Description
A powerful formula delivering a highly absorbable Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) extract to support the your cognition & health of your neurons.*
What Does Our HercinEx MCT™ Formula Contain?
Our HericinEx MCT™ formula consists of:
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus– standardized to 20% polysaccharides)– 410 mg
- Polygala tenuifolia Extract – 80 mg
- MCT Oil Powder – 160 mg
It comes in a cellulose capsule which is suitable for vegans.
Like our other nutraceuticals, our HercinEx MCT™ formula is free from allergens such as gluten, soy, fish, lactose, milk, meat and wheat.
What Is the Recommended Daily Dosage?
We recommend 1 capsule per day or as advised by your healthcare professional. It can be consumed with meals.
What Does the Science Say?
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Known in Latin as Hericium erinaceusor Yamabushiitakeis an edible mushroom featuring prominently across many traditional Asian medicine systems and cuisines. Traditionally, it has been used as a remedy for neurological and cognitive issues.
The traditional use is verified in modern clinical studies, in particular its ability to induce the production of Nerve Growth Factor in the brain and in the peripheral nerve system [1,2]. The Nerve Growth Factor is one of the neurotrophins that play an important role in the protection, reparation & regeneration of neurons.
A study by Mori et al. (2009) on patients with mild onset of cognitive decline showed a significant improvement in cognitive ability amongst patients given a daily dose of Lion’s Mane Mushroom [3].
On a cellular level, Lion’s Mane Mushroom supports the health of neurons by protecting them from oxidative stress, damage from amyloid plaque accumulation and neuronal death [4,5,6,7].
Further to its neuroprotective properties, Hericium erinaceus, can also support a healthy lipid metabolism, the regulation o glucose and enhance the immune system [8,9,10].
Hericium is the cornerstone of our neurosupportive HericinEx MCT formula, extracted from the highest-quality biomass and standardized to 20% polysaccharides.
Polygala tenuifoilia
Polygala tenuifolia is an herb with a rich history of applications in TCM for its cognitive supportive abilities.
The efficacy of Polygala’straditional applications have been verified by the science of today, for example by Park et al. (2002), who note its neuroprotective properties [11]. The authors noted in particular the reduction in the death of neuronal cells in rodents receiving an extract from Polygala. On a molecular level, Polygalareduced neurotoxicity induced by glutamade and toxic metabolites of amyloid precursor proteins).
The herb has also been shown to potentially improve memory [12].
We have enhanced our HericinEx MCT formula with Polygala tenuifolia to boost its neuroprotective properties.
MCT Oil Powder
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) are fatty acids naturally present in many foods. One of the most abundant sources of MCT is coconut oil, containing over 60% of MCT.
Because of their short chain structure, MCTs are quickly absorbed and metabolized by the liver and utilized by the body [13]. They also promote the production of ketones, a favorite source of energy for the brain’s and muscles’ tissues. Consequently, calories from MCTs are normally used more efficiently for energy production than calories from glucose and are therefore less likely to turn into adipose tissue (body fat).
Chemically, MCTs are mainly made up of fatty acids Capric Acid C6, Caprylic Acid C8, Capric Acid C10 and Lauric Acid C12. Caprylic Acid C8 and Capric Acid C10 usually convert faster into ketones (and thus utilized by our mitochondria as an efficient energy source). Our MCT powder extract is based on a combination of these two fatty acids.
In addition to boosting the absorption (bioavailability) of certain compounds, MCTs can have benefits on their own:
- Support and improve cognitive functions [14,15]
- Support atherosclerosis prevention and a healthy lipid metabolism
- Support the immune system; and
- Increase energy levels and physical endurance
Thanks to their rapid transformation into ketones, MCTs can also help to support a leaner body mass.
We have enhanced our HericinEx MCT formula with MCT oil powder to boost its neurosupportive characteristics and intestinal absorbency.
Scientific References & Relevant Research
[1] Kawagishi H., Ando M., Sakomoto H., et al. Hericenones C, D and E, Stimulators of Nerve Growth Factor Synthesis from the Mushroom Hericium Erinaceum. Tetrahedron Lett 199, 32(35) 4561-4
[2] Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, et al. Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 Human Astrocytoma Cells. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2008;31(9):1727-1732.
[3] Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3):367-72.
[4] Kuo HC, Lu CC, Shen CH, et al. Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its isolated erinacine A protection from MPTP-induced neurotoxicity through the ER stress, triggering an apoptosis cascade. J Transl Med. 2016;14:78.
[5] Mori K, Obara Y, Moriya T, Inatomi S, Nakahata N. Effects of Hericium erinaceus on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Biomed Res. 2011;32(1):67-72.
[6] Lee KF, Chen JH, Teng CC, et al. Protective effects of Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its isolated erinacine A against ischemia-injury-induced neuronal cell death via the inhibition of iNOS/p38 MAPK and nitrotyrosine. Int J Mol Sci. 2014;15(9):15073-89.
[7] Cheng JH, Tsai CL, Lien YY, Lee MS, Sheu SC. High molecular weight of polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:170.
[8] Hiwatashi K, Kosaka Y, Suzuki N, et al. Yamabushitake mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) improved lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(7):1447-51.
[9] Liang B, Guo Z, Xie F, Zhao A. Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus in experimental diabetic rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:253.
[10 ]Sheng X, Yan J, Meng Y, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. Food Funct. 2017;8(3):1020-1027.
[11] Park CH, Choi SH, Koo JW, et al. Novel cognitive improving and neuroprotective activities of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow extract, BT-11. J Neurosci Res. 2002;70(3):484-92.
[12] Li Z, Liu Y, Wang L, et al. Memory-Enhancing Effects of the Crude Extract of Polygala tenuifolia on Aged Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:392324.
[13] Babayan, VK. Medium chain fatty acids and esters and their medical and nutritional application. J Am Oil Them Soc. 1981;58:49A.
[14] Hertz L, Chen Y, Waagepetersen HS. Effects of ketone bodies in Alzheimer’s disease in relation to neural hypometabolism, β-amyloid toxicity, and astrocyte function. J Neurochem. 2015;134(1):7-20.
[15] Rebello CJ, Keller JN, Liu AG, Johnson WD, Greenway FL. Pilot feasibility and safety study examining the effect of medium chain triglyceride supplementation in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial. BBA Clin. 2015;3:123-5. Result: Intake of MCT Oil Increased Serum Ketone Bodies and Improved Memory While Intake of Placebo Did Not Show Improvements in Any Cognitive Measure Tested.
