By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

This week I was asked an interesting drug information question about the mushroom known as Lion’s Mane and its related health benefits.  The first thing that came to my mind was the movie Secondhand Lions.  Not sure why!

The movie was released in 2003 in the comedy-drama genre and starred Robert Duvall. Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment, and Kyra Sedgwick. Haley Joel Osment had the role of the 14-year-old Walter who is left for the summer with his great uncles. It is rumored that the uncles have a secret fortune and are targets for traveling salesmen and relatives looking for money. The uncles are often seen sitting on their porch with shotguns.  

The uncles order a lion, which ends up being a retired circus lioness. The lioness is released by accident and takes to the cornfield.  The lioness defends Walter when he is attacked by his mother’s boyfriend.  The uncles pass away 17 years later in a flying stunt in their biplane. The story is very intriguing as Walter starts to trust his great uncles and ultimately lives with them. 

So back to the question. Is there benefit in natural supplements containing Lion’s Mane?

 

Lion’s Mane is the North American name for the edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus belonging to the tooth fungus group.  The mushroom is well known in China and Japan as a natural remedy.  In China, the mushroom is known as Hou Tou Gu or Monkey’s Head Mushroom.  Yamabushitake is the name used in Japan.  

The mushroom has long spines coming from the body or fruit of the mushroom.  The spines resemble the mane of a lion.  The mushroom likes to grow on dead hardwoods such as oak trees.  The mushroom can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.  

The mushroom is rich in vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3) and the essential minerals of manganese, zinc, and potassium.  Besides being a medicinal supplement, it is used extensively in cooking especially in China.  I found an interesting recipe for Lion’s Mane crab cakes. So why is it more readily available in the United States as capsules and tablets than a food ingredient?

The internet has numerous claims for benefits of the mushroom including one site proclaiming 9 health benefits. The claims include uses for Alzheimer’s disease, depression and anxiety, nervous system injuries, digestive ulcers, reducing heart disease, managing diabetes, fighting cancer, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system.  

Numerous studies have been completed in China evaluating the benefits and components of the mushroom, but the majority are in cells, tissues, test tubes, or animals.  Most of the studies have been done in mice or rat models.  The studies have been ongoing for 20 years.  Tissue and animal studies have shown benefit to some of the claims noted above with a rare human study evaluating treatment.  

One human study evaluated the use of Lion’s Mane in chronic atrophic gastritis (inflammation of the lining and the loss of functional cells).  The study found positive benefits believed to be related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the mushroom.  A very small study evaluated 7 patients with mild cognitive impairment who were given 5 grams (about 1/5 of an ounce) of Hericium erinaceus daily in soup.  Six of the 7 patients showed improvement in cognition based on a Functional Independence Score.  The study was small with no control group.

A second study evaluated 30 patients with mild dementia with half getting Lion’s Mane and the other half getting a placebo pill.  The patients ranged in age from 50 to 80 years old.  Each person in the treatment group received 3 grams daily of the mushroom in a tablet formulation.  The study lasted for 16 weeks and showed an improvement in the mushroom group versus no active treatment.  The beneficial effects lasted up to 4 weeks after the study ended and then their memories started to decline again. This study was also very small and not an extended time frame. 

The early human studies have been small and not as rigorous as dementia studies need to be for a drug submitted to the FDA for approval. The studies lay the groundwork for future investigations.  

Lion’s Mane has some reported side effects including stomach pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and skin rash.  The mushroom may have components that can interact with some common prescription medications including warfarin (Coumadin) for blood clots.  

When evaluating available products to buy, there are some concerns.  Many of the products with Hericium erinaceus contain other ingredients and herbal supplements that are either not effective or have significant side effects. Some of the products contain 500 milligrams of the mushroom, which means the dose to match the human study would require 6 capsules per day.  Many of these products do not provide the source of the mushroom or how it was processed.  The products are expensive.

Before you try the roar of the lion, consult with your healthcare professional to make sure this is a good choice and will not interact with your other medications. 

ONU HealthWise is offering COVID-19 vaccines as well as flu shots Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are available. Clinics are Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Please call the pharmacy for information.

ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784

Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

This week I was asked an interesting drug information question about the mushroom known as Lion’s Mane and its related health benefits.  The first thing that came to my mind was the movie Secondhand Lions.  Not sure why!

The movie was released in 2003 in the comedy-drama genre and starred Robert Duvall. Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment, and Kyra Sedgwick. Haley Joel Osment had the role of the 14-year-old Walter who is left for the summer with his great uncles. It is rumored that the uncles have a secret fortune and are targets for traveling salesmen and relatives looking for money. The uncles are often seen sitting on their porch with shotguns.  

The uncles order a lion, which ends up being a retired circus lioness. The lioness is released by accident and takes to the cornfield.  The lioness defends Walter when he is attacked by his mother’s boyfriend.  The uncles pass away 17 years later in a flying stunt in their biplane. The story is very intriguing as Walter starts to trust his great uncles and ultimately lives with them. 

So back to the question. Is there benefit in natural supplements containing Lion’s Mane?

CONTINUES

Lion’s Mane is the North American name for the edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus belonging to the tooth fungus group.  The mushroom is well known in China and Japan as a natural remedy.  In China, the mushroom is known as Hou Tou Gu or Monkey’s Head Mushroom.  Yamabushitake is the name used in Japan.  

The mushroom has long spines coming from the body or fruit of the mushroom.  The spines resemble the mane of a lion.  The mushroom likes to grow on dead hardwoods such as oak trees.  The mushroom can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.  

The mushroom is rich in vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3) and the essential minerals of manganese, zinc, and potassium.  Besides being a medicinal supplement, it is used extensively in cooking especially in China.  I found an interesting recipe for Lion’s Mane crab cakes. So why is it more readily available in the United States as capsules and tablets than a food ingredient?

The internet has numerous claims for benefits of the mushroom including one site proclaiming 9 health benefits. The claims include uses for Alzheimer’s disease, depression and anxiety, nervous system injuries, digestive ulcers, reducing heart disease, managing diabetes, fighting cancer, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system.  

Numerous studies have been completed in China evaluating the benefits and components of the mushroom, but the majority are in cells, tissues, test tubes, or animals.  Most of the studies have been done in mice or rat models.  The studies have been ongoing for 20 years.  Tissue and animal studies have shown benefit to some of the claims noted above with a rare human study evaluating treatment.  

One human study evaluated the use of Lion’s Mane in chronic atrophic gastritis (inflammation of the lining and the loss of functional cells).  The study found positive benefits believed to be related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the mushroom.  A very small study evaluated 7 patients with mild cognitive impairment who were given 5 grams (about 1/5 of an ounce) of Hericium erinaceus daily in soup.  Six of the 7 patients showed improvement in cognition based on a Functional Independence Score.  The study was small with no control group.

A second study evaluated 30 patients with mild dementia with half getting Lion’s Mane and the other half getting a placebo pill.  The patients ranged in age from 50 to 80 years old.  Each person in the treatment group received 3 grams daily of the mushroom in a tablet formulation.  The study lasted for 16 weeks and showed an improvement in the mushroom group versus no active treatment.  The beneficial effects lasted up to 4 weeks after the study ended and then their memories started to decline again. This study was also very small and not an extended time frame. 

The early human studies have been small and not as rigorous as dementia studies need to be for a drug submitted to the FDA for approval. The studies lay the groundwork for future investigations.  

Lion’s Mane has some reported side effects including stomach pain, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and skin rash.  The mushroom may have components that can interact with some common prescription medications including warfarin (Coumadin) for blood clots.  

When evaluating available products to buy, there are some concerns.  Many of the products with Hericium erinaceus contain other ingredients and herbal supplements that are either not effective or have significant side effects. Some of the products contain 500 milligrams of the mushroom, which means the dose to match the human study would require 6 capsules per day.  Many of these products do not provide the source of the mushroom or how it was processed.  The products are expensive.

Before you try the roar of the lion, consult with your healthcare professional to make sure this is a good choice and will not interact with your other medications. 

ONU HealthWise is offering COVID-19 vaccines as well as flu shots Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are available. Clinics are Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Please call the pharmacy for information.

ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784

By Paula Scott

A high-speed pursuit on I-75 that began in Sidney, Ohio and ended north of Bluffton occurred on the evening of March 21. The Bluffton Police Department issued Nixle alerts notifying residents that suspects had been apprehended. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department has provided additional information.

At 8:23 p.m. an improper lane change resulted in pursuit by Sidney police. Stop sticks caused the vehicle to halt north of the County Road 12 overpass.

There were two occupants in the car, James Bridget and Clif Williams of Michigan. One suspect was apprehended immediately. The other fled on foot, resulting in a search including a helicopter and tracking dog. At 9:32 p.m. the second suspect, who came out with his hands up, was apprehended near a wooded area.

Agencies assisting in the incident include the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol.

END

Earlier this week, the Icon provided a preview of items on the Bluffton Exempted Village School board of eduction agenda for its March 20 meeting. All items requiring board approval, including financial transactions, minutes of the prior meeting and contracts, were passed with unanimous support.

Here we’ll report on some of the discussions not previewed on the meeting’s agenda:

Technology coordinator Mardy Herr reported on three phishing tests of the school staff. Phishing is fraudulent email that appears to be from a reputable source, but in fact seeks to gain wrongful access to confidential information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Herr’s recent test resulted in a 98% success rate. He noted that this was a big improvement over an earlier test that had a 32% failure rate.

Maintenance supervisor Mike Wilson reported on outdoor work to get ready for baseball and softball seasons. This upcoming weekend marks the first Bluffton High School baseball game at Village Park. He said that Monday was the first day of mowing the fields and that “when you take the top brown off, it looks green.” Wilson is also working on plans for improving the turf on Harmon Field. He has plans to fraze mow the field, a technique that helps remove invasive grasses that die back in hot weather. He is consulting with others experience in athletic field maintenance and has a new certification through the Ohio Turf Foundation.

CONTINUES

Middle school principal Josh Kaufmann announced that the school will host a First Responders Breakfast on March 31 in remembrance of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, who was killed in the line of duty on March 31, 2022. The event is an appreciation of the police, fire, EMS and other personnel who put their lives on the on line for their communities.

Superintendent Greg Denecker had two special guests at the meeting to introduce an international partnership being formed with Ogawa High School in Japan. Bluffton High School was invited to be part of the partnership by Hiroaki Kawamura, associate professor and director of Modern Languages at the University of Findlay. Some 24 Bluffton High School students have signed up to be part of this program.

Kawamura and Yuki Miyahara, 2022-23 Ohio Saitama University (OSUS) scholarship recipient at the University of Findlay met with the Bluffton students earlier in the day and provided the board with a presentation on Saitama Prefecture, Ogawa Township and Ogawa High School. A separate report on this presentation will be provided on the Icon.

For the second straight week, Bluffton University senior Bobbi Adams (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) has been named the Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week. It also marks the third consecutive week that a Bluffton softball player has been recognized as an HCAC Player of the Week. Erin Norman (Pleasant Hill/Newton) was named Pitcher of the Week on March 4.

Adams helped the Beavers sweep Heidelberg University on a rainy Thursday afternoon. She went 3-of-6 with two homers and three runs scored. Adams slugged it at a 1.500 clip and finished with a .700 on-base percentage thanks to four unintentional intentional walks, including three free passes in the final three innings of game two.

 

March 22 vs. Wilmington
WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team split a non-conference twin-bill at Wilmington on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Bluffton moved to 8-6, while the Quakers stand 9-5.

Senior Sammi Urban (Troy/Miami East) smacked a leadoff triple to right center in game one and crossed the dish courtesy of a Bobbi Adams (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) RBI groundout. Sophomore Mia McCartney (North Baltimore) made it 2-0 in the first when she scurried home following a wild pitch.

Adams pushed it to 4-0 an inning later with her base knock to center that plated freshmen Kaylee Grant (Lima/Shawnee) and Ashley Kloeker (Troy).

The home team scored a run in the third and Bluffton limited the damage with a 5-3-2 double play to end the inning. Another RBI single by Adams in the fourth put the Beavers up 5-1 midway through the opener.

Wilmington rallied with three runs in the home fifth before Grace Fillinger (Hinckley/Highland) came in with no outs and slammed the door. She worked three scoreless frames, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts en route to her first save of the season.

Adams went 2-of-4 with four RBI. Fellow senior Sydney Zinkon (Fresno/Ridgewood) added two safeties and Urban scored two runs. Erin Norman (Pleasant Hill/Newton) moved to 5-2 after allowing four runs on eight hits in four innings of work.

The Quakers scored all they would need and then some when they put up eight runs in the third inning of the nightcap. Bluffton bounced back with two tallies in the fourth and another in the sixth, but a Wilmington score in the fourth and two in the home sixth ended game two in mercy-rule fashion.

Adams, who finished with four hits on Wednesday, and Julia Tegeder (Hamilton) both rapped two hits in the series finale. Fillinger slipped to 3-2 on the season. She surrendered four runs on four hits while going 2.1 innings in the circle.

Bluffton is off until next Tuesday, March 28, when the Beavers kick off three straight trips to Michigan with a non-conference series at Calvin College. Game one is slated for 3 p.m.

By Ethan Stearns
Sports information assistant, www.BlufftonBeavers.com

March 21 vs. Otterbein
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Bluffton University baseball team lost a Tuesday matchup against a tough Otterbein unit on March 21 by a final score of 5-3. Bluffton fell to 5-6 on the season while Otterbein continued to roll at 13-3.

The game started in favor of the visiting Beavers as freshman Kaden Bowman (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) plated Austin Francis (Troy/Miami East) with a single to left center in the top of the second. The Cardinals quickly responded with two runs in the home half, making the score 2-1.

The top of the third frame saw another Beaver score as sophomore Justin Maurer (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) zipped home on a wild pitch, knotting the game up at two apiece.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth and fifth frames before Bluffton took the lead once again in the sixth when Nick Diana (Batavia/West Clermont) lifted a sacrifice fly to left, sending pinch runner Eddie Hardaway (Englewood/Northmont) across the dish for a 3-2 lead.

Otterbein scored a run in each of the next three innings, while also shutting down the Beavers, in order to clinch the 5-3 victory at the end of a hard-fought duel.

Bowman and Diana each drove in runs for the visitors. Maurer went 3-of-5 at the plate.

Andrew Collinsworth (Westerville/Westerville South) went six innings and allowed three runs on four hits while striking out four and allowing no free passes. Jaden Jaques (New Palestine) took his first loss of the season (0-1) as he tossed one inning and allowed the go-ahead run. Freshman Alexander James (Vandalia/Butler) also saw an inning on the mound, allowing a run with no walks.

The Beavers get a few days to recover before kicking off their HCAC-opening three-game series with Anderson on Saturday, March 25. The first game of a doubleheader will start at approximately noon.

March 20 doubleheader vs. Albion
The Bluffton University baseball team won the first game of a doubleheader against Albion College (9-8) and led 10-3 in the second matchup before it was halted due to impending darkness on Monday, March 20. Game two will resume on Monday, April 10, when the Beavers travel to Albion College. Bluffton improved to 5-5 on the season while Albion fell to 1-11.

The first match of the back-to-back proved to be a very exciting comeback win for the Beavers. The home team fell behind early, allowing four unanswered runs through the first three innings.

Baumgartner, Towell, and Bowman were all on fire with the bat, driving in two runs apiece. Jake Shaver (New London) notched the victory (1-1), allowing only one run on two hits during his two innings on the mound. Darius Boeke (Sidney) cleaned things up and got the save, pitching a shutout ninth inning while striking out two batters.

The second game would be much less of a fight with the Beavers going up 10-3 before play was paused due to darkness. There was a lot of heavy hitting for the home squad as eight of the 10 runs were scored off of homers.

Mauer brought in Baumgartner after hitting a deep ball and then hopping on his high horse for a triple. Mauer would then cross the plate following a sacrifice fly from Francis. Bluffton will take a 10-3 lead into the resumed game.

Towell was scorching on Monday afternoon, going 2-of-4 in game two with two dingers and six RBI. Deitering plated two runs with his home run.  

Jacob Boelkens (Milbury/Lake) tossed five innings, allowing only two runs while striking out six batters. Junior Seth Altman (Hilliard/Davidson) pitched the sixth, allowing one run with one strikeout.

GAHANNA, Ohio, March 21, 2023—This week is Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio. As we officially say goodbye to winter, now is a good time to prepare for the unpredictable storms that often accompany the spring season.

“We’re working to meet customer expectations of providing perfect power,” said Marc Reitter, president and chief operating officer of AEP Ohio. “The frequency of extreme weather brings many challenges to the services we provide. Through a combination of both proactive improvement measures and storm response, we’re ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”

HOW AEP OHIO PREPARES

Ongoing, Preventative Maintenance: From trimming trees away from power lines to updating equipment and adding smart technology, crews work year-round to proactively maintain and improve the system to help prevent possible power outages.

Proactive Monitoring: Our team of meteorologists closely monitors incoming weather, predicting the timing and severity of storms that may cause outages for our customers. Their work helps us better position crews and equipment ahead of the weather to speed up restoration efforts.

Always On: Crews are ready to respond across our service territory. When needed, we partner with other utilities to bring in additional field personnel to restore power. We also implement emergency response protocols and coordinate with local police, fire and other emergency personnel and community partners to help keep you safe. 

HOW YOU CAN PREPARE

Plan Ahead: Identify a safe area ahead of time so everyone knows where to go if severe weather strikes. Include pets in your plan and check with those who are elderly, have health conditions or have young children to make sure they have a plan, too. We strongly encourage customers with life-supporting medical equipment to have a backup power source and an alternate plan in the event of a power outage.

Create an Emergency Kit: At a minimum, include non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio or television, a portable cell phone charging bank, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first aid kit and any necessary medications. Download this checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Prepare Your Property: Secure any loose objects outside of your home such as furniture, umbrellas or trampolines that could become airborne and entangled with our equipment. Should the power go out, unplug electronics and appliances to protect them as power is restored. If you use a generator, make sure you are operating it properly to protect yourself and our lineworkers as they restore power.

Stay Connected: Just like we did for the recent windstorm across the state, we want to keep you informed. To receive the latest information, you can sign up for text alerts, download the AEP Ohio mobile app and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

Be Safe: Remember, all downed lines are dangerous. They carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you encounter a fallen wire, keep yourself and others away, and call 911 or AEP Ohio immediately.

For more information, visit www.AEPOhio.com/Safety/

Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two 
During the 2022 white-tailed deer archery hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Michele Butler, assigned to Erie County, responded to a call from the TIP (Turn-In-A-Poacher) hotline. A deer hunter reported seeing several hunters trespassing on a neighboring property. Officer Butler found a blood trail and tracks that led to a neighboring residence. Officer Butler spoke to the owner of the residence and determined that a buck had recently been harvested but the hunter had not game checked the deer and had retrieved it from the neighboring property without permission.

The individual was charged with hunting deer without permission and failing to complete the game check process. The deer was seized as evidence and the suspect was found guilty of both charges in Erie County Municipal Court and ordered to pay $300 in fines and court costs. Reports of wildlife violations can be submitted anonymously via the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).  

Last summer, State Wildlife Officer Brian Baker, assigned to Lake Erie, participated in the Walleyes for Wounded Heroes event along with other state wildlife officers and the Honor Guard. A total of 100 veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty fished the waters of Lake Erie for walleye aboard the vessels of local and out-of-state volunteers who donated their time and equipment in appreciation of the services provided by these men and women. The event is held annually near Lakeside, Ohio.  

Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four 

State wildlife officers from District Four and District Five came together to work a spotlighting enforcement project in Ross and Highland counties. A vehicle was observed spotlighting deer in Ross County, but before officers could make a stop the vehicle traveled into Highland County, where it was observed spotlighting a second time. Wildlife officers from both districts arrived at the same time and stopped the vehicle, which had three occupants. Two of the men were charged in both Ross and Highland counties with spotlighting and aiding an offender. The third man was identified as a suspect in an unrelated complaint in Ross County and was charged with hunting without permission. The officers seized lights, a crossbow, and two rifles from the vehicle. All three men pleaded guilty in their respective courts and were ordered to pay fines and court costs. One of the men was a repeat wildlife offender and this was his third violation, the second within one year. His hunting license was suspended for one year following the charges.

Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five 
In early March, State Wildlife Officer Brad Turner, assigned to Preble County, State Wildlife Officer Jason Keller, assigned to Warren County, and K-9 Officer Scout attended a two-day Junior Achievement Inspire to Hire conference in northern Kentucky. Wildlife Communications Specialist Kathy Garza-Behr helped organize the Division of Wildlife's portion of the ODNR booth. Fish Management Supervisor Debbie Walters and Outdoor Skills Specialist Jordan Skates also participated in the event, which was attended by thousands of middle and high school students from the Cincinnati area. Junior Achievement's programming allows students to prepare for career-readiness by building professional networks and establishing connections with people involved in their areas of interest. 

Central Ohio – Wildlife District One 
While conducting white-tailed deer investigations, State Wildlife Officer Brad Kiger, assigned to Franklin County, discovered an individual who had bought a hunting license and deer permit after harvesting a deer. Officer Kiger also found that the suspect’s hunting partner did not have a deer permit. The pair was issued summonses for hunting without deer permits and they were each ordered to pay $132 in fines and court costs.  

Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three 
State Wildlife Officers Jason Warren, assigned to Lake Erie, and Ryan Pawlus, assigned to Lake County, participated in a Western Reserve Land Conservancy clean-up event on Grand River. The officers assisted by picking up trash while paddling a large canoe down the state-designated wild and scenic river. The officers filled the canoe with debris and witnessed an eastern chipmunk swim across the river. 

While patrolling during the 2023 white-tailed deer muzzleloader hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Jason Warren, assigned to Lake Erie, received a TIP (Turn-In-A-Poacher) report from Ashtabula County of a hunter using a shotgun. Officer Warren responded to the area and contacted the hunter, who was pursuing deer with a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with one slug. Officer Warren issued the individual a summons for the violation and the suspect paid $305 in fines and costs in Conneaut Municipal Court. Reports of wildlife violations can be submitted anonymously via the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).  

On a clear day with a zoom lens, the Icon spied details on the Town Hall clock tower including the rivets on the Roman numerals, the goose neck lights that illuminate the clock faces at night, a white second hand and a little door to give access to all of the above.