Medicinal mushrooms are gaining traction in the supplements space. Found in powder and capsule forms, they help improve overall health naturally. One of the most popular medicinal mushrooms is Cordyceps.
Cordyceps mushrooms have shown to help improve immunity, boost exercise performance, and aid respiratory conditions.
Index
What Is Cordyceps?
Cordyceps mushrooms, usually referred to as "Himalayan Gold" such as Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps Militaris, are parasitic fungi that grow on insect larvae.
Traditional Chinese Medicine often required collecting and drying insect larvae with Cordyceps stems to improve their health and stamina.
- Interesting Fact: Did you know there are over 400 species of Cordyceps, but Cordyceps Sinensis and Cordyceps Militaris are most notable for their health benefits.
Learn More about Cordyceps Mushrooms and their extended health benefits.
What Are The Two Main Types of Cordyceps?
Cordyceps Sinensis and Cordyceps Militaris have similar chemical and nutrient compositions, which make them share a significant number of functions and health benefits. Regardless, their biggest distinguishing factor is their active compounds.
The fundamental distinction between Cordyceps Sinensis and Cordyceps Militaris is their concentration of adenosine and cordycepin. Studies have shown that Cordyceps Sinensis contains more adenosine than Cordyceps Militaris, but it doesn’t contain cordycepin.
Sinensis
Cordyceps Sinensis Profile
- Cultivation: High-altitude regions like India, Tibet, Nepal, and China.
- Compounds: Higher concentration of adenosine.
- Challenges: Parasitic nature, high demand, and high cost ($20,000 per kilogram!).
Militaris
Cordyceps Militaris Profile
- Cultivation: Lab-grown in a controlled environment.
- Compounds: Contains cordycepin and adenosine.
- Benefits: More affordable, vegan-friendly, and easier to mass-produce.
4 Health Benefits of The Cordyceps Mushroom
Can Boost Athletic Performance
Taking cordyceps can improve ATP production. ATP (or adenosine triphosphate) is the body’s energy currency. The more ATP you have, the more energy you can use, which is important for tough workouts. [1]
Having more ATP can also boost your VO2 max, or your body’s ability to efficiently use oxygen for performance. Higher VO2 max is common in endurance athletes and marathon runners, capable of continuously performing work without fatigue.
May Help Manage Respiratory Disease
One of the most widely recognized utilizations of cordyceps is for respiratory health. The mushroom helps support respiratory infection treatment, improving the lungs' function and overall health.
Cordyceps Magic
- Researcher Report: Cordyceps boosts oxygen absorption in the alveoli, the part of the lungs responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
- Benefits: Compounds in cordyceps also stimulate immunity, thereby protecting the lungs from a respiratory infection. [2]
Did You Know?
- A recent report refers to how cordyceps may assist outpatients with chronic obtrusive pulmonary disorder, or COPD.
- The scientists likewise referenced the mushroom also helped improve patients' lung function, endurance levels, and overall quality of life. [3]
- A study suggests taking Cordyceps could help with asthma. [4]
May Help Improve Kidney Function
Taking cordyceps has been shown to improve kidney function in patients with chronic renal failure and speed recovery in patients with kidney damage. In one study, the fungus lowered creatinine levels in patients with chronic kidney disease or CKD. [5]
Can Help Improve Liver Function
Cordyceps has shown to be able to help restore liver function, especially in patients with Hepatitis B and those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. [6]
How to Use Cordyceps Mushroom Supplements
- Baseline Dose: Start with 2 capsules or 1 gram per day for general wellness. This helps you experience the foundational benefits of Cordyceps.
- Enhanced Dose: For more pronounced effects, please get in touch with us. Our team can help you determine the best approach for your needs.
Curious about how to incorporate Cordyceps into your daily routine?
Here are some ideas:
- Cordyceps Hot Beverage: Add Cordyceps powder to your hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, warm milk, and soup
- Smoothies: Add Cordyceps powder to your favorite smoothie for a nutrient boost.
- Supplements: Take Cordyceps supplements for a convenient way to enjoy its benefits.
What to look out for when purchasing a Cordyceps Mushroom Supplement
Mushroom Checklist
- Key Compounds: Ensure it contains Cordycepin & Adenosine.
- Lab Reports: Verify these active ingredients.
- Quality: The Cordyceps extract should be organic and tested for heavy metals and pesticides.
Note that since mushrooms are a product of their environment and absorb from their surrounding environment, it's imperative that you get organic mushrooms.
If your extracts aren't organic, it could result in the mushrooms containing a high level of unwanted toxins and contaminants.
Incorporate Cordyceps Mushroom Supplements into your routine today!
Side Effects and Safety
- Cordyceps is unsuitable for individuals with hormone-dependent cancers such as prostate and breast due to increased levels of oestrogen and testosterone.
- You should not use these mushroom extracts if you have a mushroom allergy.
- Caution is advised if using mushrooms along with blood thinning medication.
Join the Conversation
Have you tried Cordyceps mushrooms? Share your experiences in the comments below! 💬References
- Ko KM, Leung HY. Enhancement of ATP generation capacity, antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory activities by Chinese Yang and Yin tonifying herbs. Chin Med. 2007 Mar 27;2:3. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-2-3. PMID: 17386115; PMCID: PMC1847515.
- Chen M, Cheung FW, Chan MH, Hui PK, Ip SP, Ling YH, Che CT, Liu WK. Protective roles of Cordyceps on lung fibrosis in cellular and rat models. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Sep 28;143(2):448-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.033. Epub 2012 Jul 13. PMID: 22796203; PMCID: PMC7125542.
- Yu X, Mao Y, Shergis JL, Coyle ME, Wu L, Chen Y, Zhang AL, Lin L, Xue CC, Xu Y. Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Cordyceps sinensis on Stable COPD of GOLD Stages 2-3: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Apr 3;2019:4903671. doi: 10.1155/2019/4903671. PMID: 31073318; PMCID: PMC6470429.
- Zheng Y, Li L, Cai T. Cordyceps polysaccharide ameliorates airway inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model of asthma via TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2020 May;276:103412. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2020.103412. Epub 2020 Feb 7. PMID: 32044448.
- Sun T, Dong W, Jiang G, Yang J, Liu J, Zhao L, Ma P. Cordyceps militaris Improves Chronic Kidney Disease by Affecting TLR4/NF-κB Redox Signaling Pathway. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Mar 31;2019:7850863. doi: 10.1155/2019/7850863. Erratum in: Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Nov 24;2020:1981636. PMID: 31049139; PMCID: PMC6462325.
- Choi HN, Jang YH, Kim MJ, Seo MJ, Kang BW, Jeong YK, Kim JI. Cordyceps militaris alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in ob/ob mice. Nutr Res Pract. 2014 Apr;8(2):172-6. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2014.8.2.172. Epub 2014 Mar 28. PMID: 24741401; PMCID: PMC3988506.
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