This article is based on Mayo Clinic’s content.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that destroys memory and other important cognitive functions. Initially, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience mild confusion and problems with memory and recall. However, over time people with this disease may forget important loved ones and suffer extreme changes in personality.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent cause of dementia, a group of brain disorders that cause the loss of intellectual and social skills. In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells deteriorate and die, causing diminished capacity of memory and cognition.

The medications and control strategies that are used today to treat Alzheimer’s disease can temporarily improve symptoms. However, since Alzheimer’s disease is degenerative and has no cure, it is important to seek support services and get in touch with professionals as soon as possible.

Do you want to know more about Alzheimer’s disease?

We recommend that you continue reading the Disease and Conditions page of the Mayo Clinic for the public.

What mushrooms have useful properties for Alzheimer’s?

The below mushrooms that have the best results for the brain support. They help with the regeneration of neuronal connections and have a high antioxidant profile to combat the premature aging and deterioration of brain cells.

Lion’s mane

Lion’s Mane has regenerative properties for the nervous system. It has the unique ability to regenerate the myelin sheath ( sleeves of fatty tissue that protect your nerve cells). It contains compounds (hericenones and erinacines) that enhance nerve growth factor (NGF) further supporting the nervous system. The extract of the Lion’s Mane promotes cognitive stability and the normal development of brain cells, without showing nay side effects or damage to the cells.

Reishi

Reduces cell aging.
Reishi has the most anti-aging effects of all the mushrooms. Free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species, are capable of oxidizing molecules that result in cell death or tissue damage and Reishi counteracts this damaging process with its potent antioxidant properties.

References

1. Klaus AS, Kozarski MS, Nikšić MP (2011) Antioxidant properties of hot water extracts from carpophore and spores of mushroom Ganoderma lucidum. Proceedings for Natural Science, Matica Srpska Novi Sad 120, 277-286.
2. Kozarski MS, Klaus AS, Nikšić MP (2011) Extract from wild strain of mushroom Ganoderma lucidum as natural antioxidant. Proceedings for Natural Science, Matica Srpska Novi Sad 120, 287-295.
3. Ma BJ, Shen JW, Yu HY, Ruan Y, Wu TT, Zhao X (2010) Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus. Mycology 1, 92-98.
4. Moldavan M, Grygansky AP, Kolotushkina OV, Kirchhoff B, Skibo GG, Pedarzani P (2007) Neurotropic and trophic action of Lion’s Mane mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) extracts on nerve cells in vitro. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 9, 15-28.
5. Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T (2009) Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research 23, 367-372.
6. Kawagishi H, Zhuang C (2008) Compounds for dementia from Hericium erinaceum. Drugs of the Future 33, 149-155.
7. Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, Azumi Y, Kinugasa S, Inatomi S, Nakahata N (2008) Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 31, 1727-1732.