In 2009, Alzheimer’s disease was the fifth leading cause of death in Americans over the age of 65.
By 2013, researchers concluded the prevalence of dementia was between five and seven percent for people over the age of 60 worldwide, translating to 35 million people altogether.
This number is expected to rise to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
Researchers from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur responded to this predicament by summarizing the available research on the properties of five different mushrooms that can prevent or reverse the neurodegeneration behind dementia.
Findings:
1. Together with promoting nerve growth, the Lion’s Mushroom may improve sleep quality and anxiety, two symptoms often experienced by dementia sufferers.
2. Maitake mushrooms promote nerve growth, control systolic blood pressure, enhance insulin sensitivity, and control inflammatory cytokines.
3. The caterpillar fungus has strong anti-inflammatory properties and reverses memory loss in rats.
4. The snow mushroom improves the ability of rats to navigate a maze from memory.
Researchers find more evidence that food-based chemicals are effective to a higher reliability than chemicals compounded in a lab.