Cordyceps Mushroom: Boost Energy, Endurance, and Support Immune Health
Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, the medicinal compounds in fungi extracts feature in more and more scientific studies. Modern medicine is catching up to what we already know: the Cordyceps Militaris mushroom is an incredible source of energy and stamina.
Cultivating Cordyceps
There are around 400 different species of Cordyceps fungi, and many studies are now investigating the health benefits of this medicinal mushroom. It has been used for hundreds of years in traditional Chinese medicine, believed to treat fatigue, diabetes, kidney disease, and low libido.
Cordyceps militaris is a fascinating mushroom, almost like something out of a sci-fi movie. It’s a parasitic fungi that feeds off insects, taking over the host’s body. This glowing orange fungi resembles coral, with long stems sprouting from the host’s body.
The Cordyceps extracts and supplements available on the market are mostly cultivated using non-animal substrates. For example, we use a fruiting body hot-water extract grown on organic barley – no insects necessary.
Bioactive compounds in Cordyceps
Cordyceps contains bioactive compounds that are showing promising therapeutic effects in studies. One of these is cordycepin, a nucleoside compound similar to adenosine, which is present in all human cells and is essential for energy storage and transfer.
Our bodies can’t tell the difference between cordycepin and adenosine, and cordycepin has been shown to inhibit several biochemical pathways in the human body. Cordycepin supports energy levels, helps to relax blood vessels, regulate heart rate, improve circulation, and lower blood pressure.
Cordycepin exhibits anti-cancer, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory effects. In a 2022 study on mice, researchers showed that cordycepin alleviated systemic inflammation, reduced body weight gain, and improved metabolic health. Another study found that cordycepin suppressed the growth of colon cancer in mice, indicating potential as an immunotherapeutic drug.
While some studies are limited to animal or lab research, many human trials are showing promising results for Cordyceps’ potential health benefits.
The myriad health benefits of Cordyceps militaris
Cordyceps is trusted in alternative medicine as a natural energy booster, improving endurance and stamina and strengthening the immune system. This is one reason it’s used by athletes to boost performance.
Recent research highlights Cordyceps’ capabilities in these areas:
- Increased cellular energy
- Anti-cancer, anti-tumor, and anti-virus activity
- Delayed fatigue during exercise
- Antioxidative, anti-aging, and immunomodulatory effects
- Reduced oxidative stress and upregulated ATP production
- Improved tolerance for high-intensity exercise in young adults
- Supporting cell-mediated immunity in older men
Let’s take a closer look at Cordyceps’ known health benefits…
Improved athletic performance
In the 2020 study, Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance, researchers found that Cordyceps increases ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, improving exercise performance. ATP delivers energy to muscles and enhances aerobic endurance.
A 2017 study from the University of North Carolina showed that daily Cordyceps supplementation increased maximum oxygen intake (VO2 max) in young adults, improving tolerance to high-intensity exercise within three weeks.
Studies on mice suggest Cordyceps may also help combat muscle fatigue, though further research in humans is needed to confirm these effects.
Anti-aging properties
Due to its energy-boosting effects and fatigue reduction, Cordyceps is often used for libido enhancement and its anti-aging properties. The antioxidants in Cordyceps combat cell damage by neutralizing free radicals, which are linked to aging and disease. Cordyceps has also been shown to improve brain function and memory.
Animal studies have indicated that Cordyceps can extend the lifespan of mice. While it’s unknown if it has the same anti-aging benefits in humans, the research is promising.
Anti-tumor effects
Researchers believe Cordyceps can slow the growth of cancer cells, with test-tube studies showing anti-tumor effects on lung cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer, leukemia, colon cancer, and liver cancer.
Studies are also investigating Cordyceps’ potential to help maintain white blood cell counts, which can decrease during cancer treatment, increasing infection risk. Cordyceps shows potential in preventing this side effect.
Diabetes and kidney disease treatment
Cordyceps may help manage type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels, mimicking insulin to control glucose absorption. Over time, high blood glucose can cause severe health issues and impair kidney function, with kidney disease being a common complication of diabetes.
In a study on the hypoglycemic effects of Cordyceps on type 2 diabetes mice, treatment improved glucose regulation, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced damage to the liver, kidneys, and pancreas in the mice.
This review of 22 studies including 1,746 people with chronic kidney disease (not on dialysis) found that those taking Cordyceps supplements showed improved kidney function. Though not conclusive, the findings suggest it may complement conventional treatments.
An exciting future for Cordyceps
With scientific research progressing from animal to human trials, Cordyceps holds promise as an alternative treatment for various health conditions. History shows it sometimes takes time for clinical trials to confirm what centuries of traditional medicine have suggested.
The growing body of clinical evidence marks an exciting step towards a future where energy, endurance, and cellular health can be supported with Cordyceps extract in your daily routine.
