Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study

Summary & key facts

Researchers gave 13 healthy adults about 3 grams per day of Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane) powder for one week. They took blood tests and analyzed stool samples before and after. After the week of taking the mushroom, the mix of gut bacteria became more diverse. Several bacteria that make short-chain fatty acids — chemicals that can help the gut — went up, while some potentially harmful bacteria went down. The changes in gut bacteria were linked with changes in blood markers like alkaline phosphatase, “bad” cholesterol, uric acid, and creatinine. This was a very small, short study, so it shows short-term shifts in gut bacteria but does not prove lasting health benefits.

Key facts:

• The study included 13 healthy adults with an average age of about 30 years. This means the results come from a very small group of people.
• Participants took 1 gram of Hericium erinaceus powder three times a day for seven days, which is about 3 grams per day. Blood and stool samples were collected before and after that week.
• After the week of taking the mushroom powder, the variety of bacteria within each person’s gut community increased. Higher variety often suggests a more resilient gut community, but this study only shows a short-term change.
• Several bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids increased in amount. These included Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale, Gemmiger formicilis, and others. Short-chain fatty acids are molecules made by gut bacteria that can support gut lining health and energy for some cells.
• Some bacteria that are sometimes linked with illness decreased in amount. These included Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacteroides caccae, and Romboutsia timonensis. A decrease does not automatically mean a health improvement, but it shows the mushroom changed the bacterial mix.
• Changes in the gut bacteria were statistically linked with certain blood chemical markers: alkaline phosphatase (a marker used for liver and bone), low-density lipoprotein or LDL (often called “bad” cholesterol), uric acid (linked to gout and kidney stones), and creatinine (a marker used for kidney function). The study found associations, not proof that the mushroom caused changes in those blood tests.
• The study was short and done in healthy young adults without major health problems. Because it included only about a dozen people and lasted only one week of supplementation, the results are preliminary and need to be tested in larger, longer studies before any health claims can be made.

Abstract

supplementation, potentially influencing beneficial health effects.

Topics

Fungal Biology and Applications Ginseng Biological Effects and Applications Gut microbiota and health

Categories

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Life Sciences Molecular Biology

Tags

Alkaline phosphatase Bacteria Bacteroides Bifidobacterium Bilberry Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Ecology Enzyme Erinaceus Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Fermentation Food science Gene Genetics Gut flora Hedgehog Hericium erinaceus Immunology Lactobacillus Microbiology Microbiome Raw material

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