What is cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between normal cognitive deterioration that comes naturally with age and the more serious deterioration of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment.

If you have mild cognitive impairment, you may be aware that your memory or your mental functions are ‘not quite right’. Your family and close friends may also have noticed some changes, though generally, these changes are not so serious as to interfere in your daily life and normal activities.

Mild cognitive impairment may increase your risk of later developing dementia, caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other neurological conditions. Although some people with mild cognitive impairment do not worsen and a few eventually improve.

Which mushrooms have useful properties for cognitive impairment?

Lion’s Mane and Reishi are significant mushrooms in supporting the decline of cognitive abilities because they work together to support neuron activity and tissue damage.

Lion's Mane Hifas da Terra

Lion’s mane

Lion’s Mane is a remarkable mushroom known to regenerate the brain tissues that is  responsible for healthy nerve activity, vital for cognitive ability. It aids the communication of nerve impulses, regrowth of myelin sheath and enhances nerve growth factor (NGF) which is important in the survival of nerve cells.

Reishi Hifas da Terra: useful properties

Reishi

Reishi is the premium anti-aging mushroom. It is highly antioxidant and known to improve cognitive function by reducing tissue damage and cell aging that may lead to reduced mental functions.

Nutritional recommendations and general healthy habits for the maintenance of a good state of health

  • Have a varied diet.
  • Do not take foods that are too hot or too cold.
  • Consume water in abundance.
  • Avoid toxic environments and contaminated with smoke, tobacco …
  • Stroll through natural areas, parks … where you can breathe purer air without polluting.
  • Avoid meat products, especially red meat and derivatives such as sausages.
  • In general, you can not take baked goods or pastries.
  • You should also avoid the consumption of pre-cooked and dried fast-food type soup soups.
  • Avoid or reduce salt consumption to a minimum. When you consume it, choose preferably unrefined salt. You can substitute the garnishes of the meals with spices, for example.
  • To cook and dress your dishes, always use extra virgin olive oil, prioritizing its raw consumption.
  • Our advice is to take fatty or semi-fatty fish (blue fish) 2 to 3 times a week. Varies the fish: salmon, red mullet, sardines, horse mackerel, bonito, tuna, mackerel, anchovy, etc.
  • Increase the daily consumption of vegetables.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not consume industrial processed products rich in sugars, salt, oils and additives that are harmful to health (cookies, toast, bread, industrial cereals …).
  • It prioritizes the consumption of whole grains and avoids refined flours (white bread, pasta, biscuits …).
  • The techniques of preparation of preference are: cooking, steaming or iron. Do not take fried, breaded, barbecued or barbecues.
  • It is important to perform some activity that improves breathing or lung function, deep breathing exercises, outdoors, yoga ..
  • Perform some relaxing activity such as meditation to regulate stress levels.
  • Eat seated and relaxed. Rest before and after meals especially in chronic lung disease.
References

References

  1. Kawagishi H, Zhuang C (2008) Compounds for dementia from Hericium erinaceum. Drugs of the Future 33, 149-155.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.