Communication is crucial to so much in life. Even the human body requires constant conversations between the organs, muscles, and cells for effective functioning and optimal performance. 

Meet GABA

The body’s neurotransmitters are responsible for sending this continuous information between the brain and other parts of the nervous system. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter to do this is gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, for short. 

GABA’s crucial role is to maintain a balance between the brain’s excitatory and inhibitory signals. When this process works as it should, the brain is able to function at its best, creating a sense of well-being and resilience.

This is why GABA has been nicknamed the calm chemical and is increasingly being explored for help with our modern levels of excessive stress and anxiety.

GABA Deficiency

The body produces GABA through metabolizing dietary protein. Normally, the body produces all that it needs.

However with factors like aging, not enough protein in the diet, and certain medication interactions, GABA’s production can be interrupted.

Symptoms and Conditions

Without GABA to help reduce excessive neural activity, the brain’s cells begin to fire both too easily and too often.

This can lead to a host of issues:

• convulsions
• seizures
• tremors
• cell death

Serious degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases have been linked with GABA deficits and excessive brain activity as well.

Those with epilepsy, insomnia, and anxiety do not produce enough high levels of GABA naturally.

What Causes Low Levels?

When individuals are dealing with chronic stress or depression, GABA transmission throughout the brain can become dysregulated. High-fat diets can be culprit of low GABA activity and reduce levels, as can vitamin B6 deficiencies. 

How Can You Tell If You Have Low GABA?

Most of GABA is in the brain, not the blood. So blood tests can be ineffectual. Spinal taps and biomarker testing can be used, but these are extreme or indirect diagnostic tools.

There are online questionnaires that can identify whether you may have low levels of GABA. Symptoms of low GABA include feeling stressed, burnt out, fearful, or worried; experiencing panic attacks or stiff muscles; or craving carbs, drugs, or alcohol for relaxation and calming.

Benefits of Boosting GABA

Besides promoting a relaxed state and improved well-being, there are other positive effects that can occur from increasing low GABA amounts.

Here are some of them:

• decreased anxiety
• improved long-term memory
• better sleep
• reduced hypertension
• lowered inflammation
• limited effects from histamines
• enhanced mood

How to Increase GABA

Fortunately, there are natural ways to boost this neurotransmitter.

• Exercise

  Exercise can increase concentrations of GABA. 

• Meditation

  Meditation helps too. In a 2021 study, long-time practitioners of Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM) were shown to have higher levels of GABA in their blood when compared to those who did not practice the technique.

• Diet and Nutrition

  Consuming certain foods and beverages can help GABA levels or enhance their activity. Some items to consider include:

  • spinach
  • tomatoes
  • potatoes
  • beans
  • green tea
  • nuts
  • seeds
  • whole grains
  • halibut
  • citrus fruits
  • oats
  • broccoli
  • bananas
  • pineapples
  • guavas

• Supplements

  Generally advertised as a natural tranquilizer, supplemental GABA is available in powder, capsule, tablet, or liposomal spray form.

  If you consider these products, know that some may be combined with vitamin B6, lemon balm, aswhwagandha, or L-theanine to increase beneficial effects and absorption.

Support your attention span and memory. Zone in with Healthy Origins, powered by Cognizin® Citicoline.

A diverse, nutritious diet is central to optimal cognitive health. Brain cells require specific nutrients for normal metabolism and function. If the level of the nutrients that regulate cellular processes gets low, brain cells can become malnourished and overall brain function may be reduced.

To ensure the brain gets the nutrients it needs, it is important to maintain a healthy diet rich in healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and other beneficial compounds. Fortunately, there are many delicious ways to fuel the brain.

Nutrition for Brain Health

As has been shown by numerous scientific studies, these are bona fide brain foods.

• Healthy Fats in Nuts Improve Cognition

  Studies have shown that nuts like walnuts and almonds, rich in “healthy fats,” may be useful in supporting cognitive health. Nuts are a source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids while also being low in saturated fats.

  These attributes make them good foods for keeping blood pressure in check. According to clinical studies, high blood pressure is linked to cognitive decline. Another study showed improved cognition among older adults who included nuts in their diet.

• Omega 3s in Fish Reduce Stroke Risk

  Fish and seafood are a well-established cornerstone of a healthy diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating two servings of fish per week, with a preference for fattier fish like salmon, sardines, whitefish, and tuna. Fatty fish are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which, according to the AHA, have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

  As is the case with nuts and other foods rich in “good fats,” consumption of these foods can reduce cardiovascular risk, which is associated with positive cognitive outcomes. Higher rates of fish consumption may also lower the risk of dementia, according to clinical studies.

• Flavonoid-Rich Foods Improve Neuroplasticity

  Flavonoids refer to certain compounds with possible medicinal applications found to naturally occur in many plants, fruits, and vegetables. The naturally occurring chemicals have been found to reduce inflammation and support the protection of neurons from toxins. These benefits can support memory and cognitive health.

  Foods with high concentrations of flavonoids include tea, cocoa, and berries. Studies suggest that consumption of cacao (made from cocoa beans) may enhance neuroplasticity with positive behavioral and brain health outcomes. In other clinical studies, berries were shown to aid in the prevention of age-related neurodegenerative diseases by helping to regulate inflammation and cellular function.

• Citicoline Supports Overall Cognitive Health

  Citicoline, a nutrient found in all human cells, supports overall cognitive function by making sure critical nutrients are received by the brain. Clinical studies show that supplementation with citicoline can help with focus, attention, memory, and mental energy.

  Cognizin® is a patented form of citicoline for use in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. Cognizin has been studied for its effects on focus, attention, and nutrition for brain energy. In clinical trials, Cognizin® was associated with positive outcomes in memory and attention.

  Products made with Cognizin® offer the cognitive support benefits of a safe, high-quality, clinically studied citicoline ingredient.

  Visit the Cognizin® website to learn more about the cognitive benefits of citicoline.

Add Healthy Origins to your daily wellness routine to help support focus, attention, and memory. Explore more than 200 brain health products that trust Cognizin Citicoline as a premium nootropic ingredient.

Diet, blood sugar management, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle have a tremendous impact on brain health. Natural remedies are also an important part of a brain-boosting strategy.

Nootropics are medicinal botanicals that support mental function—including cognition, focus, and memory—making them useful for people with a wide range of brain health concerns, and those simply looking for some extra support.

Herbal Nootropics

• Mint for Memory

  Various mint-family plants act as nootropics. They help improve focus and mood, reduce inflammation, reduce blood sugar, and boost levels of the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

  Each has its own specialty, and all work quickly, typically within minutes. Regular use offers deeper benefits.

  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

    Recently renamed Salvia rosmarinus, the aroma of this Mediterranean herb has been relied upon and incorporated into daily rituals for millennia.

    Whether ingested or inhaled, rosemary’s potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, circulation-enhancing, and neurotransmitter-boosting aroma clears the cobwebs, uplifts the senses, and improves memory.

  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

    Just one hour after taking lemon balm, studies suggest you may feel less anxious and more focused, an effect that improves with regular use.

    Lemon balm offers a gentle calming, soothing action, easing not only anxiety but also agitation, hyperactivity, anger, and frustration in all ages.

    Studies support its use inhaled, applied topically, and/or internally.

  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

    In aromatherapy, in chewing gum, as tea, or just a few drops of tincture, peppermint promotes a perky-alert-energized mental state.

    It helps clear the mind, boost mood, and improve speed and accuracy for day-to-day tasks like data entry and other clerical work.

• Find your Focus

  These remedies calm anxiety, agitation, and stress with better focus and without sedation. They’re kid- to elder-friendly and useful in almost any cognitive concern from ADHD to dementia as well as traumatic brain injury.

  • Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)

    This traditional nootropic from India is sometimes called “Brahmi,” a common name shared with fellow nootropic gotu kola. Both herbs are subtle, slow-building tonics for neural health that calm anxiety and agitation while enhancing cognitive function and clarity.

    Bacopa offers support for nervous system restoration, and has gently calming but non-sedating actions.

  • Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

    An adaptogen, vulnerary (healing wounds and supporting collagen and connective tissue integrity), circulatory tonic, and blood vessel toner, gotu kola works best in larger doses, including food forms like juice or pesto, or in formula.

    Ensure that you’re buying organic cultivated material from reputable companies.

  • Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

    Another adaptogen, this fruit from traditional Chinese medicine has a wide range of medicinal actions.

    For cognition, you’ll notice your focus and energy sharpen almost immediately, without (for most people) feeling overly stimulated.

• Other options

  • Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

    This Siberian longevity tonic and adaptogenic root not only helps you feel more energized and more resistant to stress but also supports mood, neural health, and improved alertness.

  • Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

    This edible mushroom, taken as a supplement or eaten regularly for months, has the potential to gradually help restore nerve function, memory, and cognition.

    It may help delay a decline due to aging or damage.

    It also supports mood and sleep.

Consumers often worry about feeling anxious and restless when they turn to applications like energy drinks and energy supplements. As such, products to support mental energy without the jitters or crash offer a compelling narrative to consumers. Specially formulated energy applications offer help when tasks require focus, attention, and memory. However, many, if not most energy-focused formulations rely on stimulants like caffeine and ginseng that may also come with restlessness, headaches, and trouble sleeping.

Citicoline supplementation has been shown in clinical research to offer neuroprotective effects and cognitive support without these side effects. When used as an ingredient in food, beverage, or supplement applications, citicoline can offer long-term benefits that consumers may currently seek in the short term via energy drinks and supplements.

Citicoline (cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, or CDPcholine) is a naturally occurring nucleotide that can be found in every cell of humans and animals. As an intermediate precursor in the intracellular synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, an important phospholipid, citicoline is a critical part of maintaining the structure and function of cell membranes. Scientific studies associate citicoline supplementation with cognitive health benefits, such as support for an individual’s capacity for attention, focus, and memory recall.

The neuroprotective characteristics of citicoline are well-documented in the clinical literature. Male teens who received citicoline supplementation in one study demonstrated improved motor speed. Another study showed increased brain activity after six weeks in middle-aged adults who supplemented with citicoline. And in multiple studies, citicoline was associated with improved memory performance in elderly individuals.

Other studies have shown the potential for citicoline to aid in attention capacity. A doubleblind, randomized, placebo-controlled study showed improved attentional performance in middle-aged women who supplemented with citicoline for 28 days. Citicoline supplementation has also been shown to increase the levels of bioenergetics like ATP in brain cells.

Citicoline can protect neural tissues via several mechanisms, many of which are the subjects of continuing clinical research. As a precursor to phosphatidylcholine, citicoline plays an important role in the synthesis of the building blocks of cell membranes. Proper function of cell membranes is necessary for brain cells to optimally receive nutrition for energy.

Neurotransmitters are another mechanism by which citicoline can offer cognitive benefits. These are the chemicals needed by the nervous system to allow communication between tissues, organs, and systems. They are among other things responsible for feelings of wakefulness and mental energy.

Supplementation with citicoline has been shown to increase the availability of certain neurotransmitters to brain cells, thus contributing to optimal function of the central nervous system. Pre-clinical data indicates citicoline may raise the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the CNS; both have neuroprotective effects.

Citicoline supports cognitive benefits through other mechanisms of action. For example, citicoline has been studied to explore the potential to support mental health. Future research looks promising as researchers continue to refine their understanding of how citicoline supports brain health.

Mental energy is a critical component of health and wellness.

Energy Drinks Survey

According to a survey by Kyowa Hakko of more than 500 U.S. consumers, 85% said mental energy is important to their quality of life.

Indeed, feelings of sluggishness or lack of energy are key reasons many consumers reach for support via energy supplements and energy drinks.

Likelihood to Purchase

• Two-out-of-five consumers we surveyed said they are “very likely” to purchase an energy drink in the next three months.
• Another 23% said they are somewhat likely to do so.

However, when it comes to energy drinks on the market:

• Only 67% are satisfied with the options currently available.

Unwanted Effects

Many consumers noted concerns about using beverages or supplementation to improve energy:

• Concerns include worries about experiencing restlessness or an energy crash that comes later.
• Nearly 39% said they are “very concerned” about sleep loss while using energy drinks and supplements.
• Similarly, 35% are very concerned about feelings of anxiety.

Conclusion

The survey findings point to these concerns as a stumbling block to consumers trying energy drinks.

Therefore, there are significant growth opportunities for beverage applications that can provide energy benefits without the jitters.

Citicoline

Citicoline, a naturally occurring substance found in all human cells, is a nutrient that supports healthy mitochondria, the cellular source of the brain’s energy. By supplying brain cells with necessary nutrition, citicoline can help a person stay focused and attentive.

In fact, several clinical studies support the cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective properties of citicoline supplementation.

Cognizin® Citicoline

Cognizin® is a branded form of citicoline specially formulated for food, beverage, and supplement applications.

Among numerous possible benefits, Cognizin® Citicoline has been studied in regard to its support for mental focus, attention, memory, and overall cognitive health.

Studies

• Memory

  For example, one study showed Cognizin® Citicoline improved memory performance in elderly subjects and was concluded to be useful in treating age-related memory deficits.

• Attention and Motor Speed

  In another study, adolescent males who were provided with Cognizin® Citicoline supplementation showed improved attention and motor speed and reduced impulsivity compared to those who received a placebo.

• Brain Activity

  In yet another study, researchers observed increased brain activity in middle-aged adults who had been provided with Cognizin® Citicoline supplementation for six weeks.

Formulation

Furthermore, Cognizin® Citicoline is an allergen-free, vegetarian, kosher nootropic ingredient, and generally regarded as safe (self-affirmed GRAS since 2009).

The purity and stability of Cognizin® Citicoline is backed by the industry-leading manufacturing quality standards of Kyowa Hakko. Kyowa’s proprietary fermentation process ensures the highest quality, efficacy, and consistency in production.

The amino acid fermentation experts at Kyowa work hard to make sure Cognizin® Citicoline easily integrates into food and beverage applications with no effect on taste or texture.

By formulating with Cognizin® Citicoline, food and beverage brands can take advantage of a natural cognitive health ingredient that is backed by science.

Further Reading

Visit the Cognizin® website to learn more about the cognitive benefits of citicoline supplementation.

What is The Vagus Nerve?

Your vagus nerve is actually a complex bundle of nerves that connect your brain to many areas of your body, allowing for two-way communication and assisting in a wide range of body processes.

Also called the 10th (or “X”) cranial nerve, it’s the longest nerve in the body.

• Why Is It Called The Vagus Nerve?

  Its name is derived from the Latin term for “wandering” (vaga, as in vagabond) because of the way it wanders around the body.

• What Connects to The Vagus Nerve?

  It connects the brain with your ear, throat, neck, heart, lungs, stomach, liver, and gallbladder.

• What Does The Vagus Nerve Do?

  The vagus nerve’s many critical functions include:

  • perceiving sensory experience from the heart, throat, lungs, and abdomen
  • assisting with swallowing, the ability to talk, the gag reflex, and some taste sensations
  • controlling the involuntary and smooth muscle actions of the digestive, detoxification, and cardiovascular systems
  • allowing the gut and microbiome to communicate with the brain
  • regulating heart rate and blood pressure

  It’s particularly associated with the parasympathetic nervous system body functions—that is, the actions the body performs when in the “rest, repair, and digest” mode versus “fight or flight.” It helps us deal with stress, fear, and anxiety.

  With all of this, the vagus nerve may play a role in the following, and so much more:

  • cognition
  • gut health
  • epilepsy
  • mood disorders
  • cardiovascular disease
  • heart rate variability
  • stress
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • long haul COVID-19
  • gastroparesis
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • slow heart rate
  • low blood pressure
  • loss of the gag reflex
  • migraines
  • episodes of vasovagal syncope:
    • flushing
    • nausea
    • drop in blood pressure
    • heart dysrhythmia

Supporting Vagal Tone

Many of the broader concepts of the vagus nerve’s effect on overall wellbeing and our ability to support it are still relatively new and not entirely understood.

Although more serious vagus nerve damage may require medical treatments such as vagus nerve stimulation, we can support our day-to-day vagal tone via various holistic approaches.

• Voice and Throat

  Singing, humming, and chanting help to activate the surrounding muscle to stimulate the vagus nerve. Gargling may also work via similar mechanisms.

• Cold Exposure

  Short but extreme cold temperature exposure like a 30-second cold shower, splashing cold water on the face, or rolling around in the snow with very little clothing may activate the vagus nerve and reduce the fight or flight response over time.

• Breathing Exercises

  Breathing exercises, both immediately and with regular long-term practice, help support the parasympathetic and vagus nerve responses, which can be particularly helpful for stress, anxiety, and heart rate variability. There are many methods of breathwork, and they often take just a few minutes of time per day.

• Meditation

  Meditation supports vagal tone and stress response, especially when practiced regularly.

• Microbiome Support

  Probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, and high-fiber, prebiotic-rich foods support the microbiome.

• Foods and Supplements

  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • fatty, cold-water fish
  • bitter-tasting herbs
  • zinc
  • plant foods
  • tryptophan-rich foods
    • oats
    • nuts
    • bananas

• Herbs

  We’re still in the very early stages of understanding the role that herbs and supplements may play in vagal health. Consider nootropic, nervine, calming, and adaptogenic herbs such as:

  • ashwagandha
  • bacopa
  • holy basil
  • gotu kola
  • shankhpushpi
  • kava
  • green tea
  • hot peppers / capsaicin

• Lifestyle

  • exercise
  • massage
  • laughing
  • socializing
  • hugging
  • loving-kindness meditation
  • acupuncture
  • yoga
  • t’ai chi
  • prayer
  • time spent in nature

As of May 3, 2023, there have been more than 103 million cases of COVID-19 in the US with more than 1 million deaths, according to figures compiled by the World Health Organization. 

As disheartening as these statistics are, researchers are finding more cause for concern.

In addition to respiratory symptoms, studies are finding both short- and long-term neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms that are consequences of the virus.

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of COVID-19

NP issues include “cognitive and attention deficits (i.e., brain fog), new-onset anxiety, depression, psychosis, seizures, and even suicidal behavior,” according to Maura Boldrini, MD, PhD, and colleagues.  

Their review of studies found that NP symptoms can present before, during, or after COVID-19 respiratory symptoms “and are unrelated to respiratory insufficiency, suggesting independent brain damage.”  

European studies found NPs in from 20 to 70 percent of post-COVID patients, “even in young adults, and lasting months after respiratory symptoms resolved,” Dr. Boldrini and her team reported. 

Long-Term Effects on Mental Health in Teens

A study led by researchers at University of California, San Francisco, looked at three teenagers with “mild or asymptomatic” COVID-19 who presented with “suicidal thoughts, ‘paranoia-like fears,' delusions, and 'foggy brain,'” said Suzanne Leigh, senior public information representative at UCSF. 

“Unlike most psychiatric presentations,” Leigh noted, “the three patients in the UCSF study had symptoms with sudden onset and rapid progression, representing a marked change from their baselines.” 

“The patients had significant neuropsychiatric manifestations despite mild respiratory symptoms, suggesting potential short and long-term effects of COVID,” according to one of the study authors, Claire Johns, MD, of the UCSF Department of Pediatrics.

This is the first study “to look at anti-neural antibodies (‘turncoat’ antibodies that may attack brain tissue) in pediatric patients who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2,” said Leigh. 

Viral Infections and Mental Health

“We’ve known for a long time that there’s a link between viral infections and mental health,” Dr. Boldrini said in a recent interview with Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “We think that neuropsychiatric symptoms may be caused by the body’s immune response to viruses and other pathogens... rather than the direct effects of the pathogen. 

“I think psychiatry researchers could play an important role in helping uncover the biological effects of COVID on the brain, even in people who did not have severe respiratory symptoms," she said.

"If we don’t do this work, we could be dealing with a mental health pandemic long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.” 

What is Lion's Mane?

Both a delicious edible and incredible medicine, lion’s mane mushroom (Heiricium erinaceus), when mature, is a fleshy, semi-spherical whitish fruiting body.

It is composed of a mass of unbranched icicle-looking spines hanging from a cushiony base that attaches to recently fallen logs or injured tissue of living hardwoods.

Native to Europe, it is widely distributed throughout woodlands of North America.

When fresh, the spines are white and highly edible, though the base is too tough to be eaten.

As this mushroom ages, the color turns to yellowish to brown, at which time its delectability declines.

Lion's Mane for Brain Health

Medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake, and lion’s mane, are among the most important supplements we can use for overall health. They share properties and chemistry that are similar, but each has its unique signature.

The unique signature of lion’s mane is its incredible potential for healing nerve tissue. Clinical and preclinical investigations show it to be uniquely beneficial in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease, due to its ability to both protect and regenerate nerve tissue.

Lion’s Mane Chemistry

• Beta Glucan-Type Polysaccharides

  Like most medicinal mushrooms, lion’s mane consists of an array of beta glucan-type polysaccharides, often touted as the active constituents of medicinal mushrooms.

• Diterpenoids: Erinacines and Hericenones

  Of special interest that gives lion’s mane its unique standing is a collection of diterpenoids know as erinacines and phenolic compounds known as hericenones. Both have the ability to promote the synthesis of nerve growth factor, a neuropeptide involved in the regulation of growth, maintenance, proliferation, and survival of neurons.

• Other Components

  Additionally, lion’s mane contains:

  • organic acids
  • nucleotides
  • amino acids
  • carbohydrates
  • flavonoids
  • unsaturated fatty acids
  • terpenoids
  • phenolic acids
  • phenylpropanoids
  • steroids

Lion's Mane for Neurodegenerative Diseases

In animals that received erinacine A in daily meals, improvements in neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease were seen. Also observed were decreases in amyloid plaque, a characteristic feature of AD.

The same compound increased the survival of newly formed neurons in the hippocampus, suggesting general benefit, not just benefit for those with diseased brains.

Subsequently, an erinacine A-enriched lion’s mane mycelium preparation was given to patients with mild AD. Improvements were recorded using a variety of dementia assessment ratings.

Other markers associated with cognitive decline showed marked improvement, including increases in neurotropic factor in the brain and reductions in amyloid plaque and apolipoprotein E4 levels, the latter being the primary known genetic risk factor for AD.

Part of this activity is associated with a direct effect on regenerating nerve tissue but also in reducing inflammatory cytokines, which are compounds that can wreak havoc on nerve tissue (think “cytokine storm,” as seen in severe cases of COVID-19).

Other Neurological Disorders

In addition to lion’s mane potential for reducing the incidence and severity of AD and dementia, it similarly shows benefit in other neurological disorders, including:

• protecting against age-related hearing loss
• decreasing brain lesions in Parkinson’s disease
• supporting healthy myelination of nerve tissue

Myelin is a fatty substance that serves as insulation around nerve tissues, thereby improving nerve transmission and factors in conditions such as:

• multiple sclerosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• peripheral nerve damage

Other Benefits of Lion's Mane

• Diabetes Control

  While the cognitive benefits of lion’s mane have been determined in human clinical and animal trials, a number of other benefits have been investigated in preclinical studies.

  When administered as a part of the diet, lion’s mane inhibited the wasting that occurs in advanced diabetes, improved fasting blood sugar levels, reduced glucose tolerance, improved liver function and lipid metabolism, and reduced oxidative stress, which is prevalent in diabetes.

  Polysaccharides were found to be at least partially responsible for these activities.

• Immunity

  A number of studies report a host of mechanisms by which lion’s mane supports health in general and healthy immunity specifically.

  In one study, compounds hericerin A and hericerin inhibited the growth of leukemia cells, while another showed that lion’s mane polysaccharides activate macrophage immune response, which suggests its potential as a preventive in respiratory infections.

• Gut Health

  Other studies show that lion’s mane improves the health of the intestinal microbiome with potential benefit in colitis, healing of the mucosal lining in the intestines, and even the potential to break down wheat.