weight when fed Lion’s Mane extracts. Malayan researchers found Lion’s Mane helped prevent oxidative stress that leads to vascular disease. Hericone B extracted from Lion’s Mane helped prevent blood clotting and could lower the risk of stroke. If your dog has heart disease risk factors, is diabetic, or tends to gain weight, consider Lion’s Mane. Anti-Bacterial Benefits: Avoid using antibiotics for your dog’s infections as they destroy bacteria indiscriminately, damaging your dog’s microbiome. Lion’s Mane has antibacterial properties. MRSA is a stubborn infection that often affects hospital patients. Antibiotic resistance makes it hard to treat. Dogs can get MRSP, which is similar and also difficult to treat. These infections are more common in immune-compromised dogs and can lead to chronic problems like slow-healing wounds, persistent skin infections or abscesses, chronic UTIs, ear or eye infections. A 2005 study in the International Journal Of Medicinal Mushrooms found that extracts of Lion’s Mane fruiting bodies and mycelium had anti-MRSA activity.Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been found to possess numerous health benefits for dogs. Researchers have isolated anti-MRSA compounds from the fungus, making it a potential ally in combating stubborn bacterial infections in dogs.
Lion’s Mane polysaccharides have also demonstrated anti-H.pylori activity, further highlighting its potential in addressing various health issues. If your dog is struggling with bacterial infections, consider the inclusion of Lion’s Mane in their diet to assist in fighting these issues. When it comes to dosage, it is crucial to follow the instructions on the label if the product is specifically made for dogs. For supplements intended for humans, adjust the dosage based on your dog’s weight, assuming the dose is for a 150 lb person. Always ensure that mushrooms are cooked before feeding them to your dog, as raw mushrooms can cause digestive upset and be indigestible. Opt for a high-quality Lion’s Mane supplement with no fillers for the best results. Caution is advised when selecting medicinal mushroom supplements. Ensure that the supplement is made from whole fruiting bodies and not mycelium, as mycelium is higher in starch and lower in beta glucans, which are essential for the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Much of the research cited was conducted using extracts from whole fruiting mushrooms. Considering the remarkable health properties of Lion’s Mane mushrooms, adding them to your dog’s diet, especially for senior dogs, could be highly beneficial.A recent study published in Food Funct. on March 22, 2017, reveals that the Yamabushitake mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), also known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, has shown to improve lipid metabolism in mice that were fed a high-fat diet. This discovery was made by Hiwatashi K, Kosaka Y, and colleagues in their research article titled ‘Yamabushitake mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) improved lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet.’
Another study conducted by Rahman MA, Abdullah N, Aminudin N, and published in Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. in 2010, demonstrated the inhibitory effect of liquid-liquid partitioned fractions of Hericium erinaceus on in vitro LDL oxidation and HMG Co-A reductase activity. The findings were reported in their work ‘Inhibitory effect on in vitro LDL oxidation and HMG Co-A reductase activity of the liquid-liquid partitioned fractions of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Persoon (lion’s mane mushroom).’ Hirokazu Kawagishi’s research, featured in Int J Med Mushrooms in 2005, Volume 7, Issue 3, focuses on the anti-MRSA compounds derived from Hericium erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. The study is titled ‘Anti-MRSA Compounds from Hericium erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers.’ Shang X, Tan Q, and their team explored the in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of medicinal mushroom extracts, with a special emphasis on the Lion’s Mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (higher Basidiomycetes). Their findings were published in Int J Med Mushrooms in 2013, in the article ‘In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of medicinal mushroom extracts, with special emphasis on the Lion’s Mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (higher Basidiomycetes).’
