Lion's mane or ginkgo biloba?
Answer
Neither carries an authorised health claim in the UK. Ginkgo has the longer research history and a clearer interaction profile, particularly with anticoagulant medication.
Key takeaways
- Do either carry a claim?
- No. Neither has an authorised health claim in the UK for memory, focus or circulation.
- Which has more research?
- Ginkgo, by a long way, and the results have been mixed enough that no claim was accepted.
- What is the caution?
- Ginkgo has recognised interactions with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication.
Both are unclaimed, for different reasons
Lion's mane has no authorised health claim in the UK because the evidence is early: mostly preclinical with a small number of small human trials.
Ginkgo biloba has none for a different reason. It has been studied extensively over decades, including large trials, and the results were mixed enough that claims submitted for it were not accepted. An absence of data and a body of unconvincing data are different situations that produce the same outcome on a label.
The interaction point
Ginkgo has recognised interactions with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication, and is generally advised against before surgery for the same reason. That is a genuine caution with a mechanism behind it.
Lion's mane has no comparable interaction profile, and the main caution is mushroom allergy. Anyone on prescribed medication should raise either with a GP or pharmacist before starting.
What this site sells and does not
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane is 1500mg mushroom equivalent from a 5 to 1 extract at 13p a day, with no authorised claim attached to it here or anywhere.
Futuro Labs does not make a ginkgo product and no other supplement brand is named on this site. Neither product is being recommended for memory or focus, because no claim exists for either.
The full version
- Lion's mane for rugby playersThe claim position in full.
- Is there a supplement for memory and brain health?Which nutrients do carry cognitive claims, and at what thresholds.
The product
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane is the 1500mg mushroom equivalent one at 13p a day, from a 5 to 1 extract in a vegan capsule, UK made and GMP certified. It carries no authorised health claim.
- 1500mg mushroom equivalent, 5:1 extract
- 50% polyphenols, bulking agent declared
- Vegan capsule, UK made to GMP
- No authorised health claim exists
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Which is better for memory?
Neither carries an authorised claim for memory in the UK.
Why has ginkgo no claim despite the research?
The results were mixed enough that submitted claims were not accepted.
What is the ginkgo caution?
Recognised interactions with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication.
Why does ginkgo have no claim?
It has been studied extensively and the results were mixed enough that submitted claims were not accepted.
Which has fewer cautions?
Lion's mane. Ginkgo has recognised interactions with anticoagulant medication.